Minnesota Department of Agriculture - AFREC Research Proposals Fiscal Year 2027 Grant - 2027
Minnesota Department of Agriculture | State of MinnesotaState · Saint Paul, MN- Due
- Nov 25, 2026
- 27 days left
- Posted
- Oct 12, 2026
- Contract term
- 3 years
- Primary contact
- Aicam Laacouri
- (651) 201-6487
The 30-second brief
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture seeks applications for the Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) grants to advance soil fertility research, technology development, and education. Approximately $1,400,000 is available from fertilizer sales to fund 15 to 25 projects starting in April 2027 with a maximum duration of three years. Priority areas include soil health and productivity, secondary crop fertilizer recommendations, literature reviews on sugarbeet production, data mining for AI nutrient management, manure management BMP scoping documents, and soybean/corn micronutrient and biofertilizer evaluations. Applications are due by November 25, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. CT via the Foundant online application system. Questions must be submitted in writing by November 4, 2026.
Relation to Council priorities 20, Technical soundness and scientific merit 15, Capabilities of investigator and collaborators 10, Economic impact on expected return 10, Outreach component and networking abilities 15, Overall rating relative to other new projects 10, Relevance and transferability to Minnesota agriculture 10, Presentation and responses 10, Preference for targeting businesses, economically disadvantaged businesses, or veteran-owned small businesses 6 bonus points
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Summary
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture seeks applications for the Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) grants to advance soil fertility research, technology development, and education.
Approximately $1,400,000 is available from fertilizer sales to fund 15 to 25 projects starting in April 2027 with a maximum duration of three years. Priority areas include soil health and productivity, secondary crop fertilizer recommendations, literature reviews on sugarbeet production, data mining for AI nutrient management, manure management BMP scoping documents, and soybean/corn micronutrient and biofertilizer evaluations. Applications are due by November 25, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. CT via the Foundant online application system. Questions must be submitted in writing by November 4, 2026.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
11- Relation to Council priorities 20
- Technical soundness and scientific merit 15
- Capabilities of investigator and collaborators 10
- Economic impact on expected return 10
- Outreach component and networking abilities 15
- Overall rating relative to other new projects 10
- Relevance and transferability to Minnesota agriculture 10
- Presentation and responses 10
- Preference for targeting businesses
- Economically disadvantaged businesses
- Veteran-owned small businesses 6 bonus points
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
Letter of commitment from all partners, Letters of support from collaborators
- Submit to
- https://mda.state.mn.us/afrec
- Duration
- 36 months
- Scope location
- St. Paul, MN
- Reported agency
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from Minnesota Department of Agriculture | State of Minnesota?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is November 25, 2026. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: https://mda.state.mn.us/afrec. For questions, contact Aicam Laacouri.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including Minnesota Department of Agriculture | State of Minnesota in MN, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Aicam Laacouri at (651) 201-6487. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Relation to Council priorities 20, Technical soundness and scientific merit 15, Capabilities of investigator and collaborators 10, Economic impact on expected return 10, Outreach component and network..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from Minnesota Department of Agriculture | State of Minnesota?
All active and historical solicitations from Minnesota Department of Agriculture | State of Minnesota are tracked and searchable. As a state agency, Minnesota Department of Agriculture | State of Minnesota regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What is the contract term for this solicitation?
The anticipated contract term is 3 years. Contract terms may include renewal options.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of November 25, 2026, this solicitation appears to still be accepting submissions. Deadlines may change through amendments or addenda, so always verify the current status directly with the issuing agency before preparing your response.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Letter of commitment from all partners, Letters of support from collaborators. Review the full document from Minnesota Department of Agriculture | State of Minnesota for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: St. Paul, MN. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.