Submit Applications for SARE Graduate Student Grant Program

The program will also help prepare young professionals to work together with other scientists, educators and farmers to test sustainable AG theories in real-world, on-farm situations.

Areas of Research 

• Research projects must focus on sustainable agriculture and cover issues related to improving the profitability of farmers/ranchers in the Southern region;
• Sustaining and improving the environmental quality and natural resources base on which agriculture depends; or
• Enhancing the quality of life for farmers and ranchers and the communities they support.
• Research projects can be quantitative (component field research, for example) or qualitative (research that addresses social science issues).

Funding Information

• Graduate Student Grant project maximums are $22,000 for two-year projects.

Eligible Expenses

• Graduate Student Grant funds may be used for the following purposes:
  • Materials and supplies needed for the project, including software. The materials and supplies must remain within the scope of the project and be a reasonable request relative to the research being conducted.
  • Costs of sampling and data analysis, either in the lab or in the field.
  • The purchase of equipment. Any equipment obtained becomes the property of the university that funded the graduate student grant.
  • The rental of equipment or operating charges.
  • Temporary irrigation and electric fences.

Ineligible Expenses

• Graduate Student Grant funds may not be used for the following purposes:
  • Graduate student stipends, or any other funding the graduate student is receiving to fund his/her education.
  • Preparation of thesis copy or dissertation copy.
  • Salary for the major professor or advisor listed as PI on the project. Funds are for the support of the graduate student on the project.
  • Journal publication costs.
  • Purchase of classroom books.
  • Payment of tuition.

Eligibility Criteria

• Master’s and PhD students enrolled at accredited institutions in the Southern region are invited to apply for Graduate Student Grants. A graduate student may receive only one Graduate Student Grant during his or her graduate student program.
• Graduate Student Grant proposals must meet the following basic requirements in order to be considered for funding:
  • Graduate students must be enrolled full time, according to the institution’s requirements, at an accredited institution in the Southern region at the time of proposal submission. International students are welcome to apply as long as they are enrolled at an institution in the Southern region. Institutions can be from within the land-grant system (1862 or 1890 universities), or other colleges and universities outside of the land-grant system.
  • Graduate Student Grant projects must address sustainable agriculture issues of current and potential importance to the Southern region.
  • The proposed project satisfies the requirements of allowable expenses.

For more information, visit SARE.