2026 RFP: Resilient Agriculture Finance and Insurance Research Collaborative
Overview
The Resilient Agriculture Finance and Insurance Research Collaborative—a joint initiative of Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), and the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability—invites proposals for research projects that will advance finance and insurance solutions that boost resilience to extreme weather and promote natural resource conservation in U.S. agriculture.
The purpose of this program is to accelerate the development of finance and insurance innovations that enable farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses to invest in practices, technologies, and production systems that improve resilience to extreme weather and strengthen the natural systems that contribute to resilience, including soils and groundwater.
Successful proposals will:
- Address key research priorities for farmers and ranchers, university researchers, agricultural lenders, and crop insurers.
- Generate actionable insights for financial and insurance institutions that can be translated into new business practices, tools, or policies by 2028.
- Involve engagement with one or more financial institutions or insurers in the research design process to help translate insights into impact.
- Demonstrate how your work will influence the financial and insurance sectors.
The Research Collaborative is structured to leverage the complementary strengths of each partner:
- EDF contributes expertise in sustainable agriculture finance and insurance and private sector engagement.
- Cornell Atkinson contributes a proven ability to move research to action through projects and partnerships.
- FFAR contributes matching research funds and leadership in agricultural innovation.
RFP Timeline
- December 11, 2025: Informational webinar (Watch recording)
- January 2026: Intake Form deadline
- February – March: Partnership building and matchmaking
- March 26, 1-2 p.m. ET: LOI / RFP Informational Webinar (Register)
- April 22, 5 p.m. ET: Letter of Intent (LOI) due (Submit online)
- May: LOI feedback provided and invitations sent for full proposals
- June 27, 5 p.m. ET: Full proposals due
(By invitation only. Late or incomplete proposals will not be accepted.) - August: Grantee awards notification
- September: Funds available
- November: Latest project start date
Applicant Eligibility
The Research Collaborative welcomes proposals from research teams that integrate scientific rigor with applied innovation to influence financial and insurance systems that shape the resilience of U.S. agriculture.
Who Can Apply
- The research collaborative invites proposals led by academic institutions and encourages applications from land-grant universities or including land-grant institutions as a core partner.
- Co-PIs and collaborators may include universities, nonprofits, private-sector partners, or other organizations with the capacity to conduct applied research.
- Successful applications will involve engagement with one or multiple financial institutions or insurers.
- Projects must focus on U.S. agriculture.
Each proposal must designate a Lead Principal Investigator and clearly describe the roles of all co-PIs, collaborators, and partner organizations. Projects are expected to co-design research questions with at least one industry partner (e.g., lender, insurer, agribusiness) to ensure the findings are actionable. Interested researchers will be invited to virtual and in-person meetings designed to facilitate connections with private sector partners.
How Funding Works
All proposals are submitted through a single process. The research collaborative partners–Cornell Atkinson, EDF, and FFAR–will determine the appropriate funding source for each selected project based on institutional eligibility and project scope.
- Projects led by Cornell Atkinson Faculty Fellows may receive support directly from Cornell Atkinson.
- Projects led by other U.S.-based institutions may receive support from EDF or FFAR.
- While not required, applicants are encouraged to leverage private sector contributions, foundation grants, or institutional cost share where possible.
- Private sector partner engagement can include advising the project, sharing datasets, and contributing match funding.
Priority Themes
Projects should align with one or more of the following themes:
- Financing Transition to Resilient Practices: Evaluating return-on-investment timelines and characteristics of resilient practices, and comparing differences in return, risk, and producer attributes between adopters and non-adopters of these practices. Projects under this theme should inform agricultural lending solutions for resilient agriculture.
- Aligning Resilient Practices with Risk and Insurance Outcomes: Assessing how resilient practices affect yield stability, risk profiles, and crop insurance outcomes, including probability and depth of loss. Projects under this theme should provide evidence to design insurance solutions that reflect the impact of resilient practices.
- Valuing Resilience in Farmland and Mortgage Markets: Analyzing how the value of resilient practices is reflected in farmland and mortgage markets, through factors such as land price appreciation, increased collateral value, and improved loan repayment capacity. Projects under this theme should inform solutions that capture these effects in appraisals and loan underwriting.
Achieving these themes could include developing (1) Data and Decision Tools: Building datasets and tools that improve risk assessment and inform lending and insurance solutions, and (2) Private sector frameworks: Developing strategies and frameworks to integrate research findings into business operations.
Projects outside the listed themes may be considered only if they clearly contribute to advancing resilient agriculture through financial or insurance mechanisms. Applicants are encouraged to contact program staff if unsure about alignment.
This grant program will NOT fund:
- Research and topics outside the U.S;
- Projects focused on forestry or aquaculture;
- Political organizations, action groups, candidates, or lobbying efforts;
- Religious organizations for religious purposes;
- Salary or wage support for staff or administrative personnel other than what might be needed for administration of specific programs or projects;
- Capital or building campaigns;
- Construction;
- Advocacy programs;
- Recurring external meetings, conferences, or workshops;
- Recurring external fundraising dinners, galas, and events;
- Outreach, community, or education activities without a research component;
Funding Tracks
Two-Track Approach: From Research to Impact
To support a diverse range of project types and readiness levels, the RFP offers two distinct funding tracks—the Research Track and the Impact Track. All projects must include a research component, regardless of track. Applicants should select the track that best matches their project’s maturity, using the table below as a guide.
Project Maturity and Readiness Scale
(click image to enlarge)
Research Track: Early-Stage Discovery, Development, and Prototyping
The Research Track supports early- to mid-stage projects that advance scientific understanding with the potential for future application. These efforts focus on generating new knowledge, developing or testing methods or tools, and/or producing data that will ultimately enable future private sector implementation. Projects must include an industry partner to ensure practical relevance and potential for future uptake. Teams should be able to articulate the likely pathway(s) by which the outputs and outcomes of this project will influence the financial and insurance sectors.
Ideal for:
- Foundational research;
- Modeling and early-stage tool design;
- Or Collaborative planning or proof-of-concept pilots.
Expected deliverables may include:
- Peer-reviewed publications or preprints
- Datasets, code packages, or models
- Conceptual frameworks or analytical tools
- Pilot results with potential for future testing
Impact Track: Deployment, Private Sector Influence, and Real-World Integration
The Impact Track supports mature projects that are ready to move research into action via stakeholder engagement, field application, or private sector integration. These projects retain a strong research focus but emphasize real-world testing, adoption, and measurable outcomes.
Ideal for:
- Implementation-ready tools or strategies;
- Private sector-relevant insights and guidance;
- Stakeholder field trials.
- Note: Focus is on action, integration, or uptake by private sector partners or institutions
Expected deliverables may include:
- Private sector frameworks, implementation plans;
- Tools tested or adopted by private sector partners;
- Evidence of behavioral or financial system change;
- Reports on measurable environmental, social, or economic outcomes
Funding Levels and Structure
| Track | Project Duration | Funding Range | Notes |
| Research Track | Up to 18 months | $25,000 – $75,000 | Targeted at exploratory or proof-of-concept efforts. |
| Impact Track | Up to 2 years | Up to $140,000 | Designed for deployment, stakeholder update, or private sector influence. |
Notes:
- Funding is expected to support a mix of small and large projects. We anticipate 3–6 awards total across both tracks.
- Projects may be funded by Cornell Atkinson, EDF, or FFAR, depending on eligibility and funder alignment.
How to Apply
All applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) through the online submission form. Only applicants who submit an LOI by the deadline are eligible to be invited to submit a full proposal.
Letter of Intent Submission
Letters of Intent are required for all applicants. Submitting an LOI ensures your eligibility to submit a full proposal, but the LOI is not a screening stage. LOIs help the funding partners understand project interest, identify potential collaborations, and provide feedback that can strengthen full proposals.
LOI Content:
- Lead collaborator names and bios (university + partners)
- Project title (≤150 characters)
- Priority theme alignment
- Funding Track (Research / Implementation)
- Problem statement
- Short project description (aims, rationale, activities, and pathway to impact)
Deadline:
Submit LOIs by 5 p.m. on April 22, 2026 using the online LOI form. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Full Proposal Submission (Invitation Only)
Only applicants who submit an LOI and are invited to the next stage may submit a full proposal. Detailed instructions and templates will be provided upon invitation.
Full proposals should be submitted as a single PDF (maximum 3 pages, 11-point font, 1-inch margins, single-spaced), plus budget files.
Proposal Narrative Content:
- Abstract (100–125 words)
- Problem Statement
- Research Context
- Implementation Strategy
- Deliverables
- Milestones and Timeline
- Collaboration Plan
- Long-term Impact and Sustainability
Budget and Justification
- Use the provided templates for the budget and justification.
- Budget requirements may vary by funder. Templates will be provided to invited applicants.
Selection Process
Proposals will be reviewed by an expert committee managed by FFAR, with contributions from EDF and Cornell Atkinson, as well as researchers and private sector representatives.
Evaluation criteria will include:
- Relevance to research priorities and resilience objectives.
- Scientific rigor and novelty.
- Pathway to implementation with lenders/insurers.
- Quality of the team and the collaboration plan.
- Feasibility of budget and timeline.
- Alignment with cross-sector collaboration goals, including evidence of private-sector engagement in project design and implementation.
Awardee Responsibilities
- Submit progress reports and final reports against stated success metrics.
- Acknowledge Cornell Atkinson, EDF, and FFAR in outputs.
- Engage with Research Collaborative events and knowledge exchange activities.
- Participate in future proposal review panels.
Data Sharing / IP Issues
Applicants should consider early conversations with data partners regarding access and sharing of private sector datasets. Cornell-based PIs may consult with OSP regarding non-financial agreements or data-use protocols.
Note: All funded projects must comply with the data-sharing and intellectual property policies of their home institutions and funding source.
Communications and Visibility
Awardees are expected to support communications efforts by providing short project updates and summaries on a regular basis, as well as participating in collaborative events.
More Information
Stay Informed
Upcoming events include:
- FAQ Webinar
- Recordings and FAQs will be posted online after each session.
Get Help
Most successful proposals are the result of early engagement. We strongly encourage applicants to attend at least one information webinar and to contact the program team with questions before submitting their LOI. For eligibility, partnership, or funding questions, contact:
- Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability: Alan Martinez, (amartinez@cornell.edu)
- Environmental Defense Fund: Vincent Gauthier (vgauthier@edf.org)
- Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research: Allison Thomson, (athomson@foundationfar.org) or Sarah Zoubek (szoubek@foundationfar.org)
All inquiries must be submitted by email. We strive to respond to inquiries within three business days, but our response time depends on the volume of questions we receive and the complexity of the questions asked. Please note that we do not monitor mailboxes in the evenings, weekends, or federal holidays.