Opportunity Information: Apply for RD RBS 26 01 FIELDS
The Fertilizer Investment and Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program is a competitive federal grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Its core goal is to expand, restart, or newly build independent domestic fertilizer production so U.S. farmers have more reliable, homegrown fertilizer options. The program is aimed at strengthening the overall fertilizer supply chain in the United States by supporting projects that create a meaningful increase in domestic manufacturing capacity and improve availability of fertilizer products.
FIELDS funding is intended for real, capacity-building investments rather than planning-only efforts. Projects that fit the program include expansions or upgrades to existing U.S. fertilizer facilities, construction of new domestic production facilities, and shovel-ready projects that can move quickly to increase domestic supply. The program can also support on-site fertilizer terminals and related transportation or logistics infrastructure when those additions improve supply chain efficiency, such as helping move product more reliably from production sites to customers and reducing bottlenecks. The emphasis throughout is on tangible outcomes: more domestic production capacity, faster or more dependable distribution, and stronger resilience against disruptions in the fertilizer market.
A Notice of Funding Opportunity update dated 7/7/2026 made several important changes and clarifications. First, the maximum award size for competitive, cost-share grants increased from up to $100 million to up to $150 million per award, indicating the agency is willing to support larger-scale projects with substantial impact. Second, the agency clarified its expectation for the number of awards, stating that approximately 10 awards are anticipated. Third, the updated notice added a restriction related to how funds may be used: pre-development costs cannot be the primary use of funds, which aligns with the program's existing limitation on using grant funds as working capital. In other words, applicants should be prepared to show that the bulk of requested funding will go toward construction, equipment, upgrades, and other direct activities that expand capacity, rather than early-stage development or general business operating needs.
The update also modified eligibility-related language in the "Other Eligibility Requirements" section. Specifically, it removed a line referencing compliance with packaging and labeling requirements (including equipment like sealing, packaging, boxing, labeling, conveying, and product moving equipment). This removal does not necessarily eliminate legal compliance obligations, but it does mean that particular phrasing is no longer part of the NOFO's listed eligibility requirements. In addition, the update clarified documentation requirements for Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs): USDA will accept ANC-provided documents showing legal authority to control or manage ANC fee lands in place of a Tribal Government Resolution of Consent, which can make it easier for certain ANC-led projects to document site control and proceed.
In terms of who can apply, the eligible applicant pool is broad and includes Tribes and Tribal entities, Alaska Native Corporations, for-profit entities and corporations, non-profit entities, producer-owned cooperatives and corporations, certified benefit corporations, and state or local government entities. This breadth suggests USDA is trying to encourage proposals from across the fertilizer value chain, including private manufacturers, cooperative ventures tied to producers, and public or quasi-public entities that may be positioned to build enabling infrastructure or support regional supply resilience.
Key administrative details include the opportunity number RD RBS 26 01 FIELDS and CFDA number 10.383. The instrument is a discretionary grant. The application closing date listed is August 17, 2026. The award ceiling is $150,000,000, and approximately 10 awards are expected. Overall, FIELDS is designed for applicants with projects that are ready to move beyond concept stage and can credibly demonstrate that the investment will materially increase U.S.-based fertilizer production and/or remove supply chain constraints that limit fertilizer availability to agricultural producers.Apply for RD RBS 26 01 FIELDS
- The Rural Business-Cooperative Service in the business and commerce sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.383.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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FIELDS Program (USDA) - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the FIELDS Program?
The Fertilizer Investment and Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program is a competitive federal grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Business-Cooperative Service. Its central purpose is to expand, restart, or newly build independent domestic fertilizer production so U.S. farmers have more reliable, U.S.-based fertilizer options.
What is the main goal of FIELDS funding?
The program is aimed at strengthening the U.S. fertilizer supply chain by supporting projects that create a meaningful increase in domestic manufacturing capacity and improve the availability of fertilizer products. The emphasis is on tangible, capacity-building outcomes rather than planning-only activity.
What kinds of projects does FIELDS support?
FIELDS supports real investments that increase domestic fertilizer capacity and/or improve supply chain reliability. Examples described in the opportunity include:
- Expansions or upgrades to existing U.S. fertilizer facilities
- Construction of new domestic fertilizer production facilities
- Restarting domestic fertilizer production in a way that increases supply
- Shovel-ready projects that can move quickly to increase domestic supply
- On-site fertilizer terminals and related transportation/logistics infrastructure when they improve supply chain efficiency (for example, reducing bottlenecks and moving product more reliably from production to customers)
Is FIELDS meant for planning studies or early concept development?
No. The program is intended for capacity-building investments rather than planning-only efforts. The notice update also states that pre-development costs cannot be the primary use of funds, reinforcing that requested funding should primarily support direct, tangible work like construction, equipment, upgrades, and other activities that expand capacity.
Can grant funds be used primarily for pre-development costs?
No. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) update dated 7/7/2026 added a restriction stating that pre-development costs cannot be the primary use of funds. Applicants should be prepared to show that most of the requested budget is for direct capacity-building activities.
Can FIELDS grant funds be used as working capital?
The program includes an existing limitation on using grant funds as working capital, and the NOFO update aligns with that position. In practical terms, applicants should expect to justify that funds are going mostly toward construction, equipment, facility upgrades, and other direct buildout activities rather than general operating needs.
Does FIELDS support supply chain and logistics improvements, or only manufacturing?
It supports both, as long as the result is stronger domestic supply and improved availability. The program can support on-site fertilizer terminals and transportation/logistics infrastructure when those additions improve supply chain efficiency, such as reducing bottlenecks and improving reliable movement of fertilizer from production sites to customers.
What outcomes does USDA emphasize for FIELDS projects?
The opportunity emphasizes tangible outcomes such as increased domestic fertilizer production capacity, faster or more dependable distribution, and stronger resilience against disruptions in the fertilizer market.
Who is eligible to apply for the FIELDS Program?
The eligible applicant pool described is broad and includes:
- Tribes and Tribal entities
- Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs)
- For-profit entities and corporations
- Non-profit entities
- Producer-owned cooperatives and corporations
- Certified benefit corporations
- State or local government entities
What documentation clarification was made for Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs)?
The 7/7/2026 NOFO update clarified that USDA will accept ANC-provided documents showing legal authority to control or manage ANC fee lands in place of a Tribal Government Resolution of Consent. This change is intended to make it easier for certain ANC-led projects to document site control and proceed.
What change was made regarding packaging and labeling language in eligibility requirements?
The NOFO update modified language in the "Other Eligibility Requirements" section by removing a line referencing compliance with packaging and labeling requirements (including equipment such as sealing, packaging, boxing, labeling, conveying, and product moving equipment). The removal means that particular phrasing is no longer listed as an eligibility requirement in the NOFO, though it does not necessarily eliminate any separate legal compliance obligations.
Is FIELDS a competitive grant program?
Yes. FIELDS is described as a competitive federal grant opportunity.
What is the grant instrument type?
The instrument is a discretionary grant.
What is the maximum award amount under the updated NOFO?
The 7/7/2026 update increased the maximum award size for competitive, cost-share grants from up to $100 million to up to $150 million per award. The award ceiling listed is $150,000,000.
How many awards does USDA expect to make?
The updated notice states that approximately 10 awards are anticipated.
What is the application deadline?
The application closing date listed is August 17, 2026.
What are the program and opportunity identification numbers?
The opportunity number is RD RBS 26 01 FIELDS, and the CFDA number is 10.383.
What does USDA mean by "shovel-ready" in this context?
Within the information provided, "shovel-ready" refers to projects that can move quickly into implementation to increase domestic fertilizer supply. The program focus suggests applicants should be ready to execute tangible buildout steps that expand capacity, rather than remaining at the concept or planning stage.
What kinds of applicants does USDA appear to be trying to attract?
Based on the broad eligibility list and the focus on strengthening the fertilizer supply chain, the program appears intended to attract proposals from across the fertilizer value chain, including private manufacturers, producer-owned cooperative ventures, and public or quasi-public entities that can build enabling infrastructure or support regional supply resilience.
What should an applicant be prepared to demonstrate to be competitive?
The opportunity description indicates applicants should be prepared to credibly demonstrate that their project is ready to move beyond the concept stage and that the investment will materially increase U.S.-based fertilizer production capacity and/or remove supply chain constraints that limit fertilizer availability to agricultural producers.
What was the significance of the 7/7/2026 NOFO update?
The update made several key changes and clarifications, including increasing the maximum award to $150 million, clarifying that approximately 10 awards are expected, adding the restriction that pre-development costs cannot be the primary use of funds, removing specific packaging/labeling phrasing from listed eligibility requirements, and clarifying acceptable site-control documentation for Alaska Native Corporations.
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