Specialty Crop Research Initiative

The Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) program is a competitive grants program that supports research and extension projects to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry. The program aims to promote collaboration, open communication, and the exchange of information to accelerate the application of scientific discovery and technology. The program has five focus areas, including research in plant breeding, genetics, and genomics, efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases, and methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control, and respond to potential food safety hazards. The program offers three project types: Coordinated Agricultural Projects (CAPs), Standard Research and Extension Projects (SREPs), and Research and Extension Planning Projects. Key aspects of the program include: * Addressing critical needs of the specialty crop industry * Promoting collaboration and open communication * Accelerating the application of scientific discovery and technology * Supporting research and extension projects * Fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in research and extension efforts * Encouraging international partnerships and engagement * Providing funding for project costs, including indirect costs * Requiring matching funds from non-Federal sources * Evaluating applications based on industry relevance, stakeholder support, and project outcomes.