New!
Are you eligible for the SCBGP?
- Specialty crops are fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.
- Eligible entities include:
- Non-profit and for-profit organizations
- Local, state, and federal government entities, including Tribal governments (federally and non-federally recognized)
- Public or private colleges and universities
- Individuals are not eligible to apply.
- Projects must benefit the specialty crop industry as a whole; projects designed to primarily benefit one or more individuals or organizations are not eligible.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) conducts an annual competitive solicitation process to award Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds to projects that enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops. Specialty crops are fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture). For a list of eligible and ineligible commodities, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service website.
For a description of projects awarded, visit the Awards page.
Please sign up for our email list if you would like to be notified of future SCBGP funding opportunities.
2027 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (Conventional)
2027 Request for Concept Proposals
2027 SCBGP GOATS Concept Proposal Application - due September 21, 2026, by 9:00 a.m. PT
Proposal Supplements
- GOATS Platform User Guide
- SCBGP Frequently Asked Questions
- Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities Table
- Procuring Goods and Services
Attend a free webinar to learn more about the 2027 SCBGP!
A webinar will be offered this year. To register, please click on the link of the webinar then look for a confirmation email containing information on how to join during the date and time listed below. Presentation materials will be provided in the Handouts section via GoToWebinar at the start of the webinar session. If you have any questions regarding the webinar, please email grants@cdfa.ca.gov.
| Concept Proposal Workshop and Webinar Schedule | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Date | Time | Registration |
| Webinar: Solicitation Process; Concept Proposal Application and GOATS User Platform | Monday, August 31, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT | Registration |
| Program Office Hours | Friday, September 4, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. -1:00 p.m. | Registration |
| Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 12:00 p.m. -1:00 p.m. | Registration | |
**Additional Assistance Program applicants are welcome to attend the webinar and office hours. Please see schedule above for more information.
| 2027 SCBGP Schedule | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phase I: Grant Proposal | ||
| Release Request for Concept Proposals | August 24, 2026 | |
| Webinars/Office Hours | August 31, 2026 – September 10, 2026 | |
| Concept Proposals Due | September 21, 2026, 9:00 a.m. PT via Salesforce | |
| Phase II: Concept Proposal (by invitation only) |
||
| Invitation to submit Grant Proposals | December 2026 | |
| Grant Proposals due | January 2027 | |
| Grant Proposals to USDA for approval | May 2027 | |
| Award | ||
| Announce and award funding | Fall 2027 | |
2027 SCBGP Technical Review Committee
The Technical Review Committee is comprised of volunteers with knowledge and expertise regarding California’s specialty crop industry. The committee reviews, evaluates, and makes recommendations to CDFA on proposals submitted for funding to California’s SCBGP.
Interested individuals must submit a completed application form and a copy of their résumé/Curriculum Vitae to grants@cdfa.ca.gov .
2027 Technical Review Committee Application - due September 25, 2026, by 9:00 a.m. PT
- Technical Review Committee Instructions
- Technical Review Committee Application Form 1.1.2
- Technical Review Committee Application Appendix A Form 1.1.2a
| 2027 SCBGP Timeline – Application period is OPEN | ||
|---|---|---|
| TRC Applications Due | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Announce TRC Members | Oct 8, 2026 | |
| TRC Webinar | Oct 8, 2026 | |
| Begin TRC Concept Proposal Reviews | Oct 8, 2026 | |
| TRC Concept Proposal Reviews Due | Oct 27, 2026 | |
| TRC Phase I Meeting - Virtual | Nov 3-5, 2026 | |
| TRC Phase II Meeting - In person | March 9, 2027 | |
| Announce and award funding | Fall 2027 | |
2027 SCBGP Additional Assistance for Historically Underrepresented Organizations (Additional Assistance) Program
The intent of the Additional Assistance Program is to provide a process through which organizations that have been historically underrepresented in the SCBGP can participate and successfully implement their SCBGP projects. Eligibility for the Additional Assistance Program includes non-profit organizations, Tribal governments (federally and non-federally recognized), and K-12 school districts that have not previously received SCBGP funding, do not have technical expertise with grant writing, and who work directly in either supporting underserved and beginning farmers or providing nutrition education and/or access to specialty crops in underserved communities.
Applicants are eligible to receive technical assistance on the Additional Assistance Program. CDFA will be releasing the Request for Proposals in November.
Alert: Possible Scam
CDFA Grant Notifications Requesting Payment in Exchange for Grant Awards
CDFA has been made aware of numerous scams soliciting payment from applicants to award grants. CDFA does not charge fees for application or administration of grants and awards are never made based on payments from applicants. If you believe you may be a victim of this effort, you are encouraged to contact your local law enforcement (Police or Sheriff's Department).
Program Status
Updates by Text/Email
Grant Resources
Additional Links
Contact Us
Office of Grants Administration
1220 N Street
Sacramento, California 95814
Tel: (916) 657-3231
grants@cdfa.ca.gov