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.
2026 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (Conventional)
Press Release: CDFA Now Accepting Proposals for the 20265 SCBGP and Technical Review Committee
2026 Request for Concept Proposals
2026 SCBGP FAAST Concept Proposal Application – due September 11, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. PT
Proposal Supplements
- SCBGP Frequently Asked Questions
- Allowable and Unallowable Costs and Activities Table
- Outcome Measures Supplement
- Procuring Goods and Services
- Budget Template
Attend a free webinar to learn more about the 2025 SCBGP!
One webinar will be offered this year and the presentations will be available to review online. The webinar will be geared toward highlighting key information and changes made to the Request for Concept Proposals and summarizing the other webinars and workshops. To register, please click on the link of the webinar that you would like to attend and select the preferred date and time, then look for a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. 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 AmpliFund and Outcome Measures/Budget Sections | Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. PT | Click here to register |
| Program Office Hours | Wednesday, August 27, 2025, and Wednesday, September 3, 2025 |
8/27: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. 9/3: 2:00 -3:00 p.m. |
Click here to register |
**Additional Assistance Program applicants are welcome to attend the in-person webinarorkshops. Please see schedule above for more information.
| 2026 SCBGP Schedule | |
|---|---|
| Phase I: Concept Proposal | |
| Release Request for Concept Proposals | August 14, 2025 |
| Webinars | August 20, 2025 – September 3, 2025 |
| Concept Proposals Due | September 11, 2025, 5:00 p.m. PT via FAAST AmpliFund |
| Additional Assistance Program Applications Due | September 20, 2023, 5:00 p.m. PT via email (grants@cdfa.ca.gov) |
| Phase II: Concept Proposal | |
| Invitation to submit Grant Proposals | December 2025 |
| Grant Proposals due | January 2026 |
| Grant Proposals to USDA for approval | May 2026 |
| Award | |
| Announce and award funding | Fall 2026 |
The 2025 SCBGP solicitation is currently closed.
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