The 2027 ERME NOFO - Now Open!

2027 ERME Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

The North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center, in conjunction with the Northeast, Southern and Western regional ERME Centers announces competitive funding opportunities for educational projects designed to help farmers, ranchers, and producers improve their economic viability through targeted risk management strategies.  The Center expects to award grants subject to funding availability through three program areas – Risk Management Education Projects, Underutilization of Crop Insurance Projects, and Exploratory Projects.

Risk Management Education Projects
This funding opportunity focuses on educational projects designed to help agricultural producers improve their economic viability through targeted risk management strategies. Proposed educational programming must address at least one of the five areas of risk: production, marketing, financial, legal or human. The maximum amount of requested funding shall not exceed $75,000 for 18-month projects to be conducted between April 1, 2027 and September 30, 2028.    

Underutilization of Crop Insurance Projects
This funding opportunity is specifically designated for the delivery of risk management education to agricultural producers who underutilize the Federal crop insurance program; with proposed educational programming that aligns with one or more of the five areas of risk: production, marketing, financial, legal, or human. The maximum amount of requested funding shall not exceed $100,000 for 18-month projects to be conducted between April 1, 2027 and September 30, 2028.

Exploratory Projects
This funding opportunity focuses on smaller, simplified projects for the purpose of initiating ideas through producer education programs which address farmer/rancher risk management education needs. Exploratory projects can be used to organize and host a producer education workshop(s) or conference or be used for development projects that lead to future application in other funding categories. 

The North Central Center will hold an Applicant Webinar on October 6, 2026 at 10:00 AM CST. Please contact clockert2@unl.edu for more information. 

Recent needs assessment reports provide some insight into issues and challenges facing agricultural producers at the present time and some supporting material behind the priority issues identified in the NOFO.

Producer Risk Management Education Needs Assessment - September 2026

Other Useful Resources To Help With Your Grant Application

• Refining Proposed Outcomes by Amulya Rao
• NIFA Fact Sheet - 20 Tips For Grant Writing Success
• Outcome & Evaluation Methodology by Brad Lubben
• Documenting Success through Performance Measures

How to Apply

1. Download and read the 2027 North Central ERME NOFO thoroughly depending on your plans for submission.
2. Resources: View the Application Resources which have been developed to help applicants prepare a successful proposal, and which provide a full explanation for every item requested in the application.  Applicants are especially encouraged to utilize the Application Tutorial.
3. Registration Information: If you are already registered in the RVS, skip to step 4.  To register, use this link to access the Extension Risk Management Education Results Verification System.  Select “Create New Account” and complete the form in order to create a new account.  A registration confirmation containing a link back into the system will be sent via email.  (If you do not receive the confirmation email within 15 minutes, please check your spam folder.)   To complete your registration, visit the enclosed link. 
4. RVS: Login to RVS (rvs.umn.edu) using your email address and password, which will take you to the “My Projects” page. To begin a new Application, select “Start New Project Application” to see all available funding opportunities.  Click the “North Central ERME” tab to see all North Central funding opportunities. 
5. Category: Select the appropriate grant category (2027 Risk Management Education Projects, 2027 Underutilization of Crop Insurance Projects, or 2027 Exploratory Projects) and click “Apply for this Grant”.  
6. Enter the project information, including: Project Title; Project Director email, Institution Mailing Address, and Financial Contact.  You will have the opportunity to edit or update this information once you have created the application. 
7. Complete each section in the Table of Contents on the left sidebar and follow the Instructions accessible on each page of the application via the question mark (?) icon.

Whenever you wish to continue working on your Application, return to the Extension Risk Management Education Results Verification System and login.  Your active projects will be listed on the “My Projects” page.  You may edit your proposal by clicking on the pencil icon.

Important Dates for Funding Process

October 6, 2026: Applicant Informational Webinar, 10:00 AM Central. Our webinar has concluded. The webinar recording and presentation is available below:

November 12, 2026: All applications are due on-line no later than 5:00 PM Central.

February 12, 2027:  Award Notification.

Contact Christine Lockert, clockert2@unl.edu or 402-472-2039 if you have any questions or need more information about this Extension Risk Management Education program.