Land Grant Research Prioritization Act

Official: Land Grant Research Prioritization Act of 2026

IntroducedFebruary 26, 2026

Agriculture and Food

Why This Matters

This bill aims to enhance agricultural research by focusing on new technologies and methods that can improve food production and manage environmental challenges. It is important because it helps farmers and researchers find better ways to grow food and protect ecosystems.

If you work in agriculture, this bill could lead to better tools and methods for growing crops and managing pests.

Affects: Farmers, researchers, and communities involved in agriculture and aquaculture.

Summary

Land Grant Research Prioritization Act of 2026This bill includes additional priorities as Department of Agriculture (USDA) high-priority research and extension areas. Under the bill, USDA may award grants for developing and evaluating (1) technologies to mechanize agricultural processes (and may emphasize processes for harvesting specialty crops), and (2) agricultural uses of artificial intelligence (and may emphasize uses for improving specialty crop production). Further, USDA may award grants to support research projects at land-grant colleges and universities to develop and applymethods to manage and eradicate invasive species of plants and animals, including through methods of biocontrol; andaquaculture methods, including through the propagation and rearing of economically and ecologically valuable aquatic and marine species.

What changes is this bill making?

1. This bill adds new research priorities for agriculture and food production. 2. It supports developing advanced harvesting technologies for specialty crops. 3. It promotes using artificial intelligence to improve crop production. 4. It funds research to manage and eliminate invasive plant and animal species. 5. It encourages methods for raising valuable aquatic species through aquaculture.