California AgTech Alliance Innovation Grants Program

About

Selected agricultural technology startups can receive service vouchers of up to $50,000 to access farm trials, laboratories and business expertise for testing and commercializing innovations that benefit California agriculture.

Benefits

• 💵Voucher funding
  Selected projects can receive service vouchers of up to $50,000 covering all services in one proposal.
• 🧪Specialized services
  Vouchers can access land services, infrastructure and technology services, and professional services from participating providers including farms, research centers, laboratories and business advisers.
• 🏞️Field trials
  Land services can provide access to private farms, UC ANR Research and Extension Centers across the state and other agricultural sites for field trials, demonstrations and validation.
• 🔬Technical testing
  Infrastructure and technology services can include research and development, prototyping, laboratory testing, specialized equipment or software, and user testing.
• 📈Commercialization support
  Professional services can include customer discovery, commercialization strategy, market development, financial planning and investor readiness.
• 🤝Direct provider payment
  UC Agriculture and Natural Resources pays providers directly.
• 💰Program funding pool
  About $1.7 million in funding is expected to be available.

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to agricultural technology startups
• Applicants do not need to be based or incorporated in California
• Each project must show a clear benefit to California agriculture
• All voucher-funded services must be performed in California
• Each project must address at least one of four California Agricultural Research and Innovation Roadmap priorities and name one as its primary focus: Water and Soil Management, Automation and Technology, Pest Management, or Biomass Management
• The startup must lead each project and be responsible for its technical direction, analysis and reporting

Participation Commitments

• Submit a startup application by 20 November 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PST
• Each project must address at least one of four Roadmap priorities and name one as its primary focus
• All voucher-funded services must be performed in California
• The startup leads each project and is responsible for its technical direction, analysis and reporting
• No matching funds are required

Target Region

No California base or incorporation requirement is stated; each project must show a clear benefit to California agriculture, and all voucher-funded services must be performed in California.

Target Sector

Agriculture & Food