RFAs: Fertilizer Investment and Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (US)

The Fertilizer Investment and Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program provides funding to expand domestic fertilizer production and strengthen the U.S. fertilizer supply chain. With an estimated $500 million in available funding, individual awards range from $15 million to $100 million for projects that increase fertilizer manufacturing capacity and improve supply chain efficiency.

Program Overview: Expanding Domestic Fertilizer Production

The Fertilizer Investment and Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program supports projects that increase domestic fertilizer production, improve supply chain resilience, and provide U.S. agricultural producers with greater access to domestically manufactured fertilizer.

The program invests in expanding manufacturing capacity, constructing new fertilizer production facilities, modernizing existing plants, and improving transportation and storage infrastructure to strengthen long-term fertilizer availability.

Key Objectives of the Program

• Expand domestic fertilizer production capacity
• Increase U.S. fertilizer manufacturing
• Strengthen the domestic fertilizer supply chain
• Improve fertilizer availability for agricultural producers
• Support independent domestic fertilizer production facilities
• Expand or modernize existing production facilities
• Construct new fertilizer manufacturing facilities
• Support shovel-ready projects with rapid implementation potential
• Improve fertilizer transportation, storage, and distribution infrastructure

Priority Focus Areas

Domestic Fertilizer Manufacturing

• Expansion of production capacity
• New fertilizer manufacturing facilities
• Modernization of existing plants
• Increased domestic fertilizer supply

Supply Chain Strengthening

• Fertilizer terminals
• Transportation infrastructure
• Storage facilities
• Distribution efficiency
• Supply chain resilience

Infrastructure Development

• Facility expansion
• Facility upgrades
• New production facilities
• Manufacturing process improvements

Agricultural Supply Security

• Reliable fertilizer availability
• Domestic production growth
• Reduced supply chain disruptions
• Increased manufacturing capacity

Funding Information

Total Available Funding

• Approximately $500,000,000

Individual Award Amount

• Minimum Award: $15,000,000
• Maximum Award: $100,000,000

Eligible Project Types

Funding may support projects such as:

Production Facility Expansion

• Expansion of existing fertilizer manufacturing facilities
• Upgrades to current production plants
• Increased manufacturing capacity

New Manufacturing Facilities

• Construction of new domestic fertilizer production facilities
• Development of independent fertilizer manufacturing operations

Shovel-Ready Projects

• Projects capable of rapidly increasing fertilizer production
• Ready-to-implement manufacturing investments

Supply Chain Infrastructure

• On-site fertilizer terminals
• Transportation infrastructure
• Distribution improvements
• Logistics enhancements

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Tribes
• Tribal entities
• Alaska Native Corporations
• For-profit entities
• Corporations
• Non-profit organizations
• Producer-owned cooperatives
• Producer-owned corporations
• Certified Benefit Corporations
• State government entities
• Local government entities

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Verify that your organization qualifies under one of the eligible applicant categories.

Step 2: Identify an Eligible Project

Select a project that aligns with the program objectives, such as:

• Manufacturing expansion
• Facility upgrades
• New fertilizer production
• Supply chain infrastructure development

Step 3: Prepare a Project Proposal

Include:

• Project description
• Technical approach
• Implementation timeline
• Expected production increases
• Supply chain benefits
• Project readiness

Step 4: Develop a Detailed Budget

Prepare a budget within the allowable funding range of $15 million to $100 million.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Complete and submit all required application materials according to the program requirements.

Step 6: Project Implementation

Successful applicants will implement approved projects, increase fertilizer production capacity, and strengthen domestic supply chain infrastructure.

Why This Program Matters

The FIELDS Program helps:

• Increase domestic fertilizer production
• Strengthen U.S. agricultural supply chains
• Improve fertilizer availability for farmers
• Reduce dependence on imported fertilizer
• Encourage investment in domestic manufacturing
• Create long-term supply chain resilience
• Support economic growth in the fertilizer industry

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing projects that do not significantly expand domestic fertilizer capacity
• Submitting incomplete technical or financial information
• Providing unrealistic implementation timelines
• Failing to demonstrate project readiness
• Not explaining supply chain benefits
• Preparing an incomplete budget
• Weakly linking the project to domestic manufacturing goals

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly demonstrate increased fertilizer production capacity
• Show measurable supply chain improvements
• Highlight project readiness and implementation feasibility
• Include realistic construction and operational timelines
• Present detailed technical and financial plans
• Demonstrate long-term economic and agricultural benefits
• Explain how the project strengthens domestic fertilizer availability

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the FIELDS Program?

The Fertilizer Investment and Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program provides funding to expand domestic fertilizer manufacturing and strengthen the U.S. fertilizer supply chain.

2. How much funding is available?

The program provides approximately $500 million in total funding, with individual awards ranging from $15 million to $100 million.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include Tribes, Tribal entities, Alaska Native Corporations, for-profit businesses, nonprofit organizations, producer-owned cooperatives, Certified Benefit Corporations, and state or local government entities.

4. What types of projects are eligible?

Eligible projects include expanding existing fertilizer production facilities, constructing new manufacturing facilities, shovel-ready production projects, and developing fertilizer terminals and transportation infrastructure.

5. What is meant by a shovel-ready project?

A shovel-ready project is one that is prepared to begin construction or implementation quickly and can rapidly increase domestic fertilizer production.

6. What infrastructure activities can be funded?

Funding may support on-site fertilizer terminals, transportation infrastructure, storage facilities, and other improvements that strengthen fertilizer supply chain efficiency.

7. Why is this program important?

The program helps increase domestic fertilizer production, improve supply chain resilience, support U.S. agriculture, reduce reliance on imports, and strengthen long-term fertilizer availability.

Conclusion

The Fertilizer Investment and Expansion for Long-term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program is a major federal investment designed to strengthen domestic fertilizer manufacturing and improve the resilience of the U.S. fertilizer supply chain. By funding new production facilities, expanding existing operations, and improving transportation and storage infrastructure, the program supports a more reliable fertilizer supply for American agriculture while promoting long-term industrial growth and supply chain security.