Acer Access and Development Program for Maple Syrup Industry Support (United States)

Deadline: 22-Jun-2026

The Acer Access and Development Program is a federal grant initiative designed to support and expand the maple syrup industry in the United States. The program focuses on improving maple syrup production, promoting sustainable forest management, supporting education and research, and increasing access to maple-sugaring opportunities.

The initiative is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and funded under the fiscal year 2026 budget cycle.

The program aims to:

• Strengthen the domestic maple syrup industry
• Encourage sustainable management of Acer tree species
• Expand maple syrup production capacity
• Support market growth for maple and maple-sap products
• Increase educational outreach and producer engagement
• Encourage landowner participation in maple-sugaring activities

Funding Overview

The USDA has announced approximately $5.0 million in total funding under the 2026 Acer Access and Development Program.

Key funding details:

• Total available funding: Approximately $5 million
• Expected number of awards: Around 10 grants
• Grant size range: $200,000 to $500,000
• Funding type: Competitive grants
• Funding agency: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)

Projects will be evaluated competitively based on quality, impact, feasibility, and alignment with program goals.

Program Focus Areas

The Acer Access and Development Program supports projects across several strategic areas related to the maple syrup industry.

Research and Education

Projects may support:

• Maple syrup production research
• Educational programs for producers
• Scientific studies related to maple tree management
• Training initiatives for maple-sugaring operations
• Development of new maple syrup technologies or practices

The goal is to improve industry knowledge, productivity, and long-term sustainability.

Natural Resource Sustainability

The program encourages sustainable management of forests containing Acer tree species.

Supported activities may include:

• Sustainable forest management practices
• Conservation planning
• Long-term resource protection
• Improved maple tree health management
• Research into environmental impacts on maple production

This focus area helps protect the ecological sustainability of maple syrup production.

Market Promotion

The program supports efforts to expand awareness and demand for maple products.

Eligible activities may include:

• Marketing campaigns
• Consumer education initiatives
• Promotion of maple-sap products
• Industry branding strategies
• Market expansion projects

The objective is to strengthen the domestic maple economy and improve producer opportunities.

Producer and Landowner Engagement

The program encourages privately held landowners to:

• Start maple-sugaring operations
• Expand existing maple production activities
• Lease land for public maple-sugaring activities
• Increase access to Acer tree resources

This component aims to improve access to maple production opportunities and increase industry participation.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• State governments
• Tribal governments
• Research institutions

Eligible locations include:

• The 50 U.S. States
• American Samoa
• District of Columbia
• Guam
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

Eligible Research Institutions

Research institutions may include:

• Colleges and universities
• Federally funded research and development centers
• Industrial laboratories
• National user facilities
• Independent research organizations

Institutions may conduct research using both Federal and non-Federal funding sources.

Partner and Collaborator Participation

The Acer Access and Development Program encourages collaboration between applicants and external organizations.

Potential partners and collaborators may include:

• Agri-businesses
• Rural enterprises
• Local government entities
• Nonprofit organizations
• For-profit businesses
• New and beginning farmers
• Ranchers
• Community organizations

Partners may participate in:

• Project management
• Technical support
• Research implementation
• Educational outreach
• Market development activities

Strong partnerships may improve project effectiveness and competitiveness.

Cost Share Requirements

Applicants must provide a mandatory cost share equal to 25% of the Federal funds requested.

Cost sharing may include:

• Cash contributions
• In-kind contributions
• Non-Federal support
• Third-party contributions

Important requirement:

• Applicants must include letters verifying all cost-share commitments in the application package.

Failure to meet cost-share requirements may result in disqualification.

Grant Categories and Funding Levels

Projects under the following categories may receive grants ranging from $200,000 to $500,000:

• Maple Development Projects
• Producer-Landowner Education Projects

Funding amounts depend on:

• Project scope
• Budget justification
• Expected impact
• Industry relevance
• Feasibility of implementation

Important 2026 Program Updates

The 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) includes several important updates compared to previous funding cycles.

Reorganized Funding Announcement

The NOFO has been restructured to align with updated Uniform Guidance requirements.

Removal of Certain Language

Certain references related to:

• Underserved communities
• Climate-related goals

have been removed to align with current federal budgetary and program requirements.

Updated Terms and Conditions

Updated AMS and USDA General Terms and Conditions reflecting the 2024 Uniform Guidance updates will apply to funded projects.

Applicants should carefully review all updated compliance requirements before submission.

How to Apply for the Acer Access and Development Program

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Confirm Eligibility
   Ensure your organization qualifies as an eligible State agency, Tribal government, or research institution.
2. Identify a Qualified Project
   Develop a project aligned with one or more program priorities such as:

• Research
• Sustainability
• Market promotion
• Producer education
• Maple industry expansion

3. Build Partnerships and Collaborations
   Engage stakeholders, landowners, researchers, or industry organizations where appropriate.
4. Prepare a Detailed Project Proposal
   Your proposal should include:

• Project objectives
• Expected outcomes
• Work plan and timeline
• Budget narrative
• Cost-share documentation
• Partner roles and responsibilities

5. Secure Cost-Share Commitments
   Obtain letters verifying:

• Cash contributions
• In-kind support
• Third-party commitments

6. Review USDA and AMS Requirements
   Carefully review:

• Uniform Guidance updates
• Federal compliance standards
• AMS General Terms and Conditions

7. Submit the Application Before the Deadline
   Complete and submit all required forms and supporting documents through the designated federal grants system.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly demonstrate industry impact and long-term sustainability.
• Include measurable project outcomes and performance metrics.
• Develop realistic budgets with detailed cost justifications.
• Highlight collaboration with industry stakeholders and local communities.
• Ensure all cost-share commitments are fully documented.
• Align proposals closely with USDA and AMS priorities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing cost-share documentation
• Submitting incomplete applications
• Providing weak project timelines
• Failing to explain project sustainability
• Ignoring updated Uniform Guidance requirements
• Presenting unclear market or research objectives

Why the Acer Access and Development Program Matters

The maple syrup industry is an important agricultural and economic sector in many U.S. regions. The Acer Access and Development Program helps strengthen the industry through research, innovation, sustainability, and producer support.

Key benefits of the program include:

• Expanding maple syrup production capacity
• Supporting rural economic development
• Encouraging sustainable forest management
• Improving market opportunities for producers
• Increasing educational access and training
• Supporting long-term industry resilience

The program also helps preserve the environmental and cultural value of maple-producing regions across the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Acer Access and Development Program?

The program is a USDA grant initiative that supports research, education, sustainability, and market development projects related to the U.S. maple syrup industry.

How much funding is available in 2026?

Approximately $5 million in total funding is available under the 2026 funding cycle.

Who can apply for Acer grants?

Eligible applicants include States, Tribal governments, and qualified research institutions located in eligible U.S. jurisdictions.

What types of projects are eligible?

Projects related to maple syrup research, sustainability, education, market promotion, and producer-landowner engagement are eligible.

Is cost sharing required?

Yes. Applicants must provide a mandatory cost share equal to 25% of the Federal funds requested.

What is the grant size range?

Projects may receive between $200,000 and $500,000 depending on the project category and scope.

Are partnerships encouraged?

Yes. The program strongly encourages collaboration with public, private, nonprofit, and industry stakeholders.

Conclusion

The Acer Access and Development Program provides significant federal funding opportunities for organizations working to strengthen the U.S. maple syrup industry. Through investments in research, sustainability, education, and market development, the program supports long-term growth and resilience across maple-producing regions.

Eligible applicants should focus on developing well-structured, collaborative, and sustainable projects that align closely with USDA priorities and updated federal compliance requirements. Strong proposals with clear industry impact, documented partnerships, and detailed cost-share commitments are likely to be the most competitive.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.