NREC issues RFPs for 26-27 crop year
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The Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council (NREC) has issued its Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2026-27 crop year.
For 2026-2027, NREC is focusing on critical areas of investigation identified by farmers and other key
stakeholders based on the goals outlined in the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. While much of NREC’s current research has concentrated on nitrogen and phosphorus, NREC acknowledges that other nutrients also contribute to crop nutrition, and it welcomes research projects that explore beyond these two primary nutrients.
The RFP does focus on six areas of concentration: 4R principles, cover crop systems, conservation cover rotation, phosphorus, watershed approaches, and social science. According to Scott Lagger, Chair of NREC’s Research Committee, “This is the first year that NREC will look at the social sciences to learn what might motivate or act as barriers to adoption of new and innovative technologies.”
NREC is currently funding 32 projects, many of which will be considered for continued funding in 2027. Applicants are encouraged to view a summary of these projects and the latest Annual Report. Reviewing these current projects will provide insights into the types of projects typically funded by NREC and help applicants avoid duplicating projects already underway. NREC encourages new proposals that expand or build on current projects but requires demonstration of a new methodology, scope, etc.
The RFP can be found on the Illinois NREC website under funded projects. Deadline to return the completed proposals is May 22, 2026. The NREC Council will evaluate the proposals and announce in August which projects are funded.
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