To amend the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to waive the matching funds requirement under the specialty crop research initiative, and for other purposes.

This bill lets the U.S. Department of Agriculture waive the “matching funds” rule for certain research grants that help specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and nursery plants. Today, groups that get these grants usually must put up their own nonfederal money equal to the grant amount. Under this bill, USDA could choose to waive that requirement for new grants, making it easier for smaller farms, universities, and local groups to apply and get funded. The change would apply to grants awarded on or after the bill becomes law, by adding a new waiver option to the existing program rules.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Applicants to the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (such as universities, grower groups, and nonprofits).
• What changes: USDA may waive the requirement to provide matching funds equal to the grant amount for new awards.
• When: For grants awarded on or after the date the bill is enacted.

What this means: More research projects that improve specialty crops—like better disease control, higher yields, and safer food—could move forward even when local matching dollars are hard to find.