Feb 25, 2026

AFE, Gloeckner fund opens 2026 floriculture grants

The American Floral Endowment is accepting grant proposals for 2026 through the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund. The submission deadline is April 1, 2026.

The fund supports research and educational projects in floriculture, including plant pathology, plant breeding, agricultural economics, agricultural engineering, entomology and plant physiology. Universities, colleges and federal research institutions in the United States are eligible to apply.

The Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation Research Fund is a named fund of the American Floral Endowment and continues the legacy of the Fred C. Gloeckner Foundation, established in 1960. Since its inception, the fund has awarded $7.5 million for floriculture research. In 2025, it distributed $122,000 in grants.

For greenhouse growers and floriculture producers, funded projects often address disease management, breeding improvements, production efficiency and economic analysis that can influence crop performance and profitability.

Applications must be submitted electronically as a PDF to AFE research coordinator Laura Barth by April 1, 2026. Approved proposals will be announced after the annual committee meeting in June, with funds disbursed in August.

Details and application information are available through the American Floral Endowment.