New York Wine & Grape Foundation

Boldly,

cultivating.

Research Program

Since its creation in 1985, NYWGF has sponsored an ambitious and comprehensive program in close coordination with the industry and academia. As with the promotion program, private sector funding is required to leverage the state matching funds. NYWGF’s annual research budget is normally between $350,000-$500,000 to support dozens of individual projects, mostly conducted by Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva.

The private sector funds come from various organizations, businesses and individuals to support the three main areas of research: viticulture (grape growing), enology (winemaking), and wine and health. The state matching funds are allocated in proportion to the respective amounts of private sector funds supporting each category.

Particularly in the case of viticulture, NYWGF’s research committee and Board of Directors solicit recommendations from the Lake Erie Regional Grape Research and Extension Program, an industry committee of processors who conduct a thorough review of all proposals submitted. Once NYWGF receives their recommendations, the Foundation’s research committee makes final allocations to individual projects.

Like the promotion program, the research program is enhancing NYWGF’s overall strategic goal: “To have the New York grape and wine industry recognized as a world leader in quality, productivity, and social responsibility.”

Accepting Proposals Now!

The Research Committee of the Board of Directors now welcomes new proposals for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Proposals are due by January 16th, 2026.

The full RFP, including this years research priorities, and templates for proposals, budgets, and final reports can be found at newyorkwines.org/researchers or click below.

New Research Reports Are Out

NYWGF's 2025-2026 Research Reports are now available. 🔬

This year's portfolio tackles some of the most urgent challenges facing New York's growers and winemakers, from Spotted Lanternfly management and disease control to canned wine quality and vineyard automation. Practical, science-backed findings designed to help New York's wine and grape industry stay competitive and resilient.

Funded Research Projects

For 35 years, NYWGF has annually distributed funds to projects that provide the New York State wine and grape industry with short-term solutions and long-term strategic directions.

Market Research

The New York Wine Tourism Marketing Toolkit was created to provide practical marketing advice on how to increase visitation to tasting rooms and elevate visitors’ experience, thus making New York State a world premier wine tourism destination. The toolkit includes profiles of three potential visitor targets who exhibit a higher inclination to visit a New York winery. These profiles are coupled with recommended marketing strategies to motivate them to visit. The toolkit offers specific operational tactics that wineries and wine trails can deploy to generate greater brand loyalty from the visitor targets.

Related News

How Researchers Are Helping Growers Fight Pests With Greener Weapons

August 29, 2026

In the ever-evolving world of wine and grape production, research plays a crucial role in advancing knowledge, improving practices, and ensuring the sustainability of the industry. NYWGF’s commitment to research is evident in its annual research budget, which typically ranges between $350,000 and $500,000. The NYWGF Board of Directors is proud to share the results of 2025-26 funded research projects through individual reports, articles, and a series of upcoming webinars. Featured in this article are

New York Wine & Grape Foundation Releases 2025-2026 Research Reports

June 10, 2026

Annual portfolio addresses pressing industry challenges, from Spotted Lanternfly to climate resilience and canned wine quality The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) today released its 2025–2026 Research Reports, delivering a new body of science-backed findings to help New York’s growers, winemakers, and industry professionals navigate the challenges and opportunities defining the industry right now. The annual reports are the product of NYWGF’s Research Program, a collaborative effort between the NYWGF, Cornell AgriTech in

New York Wine & Grape Foundation Issues RFP for 2026-27 Grape and Wine Research

December 5, 2025

The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) today announced the release of its Request for Proposals (RFP) for research projects to be funded in Fiscal Year April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027. Proposals are due January 16, 2026. Established in 1985, NYWGF administers state-backed funding for research that supports the long-term growth, sustainability, and competitiveness of New York’s wine and grape industry. Each year, the organization invests in research that addresses production challenges,