Posted: Friday, February 22, 2013 --4:49 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A federal grant is now open to agricultural research projects studying specialty crops in Wisconsin.

The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says starting Thursday, agriculture organizations in the state can apply to the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to help them fund innovative research on fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops.

The department says the grant helps cover project costs, and each selected organization will receive between $10,000 and $100,000 based on their proposed budget.

Both government and private agencies can apply through the department's website by April 15. The recipients will receive the fund and start their projects in the fall.

Eighteen Wisconsin organizations shared an $800,000 grant last year.

Grant application is available on the department website: