Alaska Native Serving and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program (ANNH) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Alaska Native Serving and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program (ANNH)?

ANNH is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is designed to build and strengthen the long-term capacity of eligible institutions to deliver high-quality education, conduct applied research, and carry out related community development efforts, with an emphasis on food and agricultural sciences and closely related disciplines.

What is the main purpose of this grant program?

The core goal is to strengthen the long-term ability of eligible Alaska Native Serving Institutions (ANSIs) and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (NHSIs) to address their own locally defined educational needs while improving education, applied research, and community development connected to U.S. food, agriculture, and natural resource systems.

Which federal agency administers the program?

The program is administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

Is this a formula program or a competitive program?

It is a competitive grants program (discretionary funding), meaning eligible institutions compete for awards based on their proposals.

What types of projects does ANNH support?

The program supports projects that can include education and training, hands-on applied research, and community-focused initiatives, as long as they are connected to food, agriculture, and natural resource systems in the United States.

What are examples of activities that could be supported under this program?

Examples described in the opportunity include strengthening curriculum and instruction in agriculture and natural resources, improving laboratories and teaching capacity, building student support structures to help students persist and complete programs, and creating career preparation pathways that connect students to jobs or further study in agriculture-related fields.

What priority themes does the program emphasize?

The program highlights several priority themes: improving educational equity for underrepresented students; strengthening an institution's educational capacity; preparing students for careers tied to food, agriculture, and natural resources; and making smart, effective use of resources to improve how food and agricultural sciences are taught.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to individual public or private, nonprofit institutions of higher education that meet the federal definitions of an Alaska Native Serving Institution or a Native Hawaiian Serving Institution, as established in Title III, Part A of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended), referenced at 20 U.S.C. 1059d.

Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?

No. The eligibility described is limited to public or private, nonprofit institutions of higher education that meet the ANSI or NHSI statutory definitions.

Can an institution that is not an Alaska Native Serving Institution or Native Hawaiian Serving Institution apply?

No. The opportunity is specifically designed for institutions that meet the statutory criteria for ANSIs or NHSIs under the Higher Education Act reference provided (20 U.S.C. 1059d).

What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states that cost sharing or matching funds are not required.

What was the estimated total funding available in the referenced competition cycle?

In the archived 2012-2013 competition cycle reflected in the source data, NIFA estimated total available funding at $3,000,000.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program (as listed in the opportunity)?

The listing identifies CFDA 10.228, titled Alaska Native Serving and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Education Grants.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number mentioned?

The archived cycle referenced lists Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA AHSI 004048.

When was the opportunity posted and when was the application deadline (for the archived cycle shown)?

For the archived 2012-2013 cycle referenced, the opportunity was posted on December 13, 2012, and the application deadline was March 1, 2013.

When was the opportunity archived (for the cycle shown)?

The referenced listing shows an archive date of March 31, 2013.

What activity categories are associated with this program?

The opportunity is associated with activity categories spanning agriculture, education, community development, employment and training, and research and development.

What should an applicant do if they have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically?

The announcement indicates that institutions having difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically could contact the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays).

Is there a contact for questions related to preparing application content?

Yes. The listing indicates there is a contact point for questions related to preparing application content, intended to help institutions develop proposals aligned with the program priorities and their locally defined needs.

How does the program connect to community development?

The program is intended to support not only education and applied research, but also related community development efforts, as long as they connect to food, agriculture, and natural resource systems.

Does the program require projects to focus on food and agricultural sciences?

Yes. The program places a broad emphasis on food and agricultural sciences and closely related disciplines, and supported projects must connect to food, agriculture, and natural resource systems of the United States.