Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 005698
Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 005698
- The USDA-NIFA in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Distance Education Grants (DEG) Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.322.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 16, 2016 and posted on Feb 16, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 07, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Distance Education Grants (DEG) Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas is a competitive grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). Its central goal is to strengthen the ability of colleges and universities located in U.S. insular areas to deliver high-quality instruction in the food and agricultural sciences by using distance education technologies. In practical terms, the program is designed to help these institutions build and improve the tools, curricula, and teaching approaches needed to expand access to agricultural science education when in-person delivery is limited by geography, resources, or infrastructure.
This funding opportunity falls under the discretionary grant category and supports projects aligned with agricultural education (Funding Activity Category: Agriculture; CFDA/Assistance Listing: 10.322). The emphasis is on formal, postsecondary education, meaning it targets credit-bearing or degree-related instruction and the academic systems that support it, such as curriculum development, course delivery platforms, instructional design, and faculty capacity to teach effectively in a distance format. While the description highlights distance education technology, the underlying purpose is broader: increasing institutional capacity to run strong resident instruction and teaching programs, with distance education serving as the mechanism to enhance reach, quality, and continuity.
Applications were tied to the specific opportunity number USDA NIFA RIGP 005698, with the opportunity posted and created on February 16, 2016. The deadline for submission was April 7, 2016 (both the original and current closing dates are listed as April 7, 2016), indicating a fixed application window with no extension reflected in the source information. The published record does not provide an award ceiling amount or the expected number of awards, so applicants would have needed to consult the full program announcement or related NIFA guidance for details on typical award sizes, budget constraints, cost-sharing requirements (if any), and project period length.
Eligibility is listed as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," which signals that the eligible applicant pool is defined more precisely in the full notice. Based on the program title and purpose statement, the intended applicants are Institutions of Higher Education in U.S. insular areas, and the program is specifically tailored to their educational context and needs. Overall, the DEG program is aimed at helping these institutions modernize and expand agricultural science teaching through distance education, ultimately improving learning opportunities and strengthening agricultural workforce development in insular communities.
Distance Education Grants (DEG) Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas - FAQs
What is the Distance Education Grants (DEG) Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas?
The Distance Education Grants (DEG) Program is a competitive grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). Its purpose is to help colleges and universities in U.S. insular areas strengthen their ability to deliver high-quality instruction in the food and agricultural sciences using distance education technologies.
What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?
The central goal is to increase the capacity of eligible institutions in U.S. insular areas to provide strong instruction in the food and agricultural sciences by improving distance education tools, curricula, and teaching approaches. The emphasis is on expanding access and maintaining instructional quality when in-person delivery is limited by geography, resources, or infrastructure.
Which agency administers this program?
The program is administered by USDA-NIFA (U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture).
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. The DEG Program is described as a competitive grant opportunity.
What type of grant is this (discretionary or formula)?
This opportunity is listed under the discretionary grant category.
What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The funding activity category is Agriculture.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number for this program?
The CFDA/Assistance Listing for this opportunity is 10.322.
What kinds of educational activities does the program emphasize?
The program emphasizes formal, postsecondary education. That means it targets credit-bearing or degree-related instruction and the academic systems that support it, including curriculum development, course delivery platforms, instructional design, and faculty capacity to teach effectively in a distance format.
Is the focus only on technology purchases?
No. While the description highlights distance education technology, the stated purpose is broader: strengthening institutional capacity to deliver strong resident instruction and teaching programs, using distance education as the mechanism to improve reach, quality, and continuity.
What kinds of project improvements does this program support?
Based on the description provided, supported improvements can include building or improving tools, curricula, and teaching approaches used to deliver distance education in food and agricultural sciences. Examples mentioned in the description include curriculum development, course delivery platforms, instructional design, and faculty capacity-building for distance teaching.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," which indicates that the detailed eligible applicant pool is defined in the full notice. Based on the program title and purpose statement, the intended applicants are Institutions of Higher Education located in U.S. insular areas.
What geographic areas are targeted by this program?
The program is specifically designed for Institutions of Higher Education in U.S. insular areas, reflecting the unique geographic and infrastructure challenges those locations can face when delivering in-person instruction.
What subject areas are supported?
The program supports instruction in the food and agricultural sciences, within the broader agricultural education context.
How does distance education fit into the program's purpose?
Distance education is the mechanism used to enhance instructional reach, quality, and continuity. The practical intent is to expand access to agricultural science education when geography, resources, or infrastructure make in-person delivery difficult.
What is the opportunity number for this grant?
The applications were tied to opportunity number USDA NIFA RIGP 005698.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted (and created) on February 16, 2016.
What was the application deadline?
The submission deadline was April 7, 2016. Both the original and current closing dates are listed as April 7, 2016, which suggests a fixed application window with no extension reflected in the information provided.
Does the information provided list an award ceiling or expected number of awards?
No. The published record described here does not provide an award ceiling amount or the expected number of awards.
Where would applicants find details like typical award sizes, budget limits, cost-sharing, or project period length?
The information provided indicates that these details were not included in the published record summary and that applicants would have needed to consult the full program announcement or related USDA-NIFA guidance for specifics such as typical award sizes, budget constraints, cost-sharing requirements (if any), and project period length.
What is the broader outcome the program is trying to achieve?
Beyond improving distance education delivery, the program aims to modernize and expand agricultural science teaching at eligible institutions, improve learning opportunities, and strengthen agricultural workforce development in insular communities.
Is this program oriented toward postsecondary education rather than informal training?
Yes. The description emphasizes formal, postsecondary education, meaning credit-bearing or degree-related instruction and the institutional academic systems that support it.
What limitations or gaps should users be aware of when reading this summary?
Based on the information provided, key details are not specified here, including the award ceiling, expected number of awards, and the precise eligibility definition referenced in the full notice. Those items would require reviewing the full program announcement or USDA-NIFA guidance.
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