Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA HEP 005276
Apply for USDA NIFA HEP 005276
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship (NNF) Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.210 Higher Education Graduate Fellowships Grant Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 30, 2015 and posted on Jun 30, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 19, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,240,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $262,500.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Pursuant to section 1417 of the NARETPA of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152), and administrative provisions that can be found in 7 CFR 3402 applications may be submitted by (1) Land grant institutions including the University of the District of Columbia (2) Colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences and (3) Other colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food, and agricultural sciences.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship (NNF) Grants Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) designed to strengthen the pipeline of highly trained professionals in USDA mission areas. The program focuses on supporting institutions that run structured graduate traineeship programs aimed at recruiting, training, and graduating exceptional students pursuing Masters and doctoral degrees in food, agricultural, and natural resource sciences. In addition to degree training support, the program also includes Special International Study or Thesis/Dissertation Research Travel Allowances (IRTA) for eligible USDA NNF beneficiaries, which helps fellows pursue international study experiences or conduct research-related travel tied directly to their thesis or dissertation.
A key feature of this opportunity is that it is institution-focused rather than an individual fellowship application from students. Colleges and universities apply for grant funding to operate traineeship programs that will then support selected graduate students. NIFA is looking for applications that clearly explain the applicant institution's graduate training philosophy and how the proposed program aligns with USDA mission sciences, NIFA priorities, and broader national science education policies and workforce needs. In practice, this means proposals are expected to show a well-thought-out approach to graduate education, including how students will be recruited and mentored, what kind of training environment they will receive, how progress and outcomes will be tracked, and why the training area matters to national agricultural and food-system priorities.
Eligibility is rooted in section 1417 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act (NARETPA) of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152) and implementing administrative provisions in 7 CFR 3402. Eligible applicants include land-grant institutions (explicitly including the University of the District of Columbia), colleges and universities with significant minority enrollments that can demonstrate the capacity to teach food and agricultural sciences, and other colleges and universities that can likewise demonstrate the capacity to carry out teaching in these disciplines. The common thread across eligible institutions is a demonstrated ability to deliver graduate-level education in relevant fields and to administer a competitive, high-quality traineeship program.
NIFA is targeting this funding toward specific expertise shortage areas where the nation has identified a need for more advanced training and professional capacity. Applicants must confer a graduate degree in at least one of the listed targeted areas: (1) animal and plant production, (2) forest resources, (3) agricultural educators and communicators, (4) agricultural management and economics, (5) food science and human nutrition, (6) sciences for agricultural biosecurity, and (7) integrative biosciences for sustainable food and agricultural systems. These categories indicate that the program is not only about supporting traditional agricultural disciplines, but also about building capacity in education and communication, economics and management, biosecurity, and systems-level biosciences that connect sustainability, productivity, and resilience across the food and agriculture sector.
From a funding perspective, this opportunity is offered as a grant under the Agriculture funding activity category, listed under CFDA 10.210 (Higher Education Graduate Fellowships Grant Program). The estimated total program funding for the cycle described is $3,240,000. Individual awards range widely, with an award floor of $4,500 and an award ceiling of $262,500, which suggests awards may vary based on program design, number of fellows supported, and inclusion of allowable components like travel allowances. The opportunity specifies that there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, lowering the barrier for eligible institutions to apply, especially those that may have limited discretionary funds for match commitments.
Important timeline details from the announcement include a posted and creation date of June 30, 2015, with an original and current closing date of August 19, 2015, and an archive date of September 18, 2015. While these dates indicate the specific notice provided is historical, the structure and purpose of the program are clearly oriented around sustained national workforce needs in food and agricultural sciences, and similar NIFA fellowship and traineeship opportunities often reappear in future cycles with updated deadlines and priorities.
For support, NIFA provided a help desk contact for issues accessing the full announcement electronically (NIFA Help Desk, 202-401-5048, business hours Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern, excluding federal holidays). The announcement also indicates there are contacts available for questions related to preparing application content, reinforcing that applicants are expected to develop detailed proposals that articulate training approach, alignment with USDA and NIFA priorities, and the rationale for focusing on the identified national needs areas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship (NNF) Grants Program?
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship (NNF) Grants Program is a discretionary grant opportunity intended to strengthen the pipeline of highly trained professionals in USDA mission areas. It funds institutions to operate structured graduate traineeship programs that recruit, train, and graduate outstanding Masters and doctoral students in food, agricultural, and natural resource sciences.
Is this an individual fellowship that students apply to directly?
No. This is an institution-focused grant opportunity. Colleges and universities apply to NIFA for funding to run a traineeship program. The funded institution then selects and supports eligible graduate students (fellows/beneficiaries) through that program.
What is NIFA looking for in an application?
Applications are expected to clearly explain the institution's graduate training philosophy and how the proposed traineeship aligns with USDA mission sciences, NIFA priorities, and broader national science education policies and workforce needs. Proposals should describe how students will be recruited and mentored, the training environment they will receive, how progress and outcomes will be tracked, and why the selected training area is important to national agricultural and food-system priorities.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants are institutions that meet the requirements described under section 1417 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act (NARETPA) of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152) and the implementing administrative provisions in 7 CFR 3402. Eligible institutions include land-grant institutions (explicitly including the University of the District of Columbia), colleges and universities with significant minority enrollments that can demonstrate capacity to teach food and agricultural sciences, and other colleges and universities that can likewise demonstrate the capacity to carry out teaching in these disciplines.
What is the common requirement across eligible institutions?
The shared requirement is a demonstrated ability to deliver graduate-level education in relevant food, agricultural, and natural resource science fields and to administer a competitive, high-quality, structured graduate traineeship program.
What degree levels does the program support?
The program supports graduate education leading to Masters and doctoral degrees.
What are the targeted expertise shortage areas?
Applicants must confer a graduate degree in at least one of the targeted national needs areas listed in the announcement:
- Animal and plant production
- Forest resources
- Agricultural educators and communicators
- Agricultural management and economics
- Food science and human nutrition
- Sciences for agricultural biosecurity
- Integrative biosciences for sustainable food and agricultural systems
Does the program support international study or research travel?
Yes. In addition to degree training support, the program includes Special International Study or Thesis/Dissertation Research Travel Allowances (IRTA) for eligible USDA NNF beneficiaries. These travel allowances are intended to help fellows pursue international study experiences or conduct research-related travel that is directly tied to a thesis or dissertation.
Who can receive the International Study or Research Travel Allowances (IRTA)?
The IRTA component is available to eligible USDA NNF beneficiaries (fellows) supported through a funded institutional traineeship program, and it must be connected directly to the fellow's thesis/dissertation research or an international study experience.
What is the funding activity category and CFDA number for this opportunity?
This opportunity is offered as a grant under the Agriculture funding activity category and is listed under CFDA 10.210 (Higher Education Graduate Fellowships Grant Program).
How much total funding is available for the cycle described?
The estimated total program funding for the cycle described in the notice is $3,240,000.
What is the range of individual award amounts?
The announcement lists an award floor of $4,500 and an award ceiling of $262,500. This wide range suggests award size may vary based on program design, the number of fellows supported, and whether allowable components such as travel allowances are included.
Is cost-sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity specifies that there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
What were the key dates listed in the announcement?
The notice lists a posted and creation date of June 30, 2015. The original and current closing date is August 19, 2015, and the archive date is September 18, 2015.
Is this announcement current or historical?
Based on the closing and archive dates provided (2015), the specific notice described is historical. The program structure and purpose are framed around long-term workforce needs, and similar NIFA fellowship and traineeship opportunities may appear in future cycles with updated deadlines and priorities.
What should institutions emphasize regarding workforce needs and national priorities?
Institutions should explain how the proposed traineeship program addresses identified national needs and expertise shortage areas, and how it aligns with USDA mission sciences, NIFA priorities, and national science education policies and workforce needs.
What kinds of program design elements are expected in proposals?
Based on the announcement, proposals are expected to address the institution's approach to graduate education, including student recruitment and mentoring, the training environment, methods for tracking progress and outcomes, and the national importance of the chosen training area(s).
Who can help if an applicant has trouble accessing the full announcement electronically?
NIFA provided a help desk contact for issues accessing the full announcement electronically: NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048, available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern, excluding federal holidays.
Are there contacts for questions about preparing application content?
Yes. The announcement indicates there are contacts available for questions related to preparing application content, reflecting that applicants are expected to develop detailed proposals addressing training approach, alignment with USDA/NIFA priorities, and the rationale for focusing on national needs areas.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture
Next opportunity: Direct Phase II SBIR Grants to Support Extended Development, Hardening, and Dissemination of Technologies in Biomedical Computing, Informatics, and Big Data Science (R44)
Previous opportunity: Exploration of the Roles of Brown and Beige Adipose Tissue in Humans (R01)
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA NIFA HEP 005276
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA HEP 005276) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Cost Benefit/Effectiveness Analysis of Army Community Service (ACS) Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 005335 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 005335 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $498,597 |
| Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 005355 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HEMS 005355 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Request for Information USAID/Bangladesh Feed the Future Strengthening Agriculture Production and Market Systems (SAPMS) Apply for RFI 388 15 00099 Funding Number: RFI 388 15 00099 Agency: Bangladesh USAID Dhaka Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $25,000,000 |
| Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) Project Areas FY 2016 Apply for CEPD 2016 22 Funding Number: CEPD 2016 22 Agency: Farm Service Agency Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $22,500,000 |
| Mathematics Curriculum Development for DoDEA Worldwide Department of Defense Schools Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 005376 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 005376 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $315,000 |
| Wood Education and Resource Center Competitive Grants Program for Fiscal Year 2008 Apply for USDA FS WERC 2008 Funding Number: USDA FS WERC 2008 Agency: Forest Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Federal State Marketing Improvement Program Apply for USDA AMS FSMIP 2008 Funding Number: USDA AMS FSMIP 2008 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY 2008 WIC Special Project Grant Program Apply for USDA FNS WISP O8 Funding Number: USDA FNS WISP O8 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CONSERVATION INNOVATION GRANTS Apply for USDA NRCS ME 08 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS ME 08 01 Agency: Vermont State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| FY 2008 Pacific Islands Area Conservation Innovation Grants Funding Opportunity Apply for USDA NRCS HI 08 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS HI 08 01 Agency: Hawaii State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| USAID Horticulture CRSP Apply for M OAA EGAT PEP 09 706 Funding Number: M OAA EGAT PEP 09 706 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| Small Minority Producer Grant Apply for RDBCP 08 03 SMPG Funding Number: RDBCP 08 03 SMPG Agency: Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $175,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grants Caribbean Area Component FY 2008 Apply for USDA NRCS PR 08 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS PR 08 01 Agency: Florida State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| New York Component Conservation Innovation Grant Apply for USDA NRCS NY 08 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NY 08 01 Agency: New York State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Global Livestock Climate Change CRSP DRAFT Apply for M OAA EGAT DHWA 0802 DRAFT Funding Number: M OAA EGAT DHWA 0802 DRAFT Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Kansas State Component Apply for USDA NRCS KS 08 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS KS 08 01 Agency: Kansas State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Conservation Innovation Grants FY 2008 Florida State Component Apply for USDA NRCS FL 08 01 Funding Number: USDA NRCS FL 08 01 Agency: Florida State Office Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Farmers Market Promotion Program Apply for USDA AMS FMPP 2008 Funding Number: USDA AMS FMPP 2008 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Strengthening Labor Law Compliance in the Agricultural Sector in Guatemala Apply for SGA 08 02 Funding Number: SGA 08 02 Agency: OASAM Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $940,000 |
| 1890 Land Grant Institution Rural Entrepreneurial Outreach and Development Initiative Apply for RDBCP 08 04 1890 Funding Number: RDBCP 08 04 1890 Agency: Business and Cooperative Programs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $115,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA NIFA HEP 005276", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.