Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA HEP 003435
Apply for USDA NIFA HEP 003435
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Food And Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grants" 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 Mar 29, 2011 and posted on Mar 29, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 1, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $3,600,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $262,500.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Private institutions of higher education.
- Applications may be submitted by (1) land grant institutions, (2) colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences, (3) University of the District of Columbia, and (4) other colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences. Research foundations maintained by an eligible college or university are eligible to submit graduate training proposals under this Request for Application. Individual students may NOT apply to this program to support their graduate training. Applicants should be institutions that confer a graduate degree in at least one of the Targeted Expertise Shortage Areas. Awards are made to eligible colleges and universities. Individuals seeking support to further their graduate education are not eligible to apply for these grants.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grants program (NNF), offered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), funds university-run graduate fellowship training programs designed to move more highly qualified students into areas of national workforce need within the food and agricultural sciences. Rather than funding individual students directly, the program awards grants to eligible institutions so they can recruit, train, and support outstanding masters and doctoral students in targeted expertise shortage areas tied to USDA mission sciences. The central idea is to build a strong pipeline of well-prepared professionals and researchers by strengthening graduate education, improving training quality, and aligning academic programs with real national needs.
Funding provided under this opportunity is structured around two main components: a stipend that supports the Fellow and a cost-of-education allowance paid to the institution to help cover training and education-related expenses. The expected project period is typically up to five years, though some funded projects may run for a shorter period (with five years as the maximum). For the FY 2011 cycle specifically, NIFA indicated it planned to support both masters-level and doctoral-level graduate fellowship training grants. Postdoctoral fellowships are explicitly not supported under this announcement; NIFA points applicants interested in predoctoral or postdoctoral fellowships to other mechanisms such as the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).
A notable feature of this competition is the availability of International Study or Thesis/Dissertation Research Travel Allowances (IRTA). These are meant to help eligible USDA Fellows conduct research or pursue study experiences outside the United States when that travel is directly connected to the fellows thesis or dissertation work. IRTA funding is not automatically included; it is only available as described in the announcement. For current eligible NNF Fellows, IRTA requests must be submitted as a standalone application, meaning institutions would apply separately for that travel support rather than bundling it into the original training grant request.
Competitive applications are expected to explain the philosophy and structure of the proposed graduate training program and show how the training aligns with USDA mission science and NIFA priorities. Proposals are also expected to demonstrate awareness of and responsiveness to national workforce projections and research and education recommendations, including those from the National Research Council and the National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the National Science Foundation Survey of Earned Doctorates. In practical terms, applicants need to make a clear case that their fellowship program will help address documented shortages, prepare graduates for evolving career demands, and produce measurable improvements in skills and outcomes.
The program places strong emphasis on developing a next-generation workforce with 21st-century competencies, including research-based knowledge, the ability to assess and apply evidence, and the effective use of technology and resources in food and agricultural systems. Funded projects are expected to strengthen understanding and training approaches while also promoting a diverse talent pipeline for USDA mission areas. This workforce-development focus is not just about supporting students financially; it is also about ensuring the training environment, mentoring, and curriculum produce graduates who are ready to contribute in modern scientific and professional settings.
Eligibility is limited to institutions, not individuals. Eligible applicants include land-grant institutions; colleges and universities with significant minority enrollments and demonstrated capacity to teach food and agricultural sciences; the University of the District of Columbia; and other colleges and universities that can demonstrate the capacity to carry out teaching in food and agricultural sciences. Research foundations maintained by an eligible institution may also submit proposals. A key requirement is that the applicant institution must be able to confer a graduate degree in at least one targeted expertise shortage area. Individual students cannot apply, and individuals seeking support for their own graduate education must instead work through a participating institution if that institution receives an award and selects Fellows.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity in the Agriculture Education category, listed under CFDA 10.210 (Higher Education Graduate Fellowships Grant Program). The FY 2011 posting date was March 29, 2011, with an application deadline of June 1, 2011, and an archive date of July 1, 2011. The estimated total funding was $3.6 million, with individual awards ranging from a floor of $4,500 to a ceiling of $262,500. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity, which can reduce barriers for institutions that might otherwise struggle to contribute required non-federal funds.
For reference and tracking, the funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA HEP 003435. Applicants needing help accessing the announcement or troubleshooting submissions were directed to the NIFA Help Desk (202-401-5048) during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grants program (NNF)?
The Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grants program (NNF) is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant program that funds university-run graduate fellowship training programs. The goal is to move more highly qualified students into areas of national workforce need within the food and agricultural sciences by strengthening graduate education and aligning training with USDA mission science priorities.
Does NNF fund individual students directly?
No. NNF does not award funding directly to individual students. Grants are awarded to eligible institutions, which then recruit, train, and support outstanding masters and doctoral students (Fellows) in targeted expertise shortage areas.
Who can apply for an NNF grant?
Eligibility is limited to institutions (not individuals). Eligible applicants include land-grant institutions; colleges and universities with significant minority enrollments and demonstrated capacity to teach food and agricultural sciences; the University of the District of Columbia; and other colleges and universities that can demonstrate the capacity to carry out teaching in food and agricultural sciences. Research foundations maintained by an eligible institution may also submit proposals.
Can a student apply for an NNF fellowship on their own?
No. Individual students cannot apply to NNF. Students seeking support must work through a participating institution, and may be selected as Fellows if that institution receives an award and recruits/selects fellows under its funded training program.
What academic levels are supported (masters, doctoral, postdoctoral)?
For the FY 2011 cycle, NIFA indicated it planned to support both masters-level and doctoral-level graduate fellowship training grants. Postdoctoral fellowships are explicitly not supported under this announcement.
If postdoctoral fellowships are not supported, what alternatives are mentioned?
The announcement points applicants interested in predoctoral or postdoctoral fellowships to other mechanisms such as the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).
What is the main purpose of the NNF program?
The central purpose is workforce development: building a strong pipeline of well-prepared professionals and researchers by improving graduate training quality, strengthening graduate education, and aligning university training programs with documented national needs in USDA mission-related sciences.
What are "targeted expertise shortage areas"?
The program supports fellows in targeted expertise shortage areas tied to USDA mission sciences. The institution must be able to confer a graduate degree in at least one of these targeted shortage areas to be eligible.
What must an institution demonstrate in its proposal?
Competitive applications are expected to explain the philosophy and structure of the proposed graduate training program, and show how the training aligns with USDA mission science and NIFA priorities. Proposals are also expected to demonstrate awareness of and responsiveness to national workforce projections and research/education recommendations (for example, from the National Research Council and the National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the National Science Foundation Survey of Earned Doctorates).
What kinds of competencies does NNF emphasize for fellows?
The program emphasizes a next-generation workforce with 21st-century competencies, including research-based knowledge, the ability to assess and apply evidence, and effective use of technology and resources in food and agricultural systems.
Does the program include an emphasis on diversity?
Yes. Funded projects are expected to promote a diverse talent pipeline for USDA mission areas as part of the workforce-development focus.
How is NNF funding structured?
Funding under this opportunity is structured around two main components: (1) a stipend that supports the Fellow, and (2) a cost-of-education allowance paid to the institution to help cover training and education-related expenses.
How long is the expected project period?
The expected project period is typically up to five years. Some funded projects may run for a shorter period, but five years is stated as the maximum.
What is IRTA (International Study or Thesis/Dissertation Research Travel Allowances)?
IRTA refers to International Study or Thesis/Dissertation Research Travel Allowances. These allowances are intended to help eligible USDA Fellows conduct research or pursue study experiences outside the United States when the travel is directly connected to the fellow's thesis or dissertation work.
Is IRTA funding automatically included with an NNF award?
No. IRTA funding is not automatically included. It is only available as described in the announcement.
How do current NNF Fellows request IRTA travel support?
For current eligible NNF Fellows, IRTA requests must be submitted as a standalone application. That means institutions apply separately for the travel support rather than bundling it into the original training grant request.
What category and program listing applies to this grant?
This is described as a discretionary grant opportunity in the Agriculture Education category. It is listed under CFDA 10.210 (Higher Education Graduate Fellowships Grant Program).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA HEP 003435.
What were the key dates for the FY 2011 cycle mentioned?
For FY 2011, the posting date was March 29, 2011. The application deadline was June 1, 2011, and the archive date was July 1, 2011.
How much funding was estimated to be available, and what were the award sizes?
The estimated total funding was $3.6 million. Individual awards ranged from a floor of $4,500 to a ceiling of $262,500.
Is cost-sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated for this opportunity.
Where could applicants get help with access or submission troubleshooting?
Applicants needing help accessing the announcement or troubleshooting submissions were directed to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during business hours.
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