Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 003378
Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 003378
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Higher Education Challenge Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.217 Higher Education Institution Challenge Grants Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 15, 2010 and posted on Nov 15, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 4, 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 $5,200,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- a) U.S. public or private, nonprofit colleges/universities offering baccalaureate or 1st professional degree in at least one discipline/area of food agricultural sciences b) land grant colleges/universities (including those in Insular Areas) c) colleges/universities having significant minority enrollments demonstrable capacity to teach food agricultural sciences d) colleges/universities having demonstrable capacity to teach food agricultural sciences.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Higher Education Challenge Grants Program (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA CGP 003378) is a discretionary grant competition run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.217, focused on improving higher education in the food and agricultural sciences. The program is designed to support projects that tackle important educational needs at the state, regional, national, or even international level, with an emphasis on approaches that are creative, non-traditional, and replicable so they can serve as models for other institutions. A core expectation is that projects do more than produce short-term results; they should generate lasting benefits that continue beyond the project period and beyond USDA funding.
A central theme of this opportunity is collaboration and capacity-building across the higher education ecosystem. Funded projects are expected to strengthen working relationships within the university science and education community and also build practical partnerships between universities and the private sector. The goal is to raise program quality and stretch available resources by encouraging shared expertise, coordinated efforts, and contributions that institutions may not be able to secure on their own. In other words, proposals are expected to show not only what will be taught or developed, but also how the project will leverage partnerships to produce stronger, more sustainable outcomes.
The funding instrument is a grant, and cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants should be prepared to document non-federal contributions toward the total project cost in line with the solicitation requirements. For this competition cycle, NIFA listed an estimated total funding amount of $5.2 million, with individual awards ranging from a floor of $30,000 to a ceiling of $750,000. The opportunity was posted on November 15, 2010, and applications were due February 4, 2011 (with the same date listed as both the original and current closing date). The archive date was March 5, 2011, indicating this specific announcement is no longer open, though it provides a clear picture of the program structure and priorities.
Eligibility is centered on U.S. institutions of higher education with the ability to deliver strong academic programming in food and agricultural sciences. Eligible applicants include U.S. public or private nonprofit colleges and universities that offer at least a baccalaureate or first professional degree in one or more food and agricultural science disciplines. Land-grant institutions are explicitly included, including land-grant colleges and universities in Insular Areas. The program also highlights inclusion of institutions with significant minority enrollments, provided they can demonstrate capacity to teach in the food and agricultural sciences, as well as other colleges and universities that can demonstrate such capacity. The eligible applicant categories also list public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, with a note that additional eligibility clarifications may appear in the full announcement text.
From a practical proposal standpoint, the strongest-fit projects under this program are typically those that identify a clearly defined educational gap or workforce need, propose an instructional or curricular innovation that is meaningfully different from standard practice, and show a credible plan for adoption beyond the host institution. Competitive concepts often include modernized curricula, interdisciplinary teaching models, experiential learning partnerships, improved instructional delivery methods, or other educational reforms that can be evaluated and shared broadly. Because the program stresses benefits that outlast USDA support, proposals generally need a thoughtful sustainability plan, such as institutionalization of curriculum changes, long-term partnership commitments, scalable learning resources, or train-the-trainer approaches that allow the model to propagate.
For applicants who need help accessing the full announcement or navigating the electronic materials, the notice provides a NIFA Help Desk contact number (202-401-5048) with business hours listed as Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays. The announcement also indicates separate support for questions related to preparing application content, suggesting applicants should use the provided points of contact in the full solicitation for programmatic and submission guidance.
Higher Education Challenge Grants Program (USDA NIFA) - FAQs
What is the Higher Education Challenge Grants Program?
The Higher Education Challenge Grants Program is a discretionary grant competition administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It supports projects that improve higher education in the food and agricultural sciences by addressing important educational needs at the state, regional, national, or international level.
What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA CGP 003378, and the CFDA number is 10.217.
What kinds of projects does this program prioritize?
The program prioritizes projects that tackle significant educational needs and use approaches that are creative, non-traditional, and replicable. Projects are expected to serve as models that other institutions can adopt or adapt, rather than producing only short-term, one-off results.
What does "challenge grants" mean in the context of this program?
Based on the program description provided, the "challenge" emphasis is tied to encouraging innovative educational solutions that strengthen capacity across higher education and that are designed to be sustainable and replicable beyond the initial project period and USDA funding.
Are projects expected to have benefits beyond the grant period?
Yes. A core expectation is that funded projects generate lasting benefits that continue beyond the project period and beyond USDA funding. Proposals are generally expected to include a credible sustainability plan.
What does sustainability look like for a competitive proposal?
Competitive proposals typically include plans such as institutionalizing curriculum changes, securing long-term partnership commitments, creating scalable learning resources, or using train-the-trainer approaches that allow the model to propagate after the grant ends.
Is collaboration required or encouraged?
Collaboration is a central theme. Funded projects are expected to strengthen working relationships within the university science and education community and to build practical partnerships between universities and the private sector.
Why does the program emphasize partnerships with the private sector?
The program aims to raise program quality and stretch available resources by encouraging shared expertise, coordinated efforts, and contributions that institutions may not be able to secure on their own. Private-sector partnerships are highlighted as one way to build practical, durable collaborations that strengthen outcomes.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants should be prepared to document non-federal contributions toward the total project cost in line with the solicitation requirements.
How much funding is available under this competition cycle?
NIFA listed an estimated total funding amount of $5.2 million for this competition cycle.
What is the award size range for individual grants?
Individual awards range from a minimum (floor) of $30,000 to a maximum (ceiling) of $750,000.
When was this funding opportunity posted and when were applications due?
The opportunity was posted on November 15, 2010. Applications were due February 4, 2011 (listed as both the original and current closing date).
Is this specific announcement currently open?
No. The archive date is March 5, 2011, which indicates this specific announcement is no longer open. The archived notice still provides a clear picture of the program structure and priorities described in the opportunity.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is centered on U.S. institutions of higher education that can deliver strong academic programming in food and agricultural sciences. Eligible applicants include U.S. public or private nonprofit colleges and universities offering at least a baccalaureate or first professional degree in one or more food and agricultural science disciplines.
Are land-grant institutions eligible?
Yes. Land-grant institutions are explicitly included, including land-grant colleges and universities in Insular Areas.
Are institutions with significant minority enrollments eligible?
Yes, the program highlights inclusion of institutions with significant minority enrollments, provided they can demonstrate capacity to teach in the food and agricultural sciences.
Are public and state-controlled institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. The eligible applicant categories list public and state-controlled institutions of higher education.
Are private institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. The eligible applicant categories list private institutions of higher education, with the broader eligibility description specifying U.S. public or private nonprofit colleges and universities.
Do applicants need to demonstrate capacity in food and agricultural sciences?
Yes. The eligibility description repeatedly emphasizes an institution's ability to teach and deliver strong academic programming in food and agricultural science disciplines.
What geographic scope of educational needs can projects address?
Projects may tackle educational needs at the state, regional, national, or international level.
What types of activities are considered a strong fit for this program?
Strong-fit projects typically identify a clearly defined educational gap or workforce need, propose an instructional or curricular innovation meaningfully different from standard practice, and include a credible plan for adoption beyond the host institution. Examples mentioned include modernized curricula, interdisciplinary teaching models, experiential learning partnerships, improved instructional delivery methods, or other educational reforms that can be evaluated and shared broadly.
How important is replicability and model-building?
Replicability is a major emphasis. Projects are expected to be designed so they can serve as models for other institutions, with approaches that can be adopted or replicated beyond the initial grantee.
Where can applicants get help accessing the full announcement or electronic materials?
The notice provides a NIFA Help Desk phone number: 202-401-5048. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
Who should applicants contact for questions about preparing application content?
The announcement indicates that separate support is available for questions related to preparing application content and suggests using the points of contact provided in the full solicitation for programmatic and submission guidance.
Does the notice mention that additional eligibility clarifications may apply?
Yes. The eligible applicant categories include a note that additional eligibility clarifications may appear in the full announcement text.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA CGP 003378) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (RIIA) Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 003393 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 003393 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $860,000 |
| Distance Education Grants for Insular Areas (DEG) Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 003396 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 003396 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $720,000 |
| Alaska Native Serving and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA AHSI 003407 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AHSI 003407 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Food And Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grants Apply for USDA NIFA HEP 003435 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HEP 003435 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $262,500 |
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