Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 003954
Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 003954
- 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 Sep 27, 2012 and posted on Sep 27, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 8, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $4,770,000.00 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).
- Applications may be submitted by (a) U.S. public or private nonprofit colleges and universities offering a baccalaureate or first professional degree in at least one discipline or area of the food and agricultural sciences (b) land grant colleges and universities, (including land grant institutions in the Insular Areas) (c) colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences and (d) 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 Higher Education Challenge Grants Program is a competitive grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to strengthen higher education in the food and agricultural sciences through innovative, model-worthy projects. The program is designed to support efforts that respond to clear educational needs at the state, regional, national, or even international level, with an emphasis on approaches that are creative or non-traditional and can be replicated by other institutions. A central theme is collaboration: projects are expected to improve working relationships within the university science and education community and also build stronger ties between universities and the private sector, both to raise program quality and to stretch available resources. NIFA also signals that it is looking for lasting impact, meaning outcomes should continue to provide benefits beyond the formal project period and beyond the timeframe of USDA funding.
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA CGP 003954; CFDA 10.217) falls under the discretionary funding category and uses a standard grant funding instrument. The overall activity area is agriculture education, with the specific aim of improving teaching capacity, curriculum, and educational delivery in disciplines connected to food and agricultural sciences. While the announcement does not list specific project types in the excerpt provided, the stated goals strongly suggest that competitive proposals would typically involve curriculum modernization, new instructional models, cross-institution partnerships, industry engagement, and other teaching-focused improvements that can be demonstrated, evaluated, and shared as best practices.
The program requires cost sharing or matching, so applicants must plan to contribute non-federal resources alongside the federal award. This is an important planning detail because it affects budgeting, partner commitments, and institutional approvals, and it generally means proposals should show strong buy-in from the institution and/or external partners.
Funding levels indicate a moderate-to-large grant scale for higher education projects. The estimated total funding available for the competition was $4,770,000, with individual awards ranging from a floor of $30,000 up to a ceiling of $750,000. These parameters suggest the program can support both smaller, targeted interventions and larger, multi-component initiatives, as long as the proposal clearly meets the program criteria and demonstrates broad value.
Eligibility is centered on U.S. higher education institutions with the capacity to teach food and agricultural sciences. Applicants may include U.S. public or private nonprofit colleges and universities that offer a baccalaureate or first professional degree in at least one food or agricultural science discipline. Land-grant universities are explicitly eligible, including land-grant institutions in the Insular Areas. Institutions with significant minority enrollments are also highlighted as eligible if they can demonstrate the ability to carry out teaching in the food and agricultural sciences, and the program remains open to other colleges and universities that can similarly demonstrate that capacity. In the listing of eligible applicants, both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education are named, along with a category indicating that additional types of applicants may be possible as clarified in the full announcement.
Key dates in the archived competition show the notice was posted on September 27, 2012, and the application deadline was February 8, 2013, with the archive date listed as March 10, 2013. Even though these dates indicate this specific posting is historical, the details still provide a clear picture of how NIFA structures this challenge-grant program: competitive, teaching-centered, partnership-driven, and focused on scalable, enduring educational improvements.
For support, NIFA provided a help desk contact for difficulties accessing the full announcement (202-401-5048) during standard business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, excluding federal holidays). The notice also indicates there is assistance available for questions related to preparing application content, which typically means prospective applicants could seek clarification on proposal requirements, allowable costs, matching expectations, and submission details through the channels identified in the full announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Higher Education Challenge Grants Program?
The Higher Education Challenge Grants Program is a competitive grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is intended to strengthen higher education in the food and agricultural sciences through innovative, model-worthy projects that can be shared and replicated by other institutions.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The program supports projects that address clear educational needs (state, regional, national, or even international) and improve teaching capacity, curriculum, and educational delivery in disciplines connected to food and agricultural sciences. Emphasis is placed on creative or non-traditional approaches and on producing outcomes that last beyond the formal project period and beyond the timeframe of USDA funding.
Who administers this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. The program is described as a competitive grant opportunity, meaning applications are reviewed and selected based on how well they meet the program goals and criteria.
What type of funding is this (discretionary vs. mandatory)?
The opportunity falls under the discretionary funding category.
What funding instrument is used?
The opportunity uses a standard grant funding instrument.
What is the activity area for this program?
The overall activity area is agriculture education, specifically focused on strengthening higher education teaching and learning in food and agricultural science disciplines.
What kinds of projects does this program support?
The excerpt does not list specific project types. However, the stated goals indicate that competitive proposals would typically include teaching-focused improvements such as curriculum modernization, new instructional models, cross-institution partnerships, private sector engagement, and other improvements that can be demonstrated, evaluated, and shared as best practices.
What does NIFA mean by “innovative” or “model-worthy” projects?
Based on the announcement language, “innovative” and “model-worthy” refers to approaches that are creative or non-traditional, address clear educational needs, and can be replicated by other institutions to improve higher education in the food and agricultural sciences.
Does the program emphasize collaboration?
Yes. Collaboration is described as a central theme. Projects are expected to improve working relationships within the university science and education community and build stronger ties between universities and the private sector to improve program quality and stretch resources.
Does the program require partnerships with the private sector?
The program places a strong emphasis on building stronger ties between universities and the private sector. The excerpt frames this as an expectation of projects to help raise program quality and make resources go further.
What does “lasting impact” mean for this opportunity?
NIFA indicates it is looking for outcomes that continue to provide benefits beyond the formal project period and beyond the timeframe of USDA funding. In other words, the project’s results should be durable and not end when the grant ends.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The program requires cost sharing or matching, meaning applicants must contribute non-federal resources alongside the federal award.
How does the cost sharing requirement affect applicants?
The cost sharing requirement affects budgeting, partner commitments, and institutional approvals. Proposals generally need to show strong buy-in from the institution and/or external partners because non-federal resources must be committed as part of the project.
How much funding is available under this competition?
The estimated total funding available for the competition was $4,770,000.
What is the award size range for individual grants?
Individual awards range from $30,000 (floor) to $750,000 (ceiling), indicating the program can support both smaller targeted projects and larger, multi-component initiatives.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is centered on U.S. higher education institutions that can teach food and agricultural sciences. Eligible applicants may include U.S. public or private nonprofit colleges and universities that offer a baccalaureate or first professional degree in at least one food or agricultural science discipline.
Are land-grant universities eligible?
Yes. Land-grant universities are explicitly eligible, including land-grant institutions in the Insular Areas.
Are institutions with significant minority enrollments eligible?
Yes. Institutions with significant minority enrollments are highlighted as eligible if they can demonstrate the ability to carry out teaching in the food and agricultural sciences.
Are both public and private institutions eligible?
Yes. The eligible applicant listing includes both public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education, with an indication that additional applicant types may be possible as clarified in the full announcement.
Do applicants need to demonstrate teaching capacity in food and agricultural sciences?
Yes. The eligibility description emphasizes that institutions must have the capacity to teach food and agricultural sciences, and some categories of institutions are noted as eligible if they can demonstrate that capacity.
What are the identifying numbers for this funding opportunity?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA CGP 003954, and the CFDA number is 10.217.
When was this notice posted, and what were the key dates?
The archived competition shows the notice was posted on September 27, 2012. The application deadline was February 8, 2013, and the archive date is listed as March 10, 2013.
Is this specific posting current or historical?
The dates provided indicate this specific posting is historical (archived). Even so, the summary describes how NIFA structured this challenge-grant program: competitive, teaching-centered, partnership-driven, and focused on scalable, enduring educational improvements.
Where can applicants get help if they cannot access the full announcement?
NIFA provided a help desk contact for difficulties accessing the full announcement at 202-401-5048, available Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, excluding federal holidays.
Is there support for questions about preparing the application?
Yes. The notice indicates assistance is available for questions related to preparing application content. This typically includes clarifications on proposal requirements, allowable costs, matching expectations, and submission details through channels identified in the full announcement.
Browse more business programs for Higher Education
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture Education
Next opportunity: Brownfields Area Wide Planning Grant
Previous opportunity: Cancer Center Support Grants (CCSGs) for NCI designated Cancer Centers (P30)
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 CGP 003954
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA CGP 003954) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Secondary Education, Two Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K 12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA SAECP 003955 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SAECP 003955 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 004068 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 004068 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $850,000 |
| Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP) Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004030 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 004030 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $2,800,000 |
| Children, Youth and Families at Risk Sustainable Community Projects Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004088 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 004088 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $160,000 |
| Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG) Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 004090 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 004090 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Capacity Building Grants for Non Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program Apply for USDA NIFA NLGCA 004248 Funding Number: USDA NIFA NLGCA 004248 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grant Program Apply for USDA NIFA HEP 004338 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HEP 004338 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $262,500 |
| Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 004337 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HEMS 004337 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 004414 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 004414 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $110,000 |
| Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG) Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 004413 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 004413 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $70,000 |
| Higher Education Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 004425 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CGP 004425 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Secondary Education, Two Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K 12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA SAECP 004424 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SAECP 004424 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Children, Youth, and Families At Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Community Projects Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004490 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 004490 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $175,000 |
| Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (RIIA) Apply for USDA CSREES RIGP 002074 Funding Number: USDA CSREES RIGP 002074 Agency: CSREES Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $745,000 |
| Secondary Education, Two Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K 12 Classroom Challenge Grants Apply for USDA CSREES SAECP 002584 Funding Number: USDA CSREES SAECP 002584 Agency: CSREES Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 002644 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CGP 002644 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Youth Farm Safety Education and Certification Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 002673 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 002673 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Alaska Native Serving and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program (ANNH) Apply for USDA NIFA AHSI 002819 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AHSI 002819 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (RIIA) and Distance Education Grants for Insular Areas (DEG) Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 002820 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 002820 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Higher Education Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 003378 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CGP 003378 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $750,000 |
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 CGP 003954", 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.