Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 003871
Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 003871
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.220 Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Grant Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 2, 2012 and posted on Jul 2, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 29, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $990,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $600,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- Pursuant to section 1417 of the NARETPA of 1977 (99 Stat. 1548 7 U.S.C. 3152). 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, and (3) 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 undergraduate and/or D.V.M. training proposals under this RFA. Applicants should be institutions that confer an undergraduate or D.V.M. degree in at least one of the disciplines in the food and agricultural sciences.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (HEMS) is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). Its central aim is to strengthen the pipeline of students entering food and agricultural science careers by increasing multicultural diversity in the scientific and professional workforce. In practice, the program supports colleges and universities that want to run or expand undergraduate scholarship efforts tied to academic training in food and agricultural sciences, with the broader goal of improving educational achievement and access to these fields across the United States. NIFA notes that the Multicultural Scholars Program is offered every year, making it a recurring source of support for institutions that build ongoing scholarship and training pathways.
Funding is provided through a competitive grant process under CFDA 10.220 (Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Grant Program). For the referenced funding cycle (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA HEMS 003871), NIFA estimated total available funding at $990,000, with individual awards ranging from a floor of $20,000 up to a ceiling of $600,000. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching funds, which can make it more accessible for institutions that may have limited non-federal resources to contribute. The opportunity was originally posted on July 2, 2012, with an application deadline of August 29, 2012, and an archive date of September 28, 2012, reflecting that the specific notice is historical even though the program itself is described as annual.
Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, including public and state-controlled universities as well as private institutions. Eligibility is grounded in Section 1417 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act (NARETPA) of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152). Applications may be submitted by land-grant institutions, 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 similarly demonstrate the capacity to deliver instruction in these disciplines. In addition, research foundations maintained by an eligible college or university may apply for support for undergraduate and/or D.V.M. (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) training proposals under the request for applications. A key institutional requirement is that the applicant must confer an undergraduate or D.V.M. degree in at least one discipline within the food and agricultural sciences, aligning the program squarely with degree-granting training pipelines rather than general outreach alone.
As a scholarship-focused program, the intended use of funds is to help institutions recruit, support, and graduate students from diverse multicultural backgrounds into food and agricultural science fields, thereby expanding representation in related academic and professional sectors. While the notice emphasizes undergraduate scholarships, it also explicitly allows D.V.M. training proposals through eligible university-affiliated research foundations, signaling interest in strengthening multiple high-need career tracks within agriculture and food systems, including veterinary medicine.
For applicants needing assistance, the announcement provides a practical support route through the NIFA Help Desk for technical access issues (phone: 202-401-5048, weekdays 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays). The notice also indicates that there is separate contact support for questions related to preparing application content, reinforcing that institutions can seek guidance both for system access and for proposal development.
Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (HEMS) FAQs
What is the Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (HEMS)?
The Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (HEMS) is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). It supports colleges and universities that want to run or expand undergraduate scholarship efforts tied to academic training in food and agricultural sciences.
What is the main goal of HEMS?
HEMS aims to strengthen the pipeline of students entering food and agricultural science careers by increasing multicultural diversity in the scientific and professional workforce. It is intended to improve educational achievement and access to food and agricultural science fields across the United States.
Is HEMS offered every year?
USDA NIFA notes that the Multicultural Scholars Program is offered every year, making it a recurring opportunity for institutions that build ongoing scholarship and training pathways.
Who administers this grant program?
The program is administered by USDA NIFA (the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is run under CFDA 10.220 (Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Grant Program).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number referenced in the notice?
The referenced funding cycle lists Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA HEMS 003871.
How much total funding was estimated to be available for the referenced funding cycle?
For the referenced cycle, NIFA estimated total available funding at $990,000.
What is the minimum and maximum award size?
Individual awards were expected to range from a floor of $20,000 to a ceiling of $600,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching funds.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, including public and state-controlled universities as well as private institutions, as described under Section 1417 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act (NARETPA) of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152).
Which types of institutions are specifically mentioned as eligible?
The notice indicates that applications may be submitted by land-grant institutions, 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 demonstrate the capacity to deliver instruction in these disciplines.
Can a university-affiliated research foundation apply?
Yes. Research foundations maintained by an eligible college or university may apply for support for undergraduate and/or D.V.M. (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) training proposals under the request for applications.
What degree programs must an applicant institution offer to meet the requirement described in the notice?
The applicant must confer an undergraduate or D.V.M. degree in at least one discipline within the food and agricultural sciences.
What types of students and training does HEMS focus on?
The program is scholarship-focused and is intended to help institutions recruit, support, and graduate students from diverse multicultural backgrounds into food and agricultural science fields. While the notice emphasizes undergraduate scholarships, it also allows D.V.M. training proposals through eligible university-affiliated research foundations.
What kinds of activities are supported by the grant?
Based on the notice, funds are intended to support undergraduate scholarship efforts tied to academic training in food and agricultural sciences, including recruitment, student support, and efforts that help students complete degrees and enter related careers.
Does the notice indicate whether this specific posting is current or historical?
The notice reflects a specific historical posting: it was originally posted on July 2, 2012, had an application deadline of August 29, 2012, and an archive date of September 28, 2012. However, the program itself is described as being offered annually.
What were the key dates for the referenced notice?
The referenced notice lists an original posting date of July 2, 2012, an application deadline of August 29, 2012, and an archive date of September 28, 2012.
How are awards made?
Funding is provided through a competitive grant process.
Where can applicants get help with technical access issues?
For technical access issues, the notice directs applicants to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048, available weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
Is there support for questions about preparing the application content?
Yes. The notice indicates there is separate contact support for questions related to preparing application content, in addition to the Help Desk support for technical access issues.
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