Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 003177
Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 003177
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "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 Apr 23, 2010 and posted on Apr 23, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 28, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,100,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $480,000.00 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, 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 baccalaureate or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine training proposals under this Request for Application. Individual students may NOT apply to this program to support their academic training. The anticipated award date is January 14, 2011. Applicants should be institutions that confer the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or a Baccalaureate degree in at least one of the Program Areas of Emphasis. Awards are made to eligible colleges and universities. Individuals seeking support to further their undergraduate education or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine training are not eligible to apply for these grants.
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Opportunity Summary:
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Multicultural Scholars Program is a competitive scholarship and training grant opportunity designed to strengthen and diversify the nation s food and agricultural science workforce. Rather than funding individual students directly, the program provides grant awards to eligible colleges and universities so they can recruit, support, and train undergraduate students and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students in targeted, high-need disciplines. The larger aim is twofold: to broaden multicultural participation in food and agricultural careers and to improve educational outcomes by building strong institutional pathways that help students persist, graduate, and move into advanced study or professional employment.
The program focuses on six specific Emphasis Areas: (1) Veterinary Medicine leading to the first professional DVM degree, (2) Agricultural Sciences and Engineering for Bioenergy, (3) Natural Resources Sciences, (4) Human Sciences, (5) Food Science and Human Nutrition, and (6) Agrosecurity Science. Funded projects are expected to deliver structured training that prepares students for immediate entry into the food and agricultural sciences workforce and also increases the pipeline of undergraduates who continue into graduate education. A central rationale highlighted in the opportunity is closing participation gaps in graduate school enrollment, particularly the disparities among White, Latino, and African American populations, in order to keep the U.S. higher education and research enterprise competitive and to ensure the future workforce better reflects the country s demographics.
Successful proposals are expected to go beyond tuition assistance and address the full set of factors that influence student success. This includes academic preparation and support, as well as strong social and professional infrastructure such as tutoring, mentoring, cohort support, research experiences, and potentially study abroad opportunities. The program emphasizes intentional student learning and professional development so scholars are not only retained in their majors, but also graduate on time and are positioned to matriculate into relevant graduate programs or transition into professional roles in agriculture, food systems, natural resources, nutrition, bioenergy, agrosecurity, and veterinary medicine.
A notable feature is the availability of Special Experiential Learning (SEL) opportunities, which can support eligible USDA Multicultural Scholars in conducting research or undertaking studies at sites inside or outside the United States, when provided for within the announcement. In practice, these experiences are meant to deepen technical skills, broaden professional networks, and give scholars exposure to real world research or applied settings that strengthen their competitiveness for jobs and graduate programs.
Administratively, this is a discretionary grant program (CFDA 10.220) under the education funding activity category, and it does not require cost sharing or matching. The archived funding notice lists an estimated total funding level of 1,100,000, with individual award sizes ranging from 20,000 (floor) up to 480,000 (ceiling). The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA HEMS 003177. For this specific posting cycle, the opportunity was posted April 23, 2010, with an application closing date of July 28, 2010, an archive date of August 29, 2010, and an anticipated award date of January 14, 2011.
Eligibility is limited to institutions, not individuals. Applicants may include land grant institutions, colleges and universities with significant minority enrollments and demonstrated capacity to teach food and agricultural sciences, and other colleges and universities that can demonstrate the same instructional capacity. Both public (including state controlled) and private institutions of higher education may apply, and research foundations maintained by eligible institutions are also permitted to submit proposals for baccalaureate or DVM training under the request for applications. A key requirement is that applicant institutions must confer a DVM degree or a baccalaureate degree in at least one of the program emphasis areas. Individual students seeking scholarship support are explicitly not allowed to apply directly; instead, they would participate through a university program funded by one of these institutional grants.
For access issues or application system help, the announcement directs applicants to the NIFA Help Desk at 202 401 5048 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm ET, excluding federal holidays), and it notes that separate support is available for questions related to preparing application content.
USDA NIFA Multicultural Scholars Program (CFDA 10.220) FAQs
What is the USDA NIFA Multicultural Scholars Program?
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Multicultural Scholars Program is a competitive scholarship and training grant opportunity intended to strengthen and diversify the U.S. food and agricultural science workforce. It funds institutional programs that recruit, support, and train students in targeted, high-need disciplines.
Does this program award scholarships directly to individual students?
No. The program does not fund individual students directly. Grant awards are made to eligible colleges and universities, which then recruit and support undergraduate students and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students through an institution-run program.
Who is allowed to apply for this grant?
Eligibility is limited to institutions, not individuals. Eligible applicants may include land grant institutions, colleges and universities with significant minority enrollments and demonstrated capacity to teach food and agricultural sciences, and other colleges and universities that can demonstrate the same instructional capacity. Both public (including state-controlled) and private institutions of higher education may apply. Research foundations maintained by eligible institutions may also submit proposals for baccalaureate or DVM training.
Can individual students apply on their own?
No. Individual students seeking scholarship support are explicitly not allowed to apply directly. Students would participate through a university program funded by one of these institutional grants.
What degree programs must an applicant institution offer to be eligible?
A key requirement is that the applicant institution must confer either a DVM degree or a baccalaureate degree in at least one of the program emphasis areas.
What are the program emphasis areas?
The opportunity focuses on six emphasis areas:
- Veterinary Medicine leading to the first professional DVM degree
- Agricultural Sciences and Engineering for Bioenergy
- Natural Resources Sciences
- Human Sciences
- Food Science and Human Nutrition
- Agrosecurity Science
What is the main purpose of funding projects under this program?
Funded projects are expected to provide structured training that prepares students for immediate entry into the food and agricultural sciences workforce and strengthens the pipeline of undergraduates who continue into graduate education. The program also aims to broaden multicultural participation in food and agricultural careers and improve educational outcomes by building strong institutional pathways that help students persist, graduate, and move into advanced study or professional employment.
What kinds of student supports are expected in funded projects?
The program expects projects to go beyond tuition assistance and address the factors that influence student success. Examples mentioned include academic preparation and support, tutoring, mentoring, cohort support, research experiences, and potentially study abroad opportunities. The emphasis is on intentional learning and professional development to help scholars stay in their majors, graduate on time, and be competitive for graduate programs or professional roles.
What is Special Experiential Learning (SEL) in this program?
Special Experiential Learning (SEL) opportunities may be available to support eligible USDA Multicultural Scholars in conducting research or undertaking studies at sites inside or outside the United States, when such experiences are provided for within the announcement. These experiences are intended to deepen technical skills, broaden professional networks, and increase exposure to real-world research or applied settings.
What types of career or education pathways does the program aim to strengthen?
The program is designed to prepare participants to transition into professional roles or further study in agriculture, food systems, natural resources, nutrition, bioenergy, agrosecurity, and veterinary medicine, while also increasing the number of students who matriculate into relevant graduate programs.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states that cost sharing or matching is not required.
What kind of grant is this, administratively?
This is described as a discretionary grant program under CFDA 10.220, categorized as an education funding activity.
How much funding is available and what is the award size range?
The archived notice lists an estimated total funding level of 1,100,000. Individual award amounts range from a minimum (floor) of 20,000 to a maximum (ceiling) of 480,000.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA HEMS 003177.
When was this specific posting cycle open, and what were the key dates?
For the specific posting cycle described, the opportunity was posted on April 23, 2010. The application closing date was July 28, 2010. The archive date was August 29, 2010. The anticipated award date was January 14, 2011.
What is the program trying to address in terms of participation and workforce needs?
The opportunity highlights a rationale of closing participation gaps in graduate school enrollment, including disparities among White, Latino, and African American populations. The broader intent is to help keep the U.S. higher education and research enterprise competitive and to ensure the future food and agricultural workforce better reflects the country’s demographics.
Where should applicants go for technical help with access issues or the application system?
For access issues or application system help, the announcement directs applicants to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
Is there support available for questions about preparing the application content?
Yes. The announcement notes that separate support is available for questions related to preparing application content (distinct from application system or access help).
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