Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA TCRGP 005536
Apply for USDA NIFA TCRGP 005536
- The USDA-NIFA in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.227.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 15, 2015 and posted on Dec 15, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 25, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $220,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP) is a competitive grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). It is intended specifically to strengthen the research capacity of the 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, commonly known as Tribal Colleges and Universities. The central purpose is practical and community-facing: the program supports applied research projects that both improve student educational experiences and tackle real problems affecting Tribal communities, reservations, or broader regional areas. Rather than funding purely theoretical work, the emphasis is on research that can be put to use, producing outcomes that matter to students, local stakeholders, and community needs.
A key feature of TCRGP is that it requires partnership. Applicants must collaborate with an 1862 or 1890 Land-Grant Institution, which are the longstanding land-grant universities established under earlier federal designations. This collaboration requirement is meant to expand mentoring, technical support, and shared infrastructure, helping Tribal Colleges build long-term institutional strength in research design, implementation, and dissemination. In practice, proposals are expected to show a real working relationship, not just a nominal connection, with clear roles that contribute to the Tribal College leading and benefiting from the project.
Projects may be proposed in any discipline within the food and agricultural sciences, which gives applicants wide latitude. This can include areas such as agriculture production, natural resources, environmental and ecological work, food systems, nutrition, community health as it relates to food, agricultural economics, climate resilience, water and soil issues, or other related fields that fit within USDA and NIFA priorities. The program is structured to encourage work that aligns academic research with on-the-ground problem solving, including issues that directly affect Tribal lands and local economies.
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA NIFA TCRGP 005536) falls under the discretionary grant category, with the funding instrument being a standard grant. It is associated with CFDA number 10.227, indicating its placement within USDA assistance programs. The maximum award amount listed is $220,000 (award ceiling), and awards are made through a competitive review process, meaning applications are evaluated against published criteria and funded based on merit and program fit relative to other submissions. The posting date and creation date are both December 15, 2015, and the application deadline for this particular notice was February 25, 2016. Eligibility is oriented to 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, with the official listing indicating "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," which in context refers to the program targeting Tribal Colleges while also requiring a formal collaboration with an 1862 or 1890 Land-Grant partner.
Overall, TCRGP is best understood as a capacity-building research program that uses applied, community-relevant projects as the vehicle for developing stronger research programs at Tribal Colleges. The required land-grant collaboration, the applied focus, and the broad scope across food and agricultural sciences are the defining elements of the opportunity.
Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP) FAQs
What is the Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP)?
The Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP) is a competitive grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). It is designed to strengthen research capacity at the 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, commonly known as Tribal Colleges and Universities.
What is the main purpose of TCRGP?
The program supports applied research projects that improve student educational experiences while also addressing real-world problems affecting Tribal communities, reservations, or broader regional areas. The emphasis is on practical research that can be used and that produces outcomes relevant to students and community stakeholders.
Does TCRGP fund theoretical or purely academic research?
Based on the program description, TCRGP emphasizes applied, community-facing research rather than purely theoretical work. Projects are expected to focus on outcomes that matter to students and community needs.
Who runs and administers this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by USDA-NIFA (U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture).
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. TCRGP is described as a competitive grant opportunity, with awards made through a competitive review process. Applications are evaluated against published criteria and funded based on merit and program fit relative to other submissions.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument for this opportunity is a standard grant.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The maximum award amount listed (award ceiling) is $220,000.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA TCRGP 005536.
What CFDA number is associated with this program?
The program is associated with CFDA number 10.227.
What kinds of projects does TCRGP support?
TCRGP supports applied research projects that both (1) improve student educational experiences and (2) address practical problems affecting Tribal communities, reservations, or broader regional areas. The program is described as capacity-building, using applied research as the vehicle to develop stronger research programs at Tribal Colleges.
What disciplines or topic areas are eligible under TCRGP?
Projects may be proposed in any discipline within the food and agricultural sciences. The description indicates a broad scope, including examples such as agriculture production, natural resources, environmental and ecological work, food systems, nutrition, community health as it relates to food, agricultural economics, climate resilience, and water and soil issues, as well as other related fields consistent with USDA and NIFA priorities.
Is collaboration required to apply?
Yes. A key feature of TCRGP is that applicants must collaborate with an 1862 or 1890 Land-Grant Institution.
Who are the required collaboration partners?
Applicants must partner with an 1862 or 1890 Land-Grant Institution (land-grant universities established under earlier federal designations). The collaboration requirement is intended to expand mentoring, technical support, and shared infrastructure.
What is the purpose of requiring a partnership with an 1862 or 1890 Land-Grant Institution?
The partnership requirement is intended to help Tribal Colleges build long-term institutional strength in research design, implementation, and dissemination by providing mentoring, technical support, and access to shared infrastructure through the collaboration.
What does USDA-NIFA expect from the partnership (beyond having a partner listed)?
Proposals are expected to show a real working relationship rather than a nominal connection. The project narrative should reflect clear roles and contributions, with the Tribal College leading and benefiting from the project.
Who is eligible to apply for TCRGP?
Eligibility is oriented to 1994 Land-Grant Institutions (Tribal Colleges and Universities). The listing includes "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," which in context aligns with the program targeting Tribal Colleges while requiring formal collaboration with an 1862 or 1890 Land-Grant partner.
How should TCRGP be understood in terms of goals and outcomes?
TCRGP is best described as a research capacity-building program for Tribal Colleges. Its defining elements are (1) an applied, community-relevant research focus, (2) a required collaboration with an 1862 or 1890 Land-Grant Institution, and (3) a broad scope across food and agricultural sciences.
What are the posting date and creation date for this notice?
The posting date and creation date listed for this particular notice are both December 15, 2015.
What was the application deadline for this specific notice?
The application deadline for this particular notice was February 25, 2016.
Is this opportunity categorized as discretionary or mandatory funding?
This opportunity is listed under the discretionary grant category.
What geographic or community context is emphasized for project impacts?
The description emphasizes impacts that address problems affecting Tribal communities, reservations, or broader regional areas, with outcomes relevant to students, local stakeholders, and community needs.
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