Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA TCRGP 003993
Apply for USDA NIFA TCRGP 003993
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.227 1994 Institutions Research Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 19, 2012 and posted on Nov 19, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 14, 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 $1,600,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 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 any Tribal College or University designated as a 1994 Institution under the Educational Land Grant Status Act of 1994, as amended.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA), is a discretionary grant opportunity intended to strengthen the research capacity of Tribal Colleges and Universities that hold 1994 Land-Grant status. The central aim is to help these institutions build and expand institutional research infrastructure through practical, applied research projects that both support student educational needs and address real-world challenges affecting Tribal communities, reservations, and surrounding regions. Projects are expected to be grounded in problems that matter locally and regionally, with an emphasis on producing usable results rather than purely theoretical outcomes.
A key feature of this program is that awards are made through a competitive peer review process. Proposals are evaluated against program priorities and merit criteria, and funding decisions are based on how well an application demonstrates a sound project design, clear benefits to students and communities, and an overall plan that strengthens the college's ability to conduct research over time. Another defining requirement is collaboration: applicants must partner with an 1862 or 1890 Land-Grant Institution, reinforcing the program's goal of leveraging broader land-grant networks to share expertise, facilities, mentoring, and research experience while building lasting capacity at the 1994 institution.
Eligible applicants are Tribal Colleges and Universities designated as 1994 Institutions under the Educational Land Grant Status Act of 1994 (as amended). The listing also references eligible applicant categories such as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, but the program-specific eligibility centers on 1994 Tribal Colleges and Universities. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the barrier to participation for institutions that may have limited resources to provide non-federal match.
In terms of subject matter, the program is broadly open to projects across the food and agricultural sciences. That flexibility allows applicants to propose work in many disciplines connected to agriculture and food systems, including areas such as crop and livestock systems, natural resources and environmental stewardship, nutrition and food security, agricultural economics and rural development, education and extension-related research, and other applied topics that align with community needs. The intent is to support research that can simultaneously enhance student learning and training while delivering practical solutions to community, reservation, or regional problems.
For this particular funding cycle (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA TCRGP 003993), the opportunity was posted on November 19, 2012, with an application closing date of February 14, 2013. The estimated total program funding was $1,600,000, with an award ceiling of $200,000 per grant. The funding instrument type is a grant, the activity category is agriculture, and the CFDA number is 10.227 (1994 Institutions Research Program). Although this notice is archived (archive date March 16, 2013), it describes the structure and intent of the program: competitively awarded applied research grants that build capacity at Tribal Colleges through required collaboration with other land-grant partners.
For support, the notice points applicants to the NIFA Help Desk for technical difficulty accessing the full announcement, with contact by phone at 202-401-5048 during federal business hours, and indicates that additional assistance is available for questions related to preparing application content.
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 discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). Its purpose is to strengthen the research capacity of Tribal Colleges and Universities that hold 1994 Land-Grant status by supporting practical, applied research projects that build institutional research infrastructure over time.
What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?
The central aim is to help eligible Tribal Colleges and Universities build and expand institutional research infrastructure. Funded projects are expected to improve the institution's ability to conduct research long-term while also supporting student educational needs and addressing real-world challenges affecting Tribal communities, reservations, and surrounding regions.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are Tribal Colleges and Universities designated as 1994 Institutions under the Educational Land Grant Status Act of 1994 (as amended). While the listing mentions broader higher-education categories (such as public/state-controlled and private institutions of higher education), the program-specific eligibility centers on 1994 Tribal Colleges and Universities.
Is collaboration required to apply?
Yes. A defining requirement of the program is collaboration: applicants must partner with an 1862 or 1890 Land-Grant Institution. This requirement supports the program's intent to leverage broader land-grant networks for shared expertise, facilities, mentoring, and research experience while building lasting research capacity at the 1994 institution.
What kinds of projects does TCRGP fund?
TCRGP supports practical, applied research projects. Projects should be grounded in problems that matter locally and regionally and should emphasize usable results rather than purely theoretical outcomes. Projects are also expected to support student learning and training while delivering benefits to communities.
What subject areas are eligible under this program?
The program is broadly open to projects across the food and agricultural sciences. Examples mentioned include crop and livestock systems, natural resources and environmental stewardship, nutrition and food security, agricultural economics and rural development, education and extension-related research, and other applied topics aligned with community needs.
How are proposals selected for funding?
Awards are made through a competitive peer review process. Proposals are evaluated against program priorities and merit criteria, and funding decisions depend on how well an application presents a sound project design, clear benefits to students and communities, and a plan that strengthens the institution's research capacity over time.
What does "building research capacity" mean in this program?
In the context of this opportunity, building research capacity refers to strengthening the college's ability to conduct research over time by expanding or improving institutional research infrastructure and experience. The program emphasizes partnerships, applied research practice, and lasting capability rather than one-time, isolated outcomes.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, reducing barriers for institutions that may have limited resources to provide non-federal match.
What is the funding instrument type and activity category?
The funding instrument type is a grant, and the activity category is agriculture.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 10.227 (1994 Institutions Research Program).
What was the estimated total funding available for this funding cycle?
The estimated total program funding for this funding cycle was $1,600,000.
What was the maximum award amount per grant?
The award ceiling was $200,000 per grant.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number provided is USDA NIFA TCRGP 003993.
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
This opportunity was posted on November 19, 2012, and the application closing date was February 14, 2013.
Is this funding notice current?
The notice is described as archived, with an archive date of March 16, 2013. The archived notice still outlines the structure and intent of the program, including competitive awards for applied research that builds capacity and the required collaboration with land-grant partners.
What kinds of benefits should projects demonstrate?
Based on the description, projects should demonstrate benefits to students (including educational needs and training) and to Tribal communities, reservations, or surrounding regions by addressing practical, real-world problems and producing usable results.
Where can applicants get help if they have technical issues accessing the full announcement?
The notice points applicants to the NIFA Help Desk for technical difficulties accessing the full announcement. The phone number provided is 202-401-5048, available during federal business hours.
Is there assistance available for application content questions?
Yes. The notice indicates that additional assistance is available for questions related to preparing application content.
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