Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA WAMS 004491
Apply for USDA NIFA WAMS 004491
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture business and commerce community development education employment, labor and training environment natural resources regional development science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.318 Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 4, 2014 and posted on Mar 4, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 28, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $400,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $300,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- As contained in Section 7204 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) (Pub. L. 110 246 which amends Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925)), applications may only be submitted by eligible applicants and may be a collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally based network or partnership of public or private entities. Eligible applicants are (a) State agricultural experiment stations (b) colleges and universities (c) university research foundations (d) other research institutions and organizations (e) Federal agencies (f) national laboratories (g) private organizations or corporations (h) individuals or (i) any group consisting of two or more of the entities described in subparagraphs (a) through (h). Priority will be given to eligible institutions that carry out continuing programs funded by the Secretary.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS) is a discretionary grant program run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that funds research and extension projects designed to expand participation in STEM by women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas. The central idea is that projects should not only do STEM-related work, but also build strong, practical pathways that help rural women and minority populations enter, persist, and advance in STEM fields tied to USDA mission needs. A key expectation is robust collaboration, meaning proposals are meant to be built around partnerships or networks rather than isolated efforts, with clear roles for each partner and a plan that makes the collaboration essential to the outcomes.
WAMS focuses on STEM areas that align with USDA priorities identified by the Secretary. Those priorities include strengthening a safe, sufficient, and nutritious food supply in the United States and globally; promoting sustainable agricultural policies that support the economic viability of small and mid-sized farms and rural businesses while protecting natural resources and encouraging value-added agriculture; providing national leadership in climate change mitigation and adaptation; building a modern workplace with a modern workforce; and supporting 21st century rural communities. In practice, that means a competitive project would connect workforce development and participation goals to real USDA-relevant challenges, such as agricultural and food systems innovation, natural resources stewardship, climate-smart agriculture, rural economic development, and related applied science and technology needs. Because this is framed as research and extension, projects are generally expected to generate knowledge or evidence (research) and translate it into education, outreach, training, or technical assistance that reaches communities and learners (extension), especially in rural settings.
The opportunity was posted March 4, 2014, with an application deadline of April 28, 2014, and it was later archived on May 28, 2014. The estimated total funding available for this particular announcement was $400,000. Individual awards could be up to $300,000, with no stated minimum award amount (award floor listed as $0). The program requires cost sharing or matching, so applicants needed to plan for non-federal contributions consistent with the rules in the announcement and governing statute. The assistance listing associated with the program is CFDA 10.318, which corresponds to the Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields program.
Eligibility is broad but defined by statute. Under Section 7204 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, which amended earlier law, applications may be submitted only by eligible applicants and may be submitted by a collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally based network or partnership of public or private entities. Eligible applicants include state agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations or corporations; individuals; or any group consisting of two or more of those entity types. The notice also indicates that priority would be given to eligible institutions that carry out continuing programs funded by the Secretary, which generally signals a preference for organizations with established USDA-related programming capacity and an ongoing track record.
Overall, WAMS is designed for projects that combine STEM engagement and workforce pathway building with USDA-relevant problem areas, and that do so through meaningful partnerships that can reach and support rural women and underrepresented minority participants. For applicants, the practical takeaway is that competitiveness depends on a clear collaboration structure, a credible plan to increase participation (recruitment, training, mentoring, retention, transition into careers or further study), strong ties to rural communities, and a direct connection between the STEM focus areas and the USDA priority themes. For help accessing the announcement, NIFA provided support through its Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours (excluding federal holidays), and the opportunity listing included a link labeled "Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS)" for full details.
Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS) - FAQs
What is the WAMS program?
The Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS) is a discretionary grant program run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It funds research and extension projects intended to expand participation in STEM by women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The main purpose is to support projects that both (1) do STEM-related research and extension work and (2) build strong, practical pathways that help rural women and underrepresented minority populations enter, persist, and advance in STEM fields tied to USDA mission needs.
What kinds of projects does WAMS support?
WAMS supports research and extension projects. Based on the description, a competitive project typically generates knowledge or evidence (research) and then translates it into education, outreach, training, or technical assistance (extension), especially to reach communities and learners in rural settings.
Does WAMS require collaboration or partnerships?
Yes. A key expectation is robust collaboration. Proposals are intended to be built around partnerships or networks rather than isolated efforts, with clear roles for each partner and a plan showing that the collaboration is essential to achieving the outcomes.
Who is the target audience WAMS aims to serve?
The program is designed to expand STEM participation by women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas, with an emphasis on supporting entry, retention, and advancement in USDA-relevant STEM fields.
How should projects connect STEM participation goals to USDA needs?
Projects are expected to connect workforce development and participation goals to real USDA-relevant challenges and mission needs. The opportunity emphasizes aligning STEM activities with USDA priority themes identified by the Secretary.
What USDA priority areas are referenced for alignment?
The priorities identified include: strengthening a safe, sufficient, and nutritious food supply in the United States and globally; promoting sustainable agricultural policies that support the economic viability of small and mid-sized farms and rural businesses while protecting natural resources and encouraging value-added agriculture; providing national leadership in climate change mitigation and adaptation; building a modern workplace with a modern workforce; and supporting 21st century rural communities.
What are examples of USDA-relevant challenge areas mentioned for competitive projects?
The description points to areas such as agricultural and food systems innovation, natural resources stewardship, climate-smart agriculture, rural economic development, and related applied science and technology needs.
Is this opportunity focused on research, extension, or both?
Both. The program is framed as research and extension, meaning projects are generally expected to create knowledge/evidence and then translate it into practical education, outreach, training, or assistance.
When was this funding opportunity posted and when was it due?
The opportunity was posted on March 4, 2014, and the application deadline was April 28, 2014.
Is this opportunity still open?
No. The listing indicates it was archived on May 28, 2014.
How much total funding was available under this announcement?
The estimated total funding available for this particular announcement was $400,000.
What was the maximum award amount?
Individual awards could be up to $300,000.
Was there a minimum award amount?
No minimum award amount was stated. The award floor was listed as $0.
Does WAMS require cost sharing or matching?
Yes. The program requires cost sharing or matching, so applicants needed to plan non-federal contributions consistent with the rules in the announcement and the governing statute.
What is the CFDA number (assistance listing) for this program?
The assistance listing associated with WAMS is CFDA 10.318 (Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields).
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility is defined by statute. Under Section 7204 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (which amended earlier law), applications may be submitted only by eligible applicants and may be submitted by a collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally based network or partnership of public or private entities.
What types of entities were listed as eligible applicants?
Eligible applicants include state agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations or corporations; individuals; or any group consisting of two or more of those entity types.
Can individuals apply?
Yes. Individuals were included in the list of eligible applicants.
Can multiple organizations apply together as a group?
Yes. Eligibility includes any group consisting of two or more eligible entity types, and the notice describes submissions by a collaborative network or partnership of public or private entities.
Were any applicants given priority?
Yes. The notice indicated priority would be given to eligible institutions that carry out continuing programs funded by the Secretary, suggesting preference for organizations with established USDA-related programming capacity and an ongoing track record.
What practical elements were emphasized for a competitive application?
The description highlights that competitiveness depends on a clear collaboration structure, a credible plan to increase participation (including recruitment, training, mentoring, retention, and transition into careers or further study), strong ties to rural communities, and a direct connection between the STEM focus and USDA priority themes.
What kind of support was provided to access the announcement details?
NIFA provided support through its Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours (excluding federal holidays). The opportunity listing also referenced a link labeled "Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS)" for full details.
Which USDA office ran the program?
The program was run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Browse more business programs for Technology Service Providers, Engineering Companies, Women in Business
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture Business and Commerce Community Development Education Employment, Labor and Training Environment Natural Resources Regional Development Science and Technology and other Research and Develo
Next opportunity: Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grant Program
Previous opportunity: Addressing Emerging Infectious Diseases and the International Health Regulations
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 WAMS 004491
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA WAMS 004491) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Women And Minorities In Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS) Apply for USDA NIFA WAMS 003137 Funding Number: USDA NIFA WAMS 003137 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Business and Commerce Community Development Education Employment, Labor and Training Environment Natural Resources Regional Development Science and Technology and other Research and Develo Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Women And Minorities In Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS) Apply for USDA NIFA WAMS 003415 Funding Number: USDA NIFA WAMS 003415 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Business and Commerce Community Development Education Employment, Labor and Training Environment Natural Resources Regional Development Science and Technology and other Research and Develo Funding Amount: $300,000 |
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 WAMS 004491", 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.