Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS) | Apply Online

WAMS Grant (USDA-NIFA) FAQs

What is the WAMS program?

The Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). It funds projects designed to increase participation and advancement of women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas in STEM fields that connect directly to USDA mission needs.

Who is the funding agency for this opportunity?

The funding agency is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifically the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

Is WAMS a discretionary grant or a formula program?

WAMS is listed as a discretionary grant opportunity.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for WAMS?

The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA WAMS 005736.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA number is 10.318.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is Agriculture.

What is the main goal of WAMS?

The central goal is to increase participation and advancement of women and underrepresented minorities who come from rural areas, specifically in STEM fields that align with USDA mission needs and priorities.

What types of projects does WAMS fund?

WAMS is designed to fund projects that combine research and extension work. The opportunity emphasizes projects that build sustained pathways into STEM education, training, and careers, tied to real agricultural and rural challenges.

Does WAMS fund general STEM outreach?

WAMS is described as focusing on projects that do more than general STEM outreach. The program is aimed at building sustained pathways into STEM education, training, and careers, rather than one-off outreach activities.

What does it mean that projects must combine research and extension?

Based on the summary, WAMS expects applicants to propose work that generates knowledge (research) and also actively delivers that knowledge and builds capacity in communities (extension). The program emphasizes that both elements should be present in the project design.

How important are partnerships and collaboration in WAMS proposals?

Partnerships and collaboration are described as a strong emphasis and not optional. Proposals are expected to include robust, meaningful partnerships that can realistically recruit, support, and retain rural women and underrepresented minority participants in STEM pipelines connected to agriculture and related sciences.

Who is the program trying to serve?

The opportunity targets women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas, with the aim of increasing their participation and advancement in USDA-relevant STEM education, training, and careers.

What STEM areas does WAMS prioritize?

WAMS prioritizes STEM areas that connect directly to USDA mission needs, especially those tied to agriculture, food systems, rural economies, environmental stewardship, and climate resilience, as reflected in the USDA priority areas listed in the opportunity.

What USDA priority areas should a WAMS project align with?

Projects should align with one or more of the listed USDA priorities: promoting a safe, sufficient, and nutritious food supply in the U.S. and globally; advancing sustainable agricultural policies that support long-term economic viability of small and mid-sized farms and rural businesses while protecting natural resources and promoting value-added agriculture; providing national leadership in climate change mitigation and adaptation; building a modern workplace with a modern workforce; and supporting the continued development of 21st-century rural communities.

Does a project need to connect to real agricultural and rural challenges?

Yes. The program description stresses that WAMS is about representation in STEM fields that matter for agriculture and rural communities, and it expects efforts tied to real agricultural and rural challenges.

When was this opportunity posted and created?

The listing indicates the opportunity was posted and created on March 7, 2016.

What was the application closing date shown in the listing?

The application closing date shown is April 7, 2016.

What is listed for applicant eligibility?

Eligibility is shown as an "Others" category, with additional eligibility details referenced elsewhere in the full announcement. The summary provided does not specify which types of institutions or organizations are eligible.

Where can applicants find the specific eligibility requirements?

The summary notes that additional eligibility details are referenced elsewhere in the full announcement, so applicants would need to consult the complete notice/program solicitation to confirm eligible applicant types.

Does the summary provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards?

No. The summary information provided does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards.

Where would an applicant typically find budget limits, project period expectations, match requirements, and review criteria?

The summary indicates these details are not included and applicants would typically look to the full program solicitation/complete notice for information such as budget limits, project period expectations, match requirements (if any), and review criteria.

How is WAMS best described overall?

WAMS is described as a targeted USDA-NIFA workforce and participation initiative that funds collaborative research-and-extension projects aimed at expanding rural STEM participation among women and underrepresented minorities, aligned with USDA priorities around food security, sustainable agriculture, climate action, workforce modernization, and rural community advancement.