Higher Education Challenge Grants Program

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is seeking applications from select U.S. public or private, nonprofit colleges/universities for its program intended

"... to increase the number and diversity of students who will pursue and complete a postsecondary degree in the food and agricultural sciences, and for FY 2013, encourage study in areas that contribute to any of the five NIFA Priority Areas [1. Food Security and Hunger; 2. Climate Change; 3. Sustainable Energy; 4. Childhood Obesity; 5. Food Safety]; and ... to enhance the quality of postsecondary instruction in order to help meet current and future national food and agricultural sciences workplace needs ..." 

NIFA anticipates having approximately $4,770,000 in total available grant funds for the program in Fiscal Year 2013 with an award ceiling of $750,000.

Applications Due By: February 8, 2013

Find Out More

• USDA NIFA Grant Funding Opportunity Announcement

• The FY 2013 Request for Applications (.pdf)

• Additional information about the USDA NIFA Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program 

Questions may be directed to Mr. P. Gregory Smith who is the National Education Program Leader of the Institute of Youth, Family and Community, a unit of the Division of Community and Education of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture at 202 720 1973; fax: 202 720 2030; e-mail: HEC@NIFA.USDA.gov