Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program

Background
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is designated as the lead Federal Agency that supports higher education in the food and agricultural sciences. NIFA has specific responsibility to initiate and support projects to strengthen higher education teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences. The purpose of this program is to assist NLGCA Institutions in maintaining and expanding their capacity to conduct education, research, outreach/extension, and integrated activities relating to agriculture, renewable resources, and other similar disciplines.

Grant Details
The Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program aims to make competitive grants to NLGCA Institutions to assist in maintaining and expanding their capacity to conduct education, research, and outreach/extension activities related to the food and agricultural sciences. The program encourages applications that address the national challenge to increase the number and diversity of students entering food and agriculture-related science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. It also supports social and behavioral science disciplines and applications that embrace multi-disciplinary efforts integrating biological and social sciences. The program also encourages global engagement that advances U.S. agricultural goals.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the NLGCA must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Applications may only be submitted by a Non-Land Grant College of Agriculture (NLGCAs) certified as such by the NIFA at the time of application. A current list of NLGCA’s certified by NIFA can be found at the NLGCA List Resource webpage. NLGCA applicants may submit any number of proposals in response to this RFA; however, each institution will be limited to a maximum of two grant awards as the lead (applicant) institution.

Period of Performance
The grant duration varies based on the project type:
1. Planning/Conference 24-36 months;
2. Regular 24-36 months;
3. Collaborative-Joint 36 months;
4. Collaborative-Large-scale Comprehensive Initiative (LCI) 36 months

Grant Value
$4,800,000 is anticipated for FY 2023 funding level with an average individual award range:
1. Planning Conference up to $30,000;
2. Regular $150,000;
3. Collaborative – Joint $300,000;
4. Collaborative – Large-scale Comprehensive Initiative (LCI) $750,000