# Higher Education Challenge Grants Program

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/usda-nifa-cgp-011315-higher-education-challenge-grants-program/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/363479

> National Institute of Food and Agriculture offered grants of up to $750,000 (at least $150,000) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make about 36 awards worth $5.7 million in total. Applications closed on October 15, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | USDA-NIFA-CGP-011315 |
| Agency | National Institute of Food and Agriculture |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | October 15, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | $750,000 |
| Award floor | $150,000 |
| Expected awards | 36 |
| Total funding | $5.7 million |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 10.217 |

## Who can apply

- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Eligibility Requirements Land-grant Institutions and other colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences and confer a graduate degree in at least one discipline or area of food and agricultural sciences are eligible to apply. Institutions offering degrees should be accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Research foundations maintained by an eligible college or university are eligible. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply, provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. Individuals are not eligible to apply for these grants to support their own graduate education.

## What the grant funds

The purpose of HEC, under assistance listing 10.217, is to strengthen institutional capacities, including curriculum, faculty, scientific instrumentation, and student recruitment and retention. The HEC program is focused on developing and improving formal master’s or doctorate degree-level food and agricultural sciences education and first professional degree-level education in veterinary medicine, such as a doctorate in veterinary medicine (DVM).

## Questions people ask

### Is USDA-NIFA-CGP-011315 still open?

No. It closed on October 15, 2026.

### Who can apply for Higher Education Challenge Grants Program?

National Institute of Food and Agriculture accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for Higher Education Challenge Grants Program?

Closed October 15, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $750,000 each. About $5.7 million in total across about 36 awards.

### Who has won Higher Education - Institution Challenge Grants Program grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc., Texas Tech University System, The Pennsylvania State University. The program made 71 awards worth $19.4 million in that time.