Grants / Department of Agriculture / National Institute of Food and Agriculture

USDA-NIFA-CGP-011315: Higher Education Challenge Grants Program

Closed Closed October 15, 2026 Opportunity USDA-NIFA-CGP-011315 ☆ Save

This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of National Institute of Food and Agriculture notices from 2026.

• Award ceiling$750,000
• Award floor$150,000
• Total funding$5.7 million
• Expected awards36
• Cost sharingNot required
• Funding typeGrant

Key dates

Who can apply

This opportunity was open to the applicants described in the notice.

• 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.

Is this a realistic fit?

• Past Higher Education - Institution Challenge Grants Program awards averaged $272,909; this notice allows up to $750,000 per award.
• Most of the program's money (88% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
• No cost sharing or match is required.

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).

Category: Agriculture.

Applying now

This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.

The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.