Well Told Grants

Federal grant programs / Department of Agriculture

1890 Institution Capacity Building Grants (10.216)

Also known as 1890 Capacity (CBG)

1890 Institution Capacity Building Grants (Assistance Listing 10.216) is run by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, part of the Department of Agriculture. It awarded $102 million in 272 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $373,782 per award on average. 1 funding opportunity is open or forecast now.

The typical award was $408,940. Half of the 272 awards fell between $273,574 and $595,802, and they ranged from $32,150 to $1.9 million.

Key findings

What the program funds

The 1890 CBG Program, under Assistance Listing Number 10.216, is designed specifically to build the institutional teaching, research, and Extension capacities of the eligible institutions through cooperative programs with Federal and non-Federal entities. The 1890 CBG Program is designed to achieve three major goals: 1. Advance the professional workforce by attracting and educating students in the food and agricultural sciences, 2. Strengthen linkages among the 1890 Universities, other colleges and universities, USDA, other Federal agencies, and private industry, 3. Enhance and strengthen the quality of teaching/education, research, and extension/outreach programs at the 1890 Universities to establish them as full partners in the U.S. food and agricultural sciences higher education system.

From the federal Assistance Listing. Read the full listing on SAM.gov.

Open opportunities

Rules from the program listing

Who can apply

The 1890 land-grant institutions and Tuskegee University. The 1890 land-Grant Institutions are: Alabama A&M University; Alcorn State University; University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff; Delaware State University; Florida A&M University; Fort Valley State University; Kentucky State University; Lincoln University (MO); Langston University; University of Maryland-Eastern Shore; North Carolina A&T State University; Prairie View A&M University; South Carolina State University; Southern University and A&M College; Tennessee State University; Virginia State University; and West Virginia State College.

What the money can and cannot pay for

For teaching grants, funds may be used in the following targeted areas: (1) Curricula design and materials development; (2) faculty preparation and enhancement for teaching; (3) instruction delivery systems; (4) scientific instrumentation for teaching; (5) student experiential learning; and (6) student recruitment and retention. For research grants, funds may be used to address high- priority research initiatives in areas where there is a present or anticipated need for increased capabilities and in which it is feasible for applicants to develop programs recognized for their excellence. Research areas include, but are not limited to: (1) Studies and experimentation in food and agricultural sciences; (2) centralized research support systems; and (3) technology delivery systems. Grant funds must be used for allowable costs necessary to conduct approved fundamental and applied research, extension and education objectives to address food and agricultural sciences. The use of grant funds to plan, acquire, or construct a building or facility is not allowed. Some grant funds may be used for minor alterations, renovations, or repairs deemed necessary to retrofit existing teaching or research spaces in order to carry out a funded project. However, requests to use grant funds for such purposes must demonstrate that the alterations, renovations, or repairs are incidental to the major purpose for which a grant is made.

Continue reading on SAM.gov

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines

Award range and average, in the agency's words

If minimum or maximum amounts of funding per competitive and/or capacity project grant, or cooperative agreement are established, these amounts will be announced in the annual Competitive Request for Application (RFA). The most current RFA is available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/1890-institution-teaching-research-and-extension-capacity-building-grants-cbg

Examples of funded projects

Fiscal Year2025: HARVESTING POTENTIAL: SUMMER AGRICULTURE INTRODUCTION PROGRAM-The Harvesting Potential Program is an innovative initiative designed for students in agriculture majors. This immersive experience aims to cultivate interest in agriculture, equip participants with essential skills, and provide exposure to various career pathways. Participants will benefit from a comprehensive curriculum that includes hands-on learning at Research Farm and Aquaculture Center, integrating cutting-edge technology like drones. For outreach and collaboration, students receive training in career pathways and entrepreneurship. Participants engage in group projects, fostering teamwork and practical application of their learning. Networking and professional development ensure students connect with industry professionals.

Quoted from the program's federal Assistance Listing. The notice of funding opportunity is the official source for each competition's rules.

Funding history and past recipients

From fiscal 2021 to 2025, 1890 Institution Capacity Building Grants (10.216) awarded$102 million across 272 grant awards, an average of $373,782 per award.

Largest recipients, fiscal 2021 to 2025
RecipientStateAwardsAmount
Florida a & M UniversityFlorida23$9.5 million
University of Maryland EsMaryland16$8.7 million
West Virginia State University Research and Development CorporationWest Virginia22$8.6 million
Tennessee State UniversityTennessee18$8.0 million
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State UniversityNorth Carolina18$6.9 million
Prairie View A&m UniversityTexas17$6.7 million
Lincoln UniversityMissouri14$6.5 million
Kentucky State UniversityKentucky17$5.9 million
Central State UniversityOhio10$5.1 million
Alabama a & M UniversityAlabama19$4.5 million
University of Arkansas SystemArkansas14$4.5 million
Fort Valley State UniversityGeorgia9$4.3 million
Delaware State UniversityDelaware14$4.0 million
Tuskegee UniversityAlabama11$3.8 million
Virginia State UniversityVirginia9$3.3 million
Alcorn State UniversityMississippi12$3.0 million
Southern University Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisiana10$2.9 million
Langston UniversityOklahoma11$2.8 million
South Carolina State UniversitySouth Carolina3$1.1 million
Georgia Tech Research CorpGeorgia1$763,948

Top states: Florida ($9.5 million), Maryland ($8.7 million), West Virginia ($8.6 million), Alabama ($8.3 million), Tennessee ($8.0 million), North Carolina ($6.9 million), Texas ($6.7 million), Missouri ($6.5 million), Kentucky ($5.9 million), Ohio ($5.1 million).

Who usually wins

Almost all of the money went to colleges and universities.

Recipient typeAwardsAmountShare
Colleges and universities272$102 million100%

By state

Each state below has its own page for this program, with its recipients and yearly totals.

Grants by recipient's state, fiscal 2021 to 2025
StateAwardsAmount
Florida23$9.5 million
Maryland16$8.7 million
West Virginia22$8.6 million
Alabama30$8.3 million
Tennessee18$8.0 million
North Carolina18$6.9 million
Texas17$6.7 million
Missouri14$6.5 million
Kentucky17$5.9 million
Ohio10$5.1 million
Georgia10$5.1 million
Arkansas14$4.5 million
Delaware14$4.0 million
Louisiana14$3.6 million
Virginia9$3.3 million
Mississippi12$3.0 million
Oklahoma11$2.8 million
South Carolina3$1.1 million

Award amounts are federal obligations reported to USAspending.gov for fiscal 2021 to 2025; see how our data works.