Tribal Colleges Extension Programs (10.517)
Tribal Colleges Extension Programs (Assistance Listing 10.517) is run by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, part of the Department of Agriculture. It awarded $43.5 million in 82 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $530,855 per award on average. 1 funding opportunity is open or forecast now.
The typical award was $240,000. Half of the 82 awards fell between $232,084 and $792,000, and they ranged from $63,205 to $2.6 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$43.5 million
- Grant awards82
- Typical award$240,000
- Awarded in FY 2025$6.1 million
- Size rank1077 of 1824
- Type of assistanceProject grants (discretionary)
Key findings
- Annual funding fell from $8.2 million in fiscal 2021 to $6.1 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 1077th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 63% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 15 states and territories.
What the program funds
There are two programs under the TCEP: Capacity Applications and Special Emphasis. The Tribal Colleges Extension Program-Capacity Applications (TCEP-CA) supports Extension offices that provide practical, science-based lifelong learning opportunities through informal, community-based Extension projects that address agriculture, youths, economic development, healthy lifestyles, natural resources, or other topics important to Tribal communities. The Tribal Colleges Extension Program-Special Emphasis (TCEP-SE) supports short-term, community-based Extension projects that address youth, agriculture, natural resources, economic development, healthy lifestyles, or other topics important to the Tribal communities. Extension Special Emphasis projects are responsive to community needs and deliver informal, science-based, culturally relevant educational programs to people, enabling them to make practical decisions that improve their quality of life. The FRTEP seeks to continue the Land-grant mission of providing education and research-based knowledge to those who might not otherwise receive it, providing funding for Extension programs that address the unique needs of Tribal communities. The FRTEP supports the development and delivery of informal education and outreach activities, aiming to improve the quality of life and economic well-being of individuals and families on tribal lands.
Open opportunities
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
TCEP-CA and TCEP-SE: Applications may only be submitted by colleges and universities designated as 1994 Land-grant Institutions by legislation. These programs are authorized under Section 534(b) of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note), as amended by the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) (7 U.S.C. 7601). This section amends Section 3 of the Act of May 8, 1914 (Smith-Lever Act) (7 U.S.C. 341 et seq.). Under this authority, appropriated funds are to be awarded to the 1994 Land-Grant Institutions (hereinafter referred to as 1994 Institutions) for Extension work. FRTEP: Applications will only be accepted if submitted by 1862, 1890, and 1994 Land-grant Colleges and Universities. The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), shall establish appropriate extension education programs on Indian Reservations and Tribal jurisdictions (7 U.S.C. 5930). This program is listed under Section 3(d) of the Act of May 8, 1914, Smith-Lever Act, ch. 79, 38 Stat. 372, 7 U.S.C. 341 et seq. Section 7403 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) (P.L. 110-246) amended section 3(d) of the Smith-Lever Act to require funds to be awarded competitively.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Extension Projects conduct programs and activities that deliver science-based knowledge and informal educational programs to people, enabling them to make practical decisions. Delivery may range from community-based to national audiences and use communication methods from face-to-face to electronic or combinations thereof. Extension Projects may also include related matters such as certification programs, in-service training, client recruitment and services, curriculum development, instructional materials and equipment, and innovative instructional methodologies appropriate to informal educational programs. Extension Projects address one or more of the following key strategic actions: a) Support informal education to increase food and agricultural literacy of youth and adults; b) Promote science-based agricultural literacy by increasing understanding and use of food and agricultural science data, information, and programs; c) Build science-based capability in people to engage audiences and enable informed decision making; d) Develop new applications of instructional tools and curriculum structures that increase technical competency and ensure global competitiveness; e) Offer non-formal learning programs that increase accessibility to new audiences at the rate at which new ideas and technologies are tested and/or developed at the community-scale; and f) Develop programs that increase public knowledge and citizen engagement leading to actions that protect or enhance the...
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: TCEP-SE: https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/tribal-colleges-extension-program-special-emphasis TCEP https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/tribal-colleges-extension-program-capacity-applications FRTEP https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/federally-recognized-tribes-extension-program-frtep-formerly-extension
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: TCEP-CA: A total of $10,560,000 was awarded to thirty-five 1994 Land-grant Institutions (1994s). Each institution received $273,000 in the fourth year of a 4-year continuation award. TCEP-SE: Information not available. FRTEP: A total of $3,840,000 was awarded to thirty-five 1862 and two 1994 Land-grant Institutions in the fourth year of a 4-year continuation award. Awards ranged from $100,162 to $108,145.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Tribal Colleges Extension Programs (10.517) awarded$43.5 million across 82 grant awards, an average of $530,855 per award.
Who usually wins
Colleges and universities received 98% of the money.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colleges and universities | 81 | $42.4 million | 98% |
| Other | 1 | $1.1 million | 2.5% |
By state
12 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | 18 | $8.0 million |
| North Dakota | 13 | $6.3 million |
| Minnesota | 10 | $4.8 million |
| Ohio | 2 | $3.4 million |
| Michigan | 6 | $3.3 million |
| New Mexico | 6 | $3.2 million |
| South Dakota | 6 | $3.0 million |
| Arizona | 5 | $2.8 million |
| Wisconsin | 4 | $2.3 million |
| Nebraska | 4 | $2.3 million |
| Alaska | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Kansas | 2 | $1.0 million |
| Washington | 2 | $990,239 |
| Oklahoma | 1 | $792,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $208,637 |