Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 005962
The Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) is a competitive grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). Its central goal is to strengthen the future food and agricultural workforce by increasing multicultural diversity among students who go on to become scientists and professionals in food and agricultural fields. At the same time, the program is framed as a way to support broader educational achievement by helping colleges and universities expand scholarship and training pathways for students pursuing these disciplines.
The legal authority for the program comes from section 1417 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act (NARETPA) of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152). In practical terms, this means the program is designed as an institutional grant, where eligible schools compete for funding and then use that funding to support undergraduate scholarship and training activities (and, where applicable, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine training proposals) tied to food and agricultural sciences. Rather than being a direct-to-student scholarship application, the program is structured so that institutions propose a plan for recruiting, supporting, and preparing scholars, with the overall objective of building a more representative pipeline into agriculture-related careers.
Eligible applicants include three broad groups of institutions: land-grant institutions; colleges and universities with significant minority enrollments that can demonstrate the capacity to teach food and agricultural sciences; and other colleges and universities that can likewise demonstrate the ability to carry out instruction in food and agricultural science fields. In addition, research foundations that are maintained by an otherwise eligible college or university are allowed to apply, specifically for undergraduate and/or D.V.M. training proposals under the request for applications. A key eligibility condition is that the applicant institution must confer an undergraduate degree or a D.V.M. degree in at least one discipline within the food and agricultural sciences, aligning the funding with programs that can credibly educate and credential students for entry into the agricultural scientific and professional workforce.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant (not a formula allocation), listed under CFDA 10.220, with the funding opportunity number USDA NIFA HEMS 005962. The posted maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $200,000. The opportunity record indicates an original closing date of September 29, 2016, and a creation date of July 21, 2016. Overall, the program is best understood as a competitive funding mechanism for higher education institutions to create or strengthen multicultural scholar training and scholarship efforts in food and agricultural sciences, with the intended outcome of improving diversity and long-term workforce capacity in agriculture-related scientific and professional fields.Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 005962
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.220.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-07-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-09-29. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) - FAQs
What is the Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP)?
The Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) is a competitive (discretionary) grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). It is designed to help colleges and universities strengthen scholarship and training pathways for students in food and agricultural sciences, with a central emphasis on increasing multicultural diversity among future scientists and professionals in these fields.
What is the main purpose of MSP?
The program's central goal is to strengthen the future food and agricultural workforce by increasing multicultural diversity among students who pursue and enter food and agricultural science careers. It also supports broader educational achievement by helping institutions expand or enhance scholarship and training pathways tied to these disciplines.
Is this grant intended for individual students to apply directly?
No. MSP is structured as an institutional grant. Eligible colleges and universities compete for funding and then use awarded funds to support undergraduate scholarship and training activities (and, where applicable, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine training proposals). Institutions propose a plan for recruiting, supporting, and preparing scholars rather than students applying directly to USDA NIFA under this opportunity.
Who runs or administers the MSP grant program?
The MSP is run by USDA NIFA (the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the U.S. Department of Agriculture).
What legal authority authorizes the MSP program?
The MSP program is authorized under section 1417 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act (NARETPA) of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3152).
What types of institutions are eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include: (1) land-grant institutions; (2) colleges and universities with significant minority enrollments that can demonstrate the capacity to teach food and agricultural sciences; and (3) other colleges and universities that can demonstrate the ability to carry out instruction in food and agricultural science fields.
Can a university-affiliated research foundation apply?
Yes. Research foundations maintained by an otherwise eligible college or university are allowed to apply, specifically for undergraduate and/or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) training proposals under the request for applications.
What degree programs must an applicant institution offer to be eligible?
A key eligibility condition is that the applicant institution must confer an undergraduate degree or a D.V.M. degree in at least one discipline within the food and agricultural sciences. This aligns funding with institutions that can educate and credential students for entry into agriculture-related scientific and professional work.
What activities can the grant funds support?
Based on the opportunity description, awarded institutions use the funding to support undergraduate scholarship and training activities tied to food and agricultural sciences. Where applicable, institutions may also propose D.V.M. training proposals.
What is meant by a "competitive" or "discretionary" grant in this context?
This opportunity is a discretionary (competitive) grant, meaning funding is awarded through a competitive process rather than distributed automatically by formula.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.220.
What is the funding opportunity number (FON) for MSP?
The funding opportunity number shown is USDA NIFA HEMS 005962.
What is the maximum award amount?
The posted maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $200,000.
What were the key dates listed for this opportunity record?
The opportunity record indicates a creation date of July 21, 2016, and an original closing date of September 29, 2016.
What outcomes is the program trying to achieve?
The program is intended to improve multicultural diversity and long-term workforce capacity in agriculture-related scientific and professional fields by building a stronger, more representative pipeline of students trained in food and agricultural sciences.
How should the MSP program be understood at a high level?
At a high level, MSP is a competitive funding mechanism for higher education institutions to create or strengthen multicultural scholar training and scholarship efforts in food and agricultural sciences, with the aim of developing a more diverse future workforce in those disciplines.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture
Next opportunity: Training of Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind Program CFDA Number: 84.160C
Previous opportunity: Resource-Related Research Projects for Development of Animal Models and Related Materials (R24)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 005962
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA HEMS 005962) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Navy Youth Sports and Fitness & Virtual Youth Program (YSF) Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 005963 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 005963 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| K-8 Health Education: Teacher Professional Development & Curriculum Resources for Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Schools Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 005982 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 005982 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $159,600 |
| Suicide Prevention Professional Development Program (SPPD) for Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) School Psychologists Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 006002 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 006002 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $144,900 |
| 4-H Military Partnership and Outreach Support Program Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 006003 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 006003 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CYFAR 4-H Military Partnership Professional Development and Technical Assistance (CMP-PDTA) Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 006006 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 006006 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Department of Defense Virtual Lab School (VLS) Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 006005 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 006005 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $454,546 |
| National Clean Plant Network Apply for USDA GRANTS 081716 001 Funding Number: USDA GRANTS 081716 001 Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 006008 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 006008 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Department of Defense (DoD) Teen Adventure Camp Program Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 006024 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 006024 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Army Family Advocacy Program: Research and Prevention Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 006025 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 006025 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $403,200 |
| Military Spouse Licensure Portability Examination Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 006026 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 006026 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Promoting Integrated Pest Management in Affordable Housing Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 006044 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 006044 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $363,000 |
| Specialty Crop Research Initiative Request for Pre-applications Apply for USDA NIFA SCRI 006064 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SCRI 006064 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Apply for USDA NIFA BFR 006065 Funding Number: USDA NIFA BFR 006065 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Community Food Projects (CFP) Competitive Grant Program Apply for USDA NIFA CFP 006084 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CFP 006084 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) Grant Program Apply for USDA NIFA FINI 006104 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FINI 006104 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 006124 Funding Number: USDA NIFA ICGP 006124 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Call for a pre-bid conference: FEED THE FUTURE BANGLADESH NUTRITION ACTIVITY Apply for PRE BID SOL 388 17 000001 Funding Number: PRE BID SOL 388 17 000001 Agency: Bangladesh USAID-Dhaka Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Swine Composting Training for USDA Veterinary Services Employees Apply for USDA GRANTS 111616 001 Funding Number: USDA GRANTS 111616 001 Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Organic Transitions Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 006173 Funding Number: USDA NIFA ICGP 006173 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA NIFA HEMS 005962", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.