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Find similar grantsHigher Education Challenge Grants Program is sponsored by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.
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Or search similar grants →Extracted from the opportunity page linked on this listing to help you evaluate fit faster.
Higher Education Challenge Grants Program | NIFA The lifecycle of grants and cooperative agreements consists of four phases: Pre-Award, Award, Post-Award, and Close Out. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is committed to serving its stakeholders, Congress, and the public by using new technologies to advance greater openness.
The Data Gateway enables users to find funding data, metrics, and information about research, education, and Extension projects that have received grant awards from NIFA. This website houses a large volume of supporting materials. In this section, you can search the wide range of documents, videos, and other resources.
Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension NOFO Pre-App Technical Assistance Webinar In this technical assistance webinar, NIFA ECDRE program staff will discuss the FY 2026 ECDRE program and answer questions concerning the application process. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture provides leadership and funding for programs that advance agriculture-related sciences.
Higher Education Challenge Grants Program 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). Dates may vary. Please see NOFO for exact details.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to access information related to this grant opportunity, please contact the Information Contact listed on this page no later than ten (10) days before the closing date. If you need a reasonable accommodation for the webinar or event related to this grant opportunity, please contact the event host.
NIFA offers language access services, such as interpretation and translation of vital information, free of charge. If you need interpretation or translation services, please visit NIFA Language Access Services and request service no later than ten (10) days before the closing date.
1862 Land-grant Institutions 1890 Land-grant Institutions 1994 Land-grant Institutions For-profit Organizations Other Than Small Businesses Hispanic-Serving Institutions Other or Additional Information (See below) State Controlled Institutions of Higher Ed More Information on Eligibility a) U.S. public or private, nonprofit colleges/universities offering baccalaureate or 1st professional degree in at least one discipline/area of food & agricultural sciences; b) land-grant colleges/universities (including those in Insular Areas); c) colleges/universities having significant minority enrollments and demonstrable capacity to teach food and agricultural sciences; and d) colleges/universities having demonstrable capacity to teach food and agricultural sciences.
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 For more Information Contact Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program Contact Thursday, October 15, 2026 grantapplicationquestions@usda. gov Funding Opportunity Number Assistance Listing Number Estimated Total Program Funding Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement Page last updated: August 24, 2026 Your feedback is important to us.
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: U. S. higher education institutions, including research foundations maintained by eligible colleges or universities. Subcontracting with ineligible organizations is permitted if necessary to carry out the project. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $150,000 to $750,000. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The published deadline was October 15, 2026, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
Higher Education Challenge Grants Program is funded by USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Past winners and funding trends for this program
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