Grants for Private institutions of higher education - Agriculture

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) National Workforce Strategy (WIC Workforce National Strategy), is part of a joint agency initiative between the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that is expected to cultivate comprehensive and sustained solutions for WIC workforce development. The joint agency initiative aims to strengthen the diversity and cultural competency of the WIC workforce, with the ultimate goals of increasing: 1) WIC participation through reaching those populations that are eligible, but not enrolled; and 2) WIC participants use of benefits and services, including nutrition education and breastfeeding support. NIFA requires that applications for WIC Workforce Implementation Projects respond to and implement components of the National WIC Workforce Strategy. They should assess and address regional and national priorities, target critical workforce needs, and increase the diversity and cultural competency of the WIC workforce.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations to establish centers that support the development and growth of cooperatives in rural areas, enhancing economic conditions and job creation.

The 2025 Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund Grant: Rural Health program, overseen by the Rural Maryland Council, aims to elevate the standard of living in rural Maryland to meet or exceed statewide benchmarks by 2030, while simultaneously preserving the unique cultural aspects of rural life. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to foster economic and community development through targeted investments and promote regional and intergovernmental cooperation. The underlying theory of change is that by facilitating strategic investments and leveraging additional non-state resources, local and regional public and nonprofit organizations can achieve sustainable rural development objectives. The target beneficiaries of this grant are the residents of Maryland's rural areas, particularly those facing challenges in accessing adequate healthcare services. The program specifically seeks to address health workforce shortages in primary care, surgical specialties, dentistry, mental health, and other medical specialty areas. The impact goals are to improve overall health outcomes, enhance access to a variety of healthcare services, and reduce health disparities in rural populations. The program's priorities and focus areas are multifaceted, encompassing improvements in health and medical/dental/behavioral health care access, expansion of tele-medicine and telehealth networking, and the development of programs for healthcare planning and coordination. It also prioritizes addressing rural population health needs, ensuring health care insurance and treatment enrollment, and implementing components of the state’s rural health plan. Additionally, the grant focuses on rural nonemergency medical transportation, recruitment and retention of health care and public health professionals, and addressing behavioral and mental health issues such as substance use disorder, depression, and domestic abuse. Expected outcomes include improved access to health services, a stronger rural healthcare workforce through recruitment and residency programs, and enhanced behavioral and mental health support. Measurable results will likely involve metrics related to increased access to care (e.g., number of new patients served, reduction in travel distances for care), improvements in health outcomes (e.g., reductions in chronic disease prevalence, improved mental health indicators), and the number of healthcare professionals recruited and retained in rural areas. The program also anticipates better coordination of nonemergency medical transportation and a reduction in health impacts on minority populations.

This funding opportunity supports research and development of advanced transportation technologies, prioritizing projects that improve vehicle efficiency and battery technology while benefiting underserved communities across the U.S.

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is offering the Community Tree Planting Program, funded by the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) through the 2008 State Legislature. This grant program is administered by the Division of Forestry’s Urban and Community Forestry Program. The core mission of this grant is to increase the tree resource base in cities and towns across Tennessee, focusing on the functional benefits of urban trees rather than solely on beautification. The primary beneficiaries of this program are communities and local units of government, non-profit organizations, and elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions within Tennessee. The impact goal is to enhance the state's urban tree resources to provide direct cost-saving benefits to communities. These benefits include energy savings through shading, storm water mitigation, rain interception, and improved air quality through filtration and absorption. The program's priorities and focuses are explicitly not beautification but rather the practical, environmental services that trees provide. It emphasizes that trees are "work horses for communities." Recommended goals and objectives for applicants include statements about urban trees providing cooler temperatures, cleaner air, reduced flooding and erosion, improved human health, and food and shelter for wildlife. Expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around the increase in the tree resource base and the subsequent realization of the aforementioned environmental and economic benefits. While specific metrics are not detailed in the provided text, the focus on quantifiable benefits like energy savings and storm water mitigation implies an expectation of measurable improvements in these areas. The grant contracts will run from December 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025, suggesting that the initial outcomes will be assessed within this timeframe. Eligible applicants can apply for grants ranging from $500 to $20,000, which further indicates a focus on smaller, community-level projects with clear, achievable objectives.

The North Central Region SARE (NCR-SARE) Research and Education (R&E) Grant Program is a competitive funding opportunity offering $100,000 to $500,000 for up to 3 years to researchers, educators, and organizations exploring sustainable agriculture, with the aim of improving economic viability, environmental quality, and quality of life in the North Central Region's agricultural sector.

This track of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program provides approximately $1 million for grants aimed at purchasing equipment necessary for the middle of the food supply chain activities in Vermont. The grants range from $30,000 to $100,000 with no match requirement. Applications for this track are set to open in late August 2024 and close in early October 2024, with grant activities beginning in early 2025.

This grant provides funding to agricultural organizations and institutions to improve farm management education and expand a national financial management database for farmers across the United States.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for agricultural development projects in developing countries and emerging democracies, focusing on increasing productivity and trade through the monetization of U.S. agricultural commodities.

This grant provides funding to California-based researchers, universities, government agencies, and nonprofits to develop innovative pest management strategies for addressing invasive agricultural pests.

This program provides funding to Hispanic-Serving Institutions to improve educational and community development initiatives in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences, with a focus on supporting underrepresented students and enhancing workforce readiness.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Trade and Regulatory Capacity Building, announces this funding opportunity to support the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports Initiative. This opportunity is to promote the export of U.S. specialty crops to current and prospective foreign markets.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foreign Agricultural Service, Trade Policy and Geographic Affairs, announces this funding opportunity to support the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports initiative. This opportunity is intended to promote the development of sustainable packaging of U.S. specialty crops exported to current and prospective foreign markets.

The Agrivoltaics Research and Development (R&D) Grant Program, offered by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), is designed to foster innovation and research within the agrivoltaics industry. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to support agricultural producers and advance Colorado's renewable energy transition. The program seeks to integrate solar energy production with agricultural practices, aiming to create mutually beneficial outcomes for both sectors. While the prompt mentions "foundation mission alignment" and "Foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change," the provided text specifies the "Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA)" as the donor. Therefore, the alignment is with the CDA's objectives for sustainable agriculture and renewable energy, rather than an external foundation. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are diverse and include tribal or local governments, colleges and universities, other research organizations, energy providers (electric cooperatives, utilities), 501(c)3s, for-profit entities, and individual farmers and ranchers. The impact goals are centered on understanding and demonstrating the potential benefits and tradeoffs of agrivoltaics in Colorado, contributing to both the state's agricultural economy and its renewable energy targets. The program aims to encourage innovative projects that can directly contribute to these goals. The program prioritizes and focuses on several key areas, including the construction and expansion of agrivoltaics systems and demonstration projects, research projects aimed at understanding the benefits, incremental costs, and tradeoffs of such systems, and outreach and communication campaigns to disseminate information about agrivoltaics benefits and obstacles. The grant encourages a comprehensive approach to agrivoltaics, from practical implementation to scientific inquiry and public education. Up to $500,000 is available for projects that study the potential, benefits, and tradeoffs, with a maximum grant award of $249,000 for a single project application. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the successful implementation of innovative agrivoltaics projects, the generation of research findings that deepen the understanding of agrivoltaics' viability and impact, and increased awareness and adoption of agrivoltaics practices among the target audience. Eligible expenses are directly tied to these outcomes, covering salaries, travel, direct costs like construction and research supplies, equipment, marketing, permitting, project assessments, and contractor payments, with indirect costs capped at 5% of the grant award. The program's success will ultimately be measured by its contribution to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector and a stronger renewable energy infrastructure in Colorado.

This funding opportunity supports Minnesota-based organizations and individuals conducting applied crop research to improve agricultural practices and outcomes for local farmers and rural communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for colleges and universities to develop innovative pest management strategies that enhance food security and address environmental and health risks associated with pest control.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) is being released prior to appropriation and/or apportionment of funds for fiscal year 2024. Enactment of additional continuing resolutions or an appropriations act may affect the availability or level of funding for this program. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is announcing the potential availability of funding for agreements for the purpose of leveraging NRCS resources, addressing local natural resource issues, encouraging collaboration and developing state-and-community-level conservation leadership. Proposals must be for projects based in Iowa and focus on conservation issues. Collaborative projects that provide on-the-ground support for Iowa NRCS Field Offices are highly encouraged. Research proposals will not be accepted, nor considered. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2024 will be up to $5,000,000.00, however, budget constraints may prevent NRCS from funding 2024 proposals. Proposals are requested from City or township governments, county governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, state governments, nonprofits having a 501 (c)(3) status with the IRS (other than institutions of higher education), or institutions of higher education for competitive consideration of awards for projects between 2 and 5 years in duration. Awarded organizations may be required to present project updates in the form of a formal presentation to the Iowa NRCS Leadership. Organizations may use this opportunity to request additional funding for existing Iowa IPC agreements. For new users of Grants.gov, see Section D. of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for information about steps required before submitting an application via Grants.gov. Key Dates Applicants must submit their applications via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on May 7th, 2024. For technical issues with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or [email protected]. Awarding agency staff cannot support applicants regarding Grants.gov accounts. For inquiries specific to the content of the NFO requirements, contact the federal awarding agency contact (section G of this NFO). Please limit questions to those regarding specific information contained in this NFO (such as dates, page numbers, clarification of discrepancies, etc.). Questions related to eligibility, or the merits of a specific proposal will not be addressed. The agency anticipates making selections by June 7th, 2024, and expects to execute awards by September 16, 2024. These dates are estimates and are subject to change.

This grant provides funding to U.S. organizations to help overcome barriers that hinder the export of specialty crops like fruits and vegetables, ensuring better market access for American farmers.

This program provides funding to U.S. agricultural organizations and businesses to help them develop and expand export markets for American agricultural products in emerging markets.

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is offering $57 million in grant funds for in-person before-school, after-school, before-and-after-school, and/or summer programming for children in grades K-12. This initiative aligns with MiLEAP's mission to prioritize education from preschool through postsecondary, focusing on kindergarten readiness and helping individuals earn skills or degrees for good-paying jobs. The grant specifically supports Out-of-School Time (OST) Programs that provide educational programming in core subjects such as mathematics, reading, and science. The target beneficiaries are children in grades K-12. The impact goals are to improve school attendance, academic outcomes, attitudes toward school, positive behaviors, skill development and retention, and higher education aspirations, as well as to enhance family engagement. MiLEAP's strategic priority is to prepare children for kindergarten and help more people earn a skill certificate or degree, and this grant directly contributes to that by funding programs that offer expanded learning opportunities and academic enrichment. The grant prioritizes the expansion of existing programs, establishment of new programs, hands-on academic enrichment, field trips, professional learning, and the development of school-community partnerships. It also supports expanded learning opportunities in areas like mentoring, leadership, community engagement, agriculture, visual and performing arts, financial literacy, STEM, health and wellness, recreation, career and college exploration, youth voice, 21st-century skills, social-emotional learning, and cultural engagement. Expected outcomes include measurable improvements in areas such as improved school attendance and academic performance, enhanced positive behaviors and skill development, and increased aspirations for higher education. The grant's theory of change posits that by investing in comprehensive OST programming that addresses both academic and social-emotional needs, children will be better prepared for academic success and future career opportunities, thereby contributing to MiLEAP's broader goal of lifelong education and advancement.