The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting applications for the Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 to conduct scholarship programs leading to either baccalaureate degrees within the Food and Agricultural Sciences or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degrees.
Donor Name: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
State: Selected States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/15/2023
Size of the Grant: $250,000
Grant Duration: 60 months
Details:
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is designated as the lead federal agency that supports higher education in food and agricultural sciences. In this context, NIFA has specific responsibility to initiate and support projects to strengthen higher education teaching programs.
The purpose of the Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) is to provide scholarships to support recruiting, engaging, retaining, mentoring, and training committed multicultural scholars, resulting in either baccalaureate degrees within the food and agricultural science disciplines or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degrees. The goals and objectives of the scholarships are to encourage outstanding students from groups that are historically underrepresented and underserved to pursue and complete baccalaureate degrees in food and agricultural sciences, or achieve a D.V.M., that would lead to a diverse and highly skilled work force. This may or may not include the teaching and preservation of traditional ecological knowledge.
Through scholarships, MSP aims to increase the participation of any group historically underrepresented in USDA mission areas and prepare them for the professional and scientific workforce in the food and agricultural sciences. NIFA is soliciting applications for student education that will:
- Prepare graduates to meet the demand for highly qualified personnel entering the workforce related to the food and agricultural sciences;
- Support more undergraduates in transitioning to graduate education in USDA mission sciences;
- Contribute to the reduction of the disparity among underrepresented and underserved populations entering graduate schools to better reflect the demographics of the U.S. and enable higher education to remain globally competitive;
- Promote student success within food and agricultural disciplines at the undergraduate/D.V.M. level; and
- Focus on social support structure, and professional mentoring to ensure entry into food and agricultural science areas and completion of graduate education or high level of competitiveness for the workforce.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $1,250,000
- Award Ceiling: $250,000
- Award Floor: $10,000
Grant Duration
60 Months
Eligibility Requirements
- Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.
- Only the following are eligible to apply: Land-Grant Institutions, Colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments, other colleges and universities, and Institutes or research foundations maintained by an eligible college or university. Institutions that have not previously applied are especially encouraged to do so. Applicants must be institutions that confer a bachelor’s or D.V.M. degree in at least one of the disciplines in the food and agricultural sciences.
- Awards are made to eligible colleges and universities. Individuals are not eligible to apply for these grants.
- Project Directors who have received MSP awards in the last five years may also apply. However, the respective proposal must differ substantively in scope and objectives from previously funded MSP projects in the last five years by the same Project Director.
- Due to statutory restrictions, extensions beyond the five-year period are not allowed. Any eligible institution may, however, apply for a new award with a different scope of work in any fiscal year(s) in which appropriated funds are available for this program. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project.
Student Eligibility as Scholars
Awards to Scholars are made by eligible institutions (grantees) receiving funds under this program. Scholars must:
- Be citizens, national, or permanent residents of the United States as determined in accordance with Federal law;
- Have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, at an institution that was awarded a project grant under this program, or at a two-year institution which has entered into an articulation agreement, bridging agreement, or other type of collaborative arrangement with a baccalaureate-level institution that has been awarded a project grant under this program;
- Be enrolled as a full-time student, as defined by the institution, in a program of study in the food and agricultural sciences leading to an undergraduate degree or D.V.M. during each semester or quarter that he/she receives MSP support. However, the requirements for formal registration during part of this tenure may be waived if permitted by the policy of the grantee, provided that the MSP Scholar is making satisfactory progress toward degree completion and remains engaged in appropriate full-time scholarship activities such as study abroad experiences or internships;
- Maintain good academic standing and satisfactory degree progress as determined by their institution;
- Not have been enrolled previously in an academic program in the food and agricultural sciences at the same degree level; and
- Have a strong interest, as judged by the institution, in pursuing a career as a food or agricultural scientist or professional.
Within the framework of these guidelines, all decisions with respect to the appointment of MSP Scholars will be made by grantees. Scholars must be identified, and scholarships must be awarded within twelve (12) months of the effective start date of a grant. Grantee must notify and obtain approval from the NIFA Program Office if scholarship funds cannot be allocated within this twelve-month period.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
