Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The Women and Minorities (WAMS) in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Fields program was authorized to increase participation by women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, with priority given to eligible institutions that carry out continuing programs funded by the Secretary.
The goal of the WAMS program is to develop and implement robust partnerships to increase the representation, participation, and entrepreneurism of women in STEM careers, thereby contributing to national economic prosperity.
The purpose of the grant program is to support projects that: Provide STEM knowledge, skills and competency to Women and Minorities from Rural Areas with successful placement (a) in the workforce in STEM fields, or (b) as innovators and entrepreneurs adding value to the STEM fields in areas that have relevancy to the USDA Secretary’s priorities.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. Federal Government
- U.S. State Government
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
- Nonprofit Organization
- For-Profit Organization
- Other
(a) State agricultural experiment stations;
(b) colleges and universities;
(c) university research foundations;
(d) other research institutions and organizations;
(e) Federal agencies;
(f) national laboratories;
(g) private organizations or corporations; and,
(h) Any group consisting of two or more of the entities
Beneficiaries
- U.S. Federal Government
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
- Local
- State
- Nonprofit Organization
- For-Profit Organization
- Small Business Person
- Other
(a) State agricultural experiment stations;
(b) colleges and universities;
(c) university research foundations;
(d) other research institutions and organizations;
(e) Federal agencies;
(f) national laboratories;
(g) private organizations or corporations; and,
(h) Any group consisting of two or more of the entities
How to Apply
Application Procedure
General application instructions are listed in the NIFA Grants Application Guide. Program-specific instructions are listed in the NOFO. The NOFO overrides the Application Guide if there is a discrepancy between the two documents. Applicants must apply electronically through Grants.gov; no other method or response is accepted. The application forms package for this funding opportunity must be accessed through Grants.gov. Part III of the NIFA Grants Application Guide explains how to access a specific application forms package. Parts II and III of the NIFA Grants Application Guide contain resources to assist grant applicants and detailed information regarding the Grants.gov registration process. Applications must be signed by the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Contact your AOR prior to starting an application to assess the organization’s readiness to submit an electronic application.
Award Procedure
Within the limit of funds authorized, the NIFA awarding official will make grants to eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in this RFA.
Successful applicants receive two types of notifications in the award phase: informal and formal. After award recommendations are complete, NIFA will provide an informal notification to the potential awardee. This informal notification is not an authorization to begin performance.
After the award is finalized, a formal notification in the form of a Notice of Award (NoA), signed by the Authorized Departmental Officer, will be provided to the applicant organization for successful applications. The NoA is the authorizing document and will be sent via email to the recipient's Authorized Representative.
The NoA will provide pertinent instructions and information including, at a minimum, the information described in 2 CFR 200.211 (see NIFA’s Terms and Conditions).
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 30 to 60 days
Contact the National Program Leader (NPL) regarding dates for specific deadlines, start and end dates, and range of approval/disapproval time.
Program details & compliance
Description
Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) are generally released annually. See the program NOFO for specific and detailed information. Specific instructions in the NOFOs supersede the general information provided in the Assistance Listing.
Mission Categories
Primary: Higher Education
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Grant funds must be used for allowable costs necessary to conduct approved fundamental and applied research and extension grants to increase participation by women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, with priority given to eligible institutions that carry out continuing programs funded by the Secretary.
Restrictions
Program funds may only be used for research and extension activities in the training, outreach and mentoring of rural women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas in STEM fields relevant to USDA mission. Funds may not be used for any purposes other than those approved in the grant award documents. Funds made available for grants in this program shall not be used for scholarship or fellowship purposes, the construction of a new building or facility or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building or facility (including site grading and improvement, and architect fees). Section 720 of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 (P.L. 112-55) limits indirect costs to 30 percent of the total Federal funds provided under each award. Therefore, when preparing budgets, applicants should limit their requests for recovery of indirect costs to the lesser of their institution’s official negotiated indirect cost rate or the equivalent of 30 percent of total Federal funds awarded. Special Note on Indirect Costs as in-kind matching contributions: Indirect costs may be claimed under the Federal portion of the award budget or, alternatively, indirect costs may be claimed as a matching contribution (if no indirect costs are requested under the Federal portion of the award budget). However, unless explicitly authorized in the RFA, indirect costs may not be claimed on both the Federal portion of the award budget and as a matching contribution, unless the total claimed on both the Federal portion of the award budget and as a matching contribution does not exceed the maximum allowed indirect costs or the institution’s negotiated indirect cost rate, whichever is less. An awardee may split the allocation between the Federal and non-Federal portions of the budget only if the total amount of indirect costs charged to the project does not exceed the maximum allowed indirect costs or the institution’s negotiated indirect cost rate, whichever is less. For example, if an awardees' indirect costs are capped at 30 percent pursuant to FY 2012 appropriated funds, Section 720 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 (Division A of Pub. L. 112-55), the awardee may request 15 percent of the indirect costs on both the Federal portion of the award and as a matching contribution. Or, the awardee may request any similar percentage that, when combined, does not exceed the maximum indirect cost rate of 30 percent.
Required Documentation
Applicants (unless excepted under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) must (1): Have an active SAM registration prior to applying; (2) Provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier number in its application; and (3) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an application under consideration or an active federal award.
Applicants must furnish the information required in the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs).
Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process.
Matching Requirements
In accordance with 7 U.S.C. 5925(a)(2)(A) the grant recipient is required to match the USDA
funds awarded on a dollar-for-dollar basis from non-Federal sources with cash and/or in-kind
contributions (see the RFA for details).
NIFA may waive the matching funds requirement for a grant if NIFA determines that: (1) the
results of the project, while of particular benefit to a specific agricultural commodity, are likely
to be applicable to agricultural commodities generally; or (2) the project involves a minor
commodity, the project deals with scientifically important research, and the grant recipient is
unable to satisfy the matching funds requirement.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements