Higher Education – Multicultural Scholars Grant Program
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
The Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program provides support to students to help them complete their bachelor’s degree in the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Human (FANH) Sciences or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in order to successfully join the food and agricultural workforce.
The purpose of the Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program is to increase the diversity of the food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce, and advance the educational achievement of all Americans by providing competitive grants to colleges and universities. Colleges and Universities can use this funding to support undergraduate scholarships and related experiential learning opportunities leading to the completion of a Bachelor’s degree in the FANH Sciences or a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Other
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.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Within the limit of funds authorized, the NIFA awarding official will make grants to responsible
and eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set
forth in this NOFO. The date specified by the NIFA awarding official as the effective date of the
grant must be no later than September 30 of the federal fiscal year in which the project is
approved for support and funds are appropriated for such purpose, unless otherwise permitted by
law. The project need not be initiated on the grant effective date, but as soon thereafter as
practical so that project goals may be attained within the funded project period. Award Notice. The award document will provide pertinent instructions and information as
described in 2 CFR 200.211 (see NIFA’s Terms and Conditions).
From 30 to 60 days.
Contact the National Program Leader (NPL) – Headquarters Office regarding dates for specific deadlines, start and end dates, and range of approval/disapproval time.
Program details & compliance
Description
The Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program provides funding for colleges and universities to support students from diverse backgrounds through scholarships, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities.
Mission Categories
Primary: Higher Education
Other categories:
Agricultural Resource Conservation and DevelopmentAmerican Indian or Alaskan Native EducationVocational Education
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Competitive annual grants to selected U.S. institutions of higher education provide for a limited number of four-year undergraduate scholarships to support minority students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in the food and agricultural sciences. Institutions also receive an annual cost-of-education allowance for each scholar supported by a grant. The scholars are selected by the institutions and students must apply for the scholarships through procedures established by the individual institutions. No scholarship grants are made directly to students and students cannot apply directly to USDA for scholarships. Scholarship monies may be used for tuition, fees, room, board, and other educational expenses as announced in a Federal Register notice inviting applications for new awards. The institutional cost-of-education allowance may be used by the selected institutions to defray program expenses including, but not limited to, travel and publications costs incurred for student recruitment, and salaries of project personnel.
Restrictions
Indirect cost is not allowable. Pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 3152(b), no indirect costs may be recovered under the MSP Program. Funds are restricted to the clearly designated uses found within the NOFO. For Award Category No. 2 Proposals, the budget sharing criteria are: (i) no single institution may receive more than forty percent (40%) and (ii) any institution may not receive less than fifteen percent (15%) of the requested funding for the baccalaureate and/or D.V.M. degree level training project (see Part II, C of the NOFO). When grant is for SEL that will be used by To-Be-Recruited Scholars: The SEL funds for To-Be-Recruited Scholars will be withheld until the Project Director has submitted, to the MSP Grants Program Office, all of the required documentation for eligibility of the MSP/SEL Scholar(s) for the SEL as well as the required specifics outlined in the NOFO for the SEL. The information must be submitted for approval, no less than 90 days prior to the use of the SEL funds (see Part IV, B., 3, b, Section 1 of the NOFO).
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 Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs).
Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process.
2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
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