Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions

The Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions program has funded the establishment of six Centers to protect and manage domestic natural resources for current and future production of food and agricultural products; develop/apply emerging technologies to increase agricultural productivity; enhance small farm economic viability; improve rural communities by developing genetic and sensor technologies for food and agriculture; provide technology training to farmers; and enhance academic and career development activities for students pursuing careers in the food and agricultural sciences.
1) The overall goal of the Center for Farming Systems, Rural Prosperity, and Economic Sustainability (Lead Institution: Tuskegee University) is to address the profitability, sustainability and prosperity challenges of small to medium farmers, ranchers, forestland, and rural business owners through adaptive research, technology assessment, development of new processes, and providing educational opportunities. In collaboration with USDA, the private sector, and communities, the Center identifies market opportunities and access to capital and resources to enhance rural prosperity and economic sustainability by introducing innovative technologies, entrepreneurship, broadband/internet, and collaborations into small to medium scale operations.
2) The 1890 Universities Center of Excellence for Global Food Security and Defense (Lead Institution: University of Maryland Eastern Shore) provides the U.S. with a globally educated workforce to address critical needs in global food security and defense. The Center leverages global knowledge, partnerships, and research to advance the strategic economic and agricultural-focused priorities of the United States and transforms research, innovations, and policy insights into actionable solutions for U.S. farmers, communities, and policymakers. The Center’s work reinforces domestic economic growth and supports national security by building resilient food systems and securing America’s leadership in global agricultural innovation.
3) The primary goal of the Center of Excellence for Nutrition, Health, Wellness, and Quality of Life (Lead Institution: Southern University) is to increase the capacities of 1890 institutions to address health disparities through nutrition research, teaching, and Extension. This Center strengthens education programs at 1890 institutions to prepare the next generation of health and lifestyle educators and provides training and education to communities through outreach programs to improve health outcomes.
4) The 1890 Center of Excellence for Student Success and Workforce Development (Lead Institution: North Carolina A&T State University) supports the improvement of recruitment, retention, and graduation rates of career-ready students at 1890 institutions through collaborative programming, experiential learning, mentorship, and technology integration. The overall goal is to increase the capacity of 1890 institutions to enhance their pipeline of students and their students' readiness to enter the food, agriculture, natural resources, and human (FANH) sciences and STEM workforce.
5) The Center for Emerging IoT Technologies for Smart Agriculture (Lead Institution: Delaware State University) brings together a team of agriculture and data scientists, engineers, chemists, and environmentalists who aim to integrate fundamental research and development in emerging IoT technologies to strength U.S. agriculture. The major goals of this Center are: 1) Advance knowledge and research in Emerging Technologies in Agriculture; 2) Establish emerging technologies infrastructure to expand opportunities for student learning and research and solve complex interdisciplinary challenges; and 3) Implement high-impact practices that build a sustained pathway of scholars with workforce development skills in emerging technologies and related disciplines.
6) The goal of the Center of Excellence for Land, Water, and Resource Management (Lead Institution: Tennessee State University) is to advance applied research and technology transfer in the stewardship of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Emphasis is placed on forest and rangeland management, water resource conservation, soil health, and integrated land-use practices that enhance long-term ecological function and productivity. The Center focuses on four multi-disciplinary areas that serve as a platform for advancing integrated natural resource solutions and addressing regional and national priorities while strengthening institutional research capacity and stakeholder engagement.

Applications are subjected to a system of peer and merit review in accordance with section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613) by a panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the NIFA Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO) shall make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the NOFO.

Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors:

(a) The level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities;

(b) the need to include as reviewers experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields;

(c) the need to include as reviewers other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs;

(d) the need to include as reviewers experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations;

(e) the need to maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and

(f) the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to producers and the general public of each application.

Evaluation Criteria will be delineated in the NOFO.