Scholarships for Students at 1890 Institutions

1890 Scholarships
CFDA 10.524 Active Grant

Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$19.2M FY2026
$19.2M
FY24
$9.6M
FY25
$19.2M
FY26*
* estimated

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 19 awards were issued as continuation awards.

Program Objective

The purpose of the 1890 Scholarships Program is to provide scholarships to support recruiting, engaging, retaining, mentoring, and training of undergraduate students at the 1890 Land-grant Universities, resulting in baccalaureate degrees in the food and agricultural sciences and related fields. The scholarships are intended to encourage outstanding students at 1890 institutions to pursue and complete baccalaureate degrees in the food and agricultural sciences and related fields that would lead to a highly skilled food and agricultural systems workforce.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Other

How to Apply

Award Procedure

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 Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Program details & compliance

Description

The Scholarships for Students at 1890 Institutions Program provides funding to each of the 1890 Universities to provide scholarships to outstanding students pursuing baccalaureate degrees in the food and agricultural sciences and related fields who:
1. Have been accepted for admission at an 1890 University;
2. Will be enrolled at an 1890 Universities not later than one year after the date of acceptance at the 1890 University; and
3. Intend to pursue a career in the food and agricultural sciences, including a career in agribusiness, energy and renewable fuels, or financial management.

Mission Categories

Primary: Higher Education

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

The 1890 Land-grant institutions must use the grants to award scholarships to students. The scholarships are intended to encourage outstanding students at 1890 institutions to pursue and complete baccalaureate degrees in the food and agricultural sciences and related fields that would lead to a highly skilled food and agricultural systems workforce. Federal funds for scholarships must only be awarded to Scholars to cover the following: Tuition, Student fees, Room and board, and Textbooks (or e-books).

Restrictions

Use Restrictions will be identified on the NOFO and the grant award documents. All funds granted by NIFA may be used only for the purpose for which they are granted in accordance with the approved application and budget, regulations, terms and conditions of the award, applicable federal cost principles, USDA assistance regulations, and NIFA General Awards Administration Provisions, 7 CFR Part 3430, subparts A through E.

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 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
3 years

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

Contacts

National Program Leader, Institute of Youth, Family, and Community (IYFC), Division of Community and Education (DOCE).
816-908-3252
National Institute of Food and Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture P.O. Box 419205, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-6205 Courier/Package Delivery Address: 2312 East Bannister Road, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-3061, Kansas City, MO 64141
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-06-09. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-07-08 03:04:36.