Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Education and Workforce Development
🏛 National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for institutions and organizations that advance agricultural education and workforce development. Eligible applicants include colleges, universities, nonprofits, and K-12 schools focused on agriculture. The program operates nationwide with no geographic restrictions.
Activities include curriculum development, training programs, and educational partnerships in food systems and agriculture. Funding supports projects that build capacity in agricultural fields and prepare students for careers.
Priority goes to projects addressing workforce shortages in agriculture and related industries. Applicants must demonstrate impact on student learning and career readiness.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative – Education and Workforce Development (EWD) focuses on developing the next generation of research, education, and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requests applications for the AFRI’s Education and Workforce Development program areas to support:
1. professional development opportunities for K-14 educational professionals;
2. non-formal education that cultivates food and agricultural interest in youth;
3. workforce training at community, junior, and technical colleges;
4. training of undergraduate students in research and extension;
5. fellowships for predoctoral candidates;
6. fellowships for postdoctoral scholars; and
7. education and workforce development workshop grants.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application Form (SF-424 or NIFA eGrants system)
- Project Narrative (not to exceed page limit)
- Budget Narrative and Detailed Budget
- Organizational Capacity Documentation
- Letters of Support from Partners
- Evidence of Institutional Support
- Curriculum Samples (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Joseph Perez Program Analyst
- 📧 grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
- 📞 202-445-5402
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.310 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$20,189,383
-
$20,000,000
-
$20,000,000
-
$19,998,042
-
$15,000,000
-
$14,810,000
-
$14,592,249
-
$12,000,000
-
$10,071,776
-
$10,000,000
Top States by Funding
- CA 10 awards $82.8M
- OH 9 awards $59.8M
- IA 5 awards $52.9M
- TX 7 awards $50.6M
- FL 8 awards $48.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.310). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $506,515,614 | |
| 2025 | $194,568,953 | |
| 2026 est. | $397,335,870 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Colleges, universities, nonprofit organizations, and K-12 schools with agriculture programs can apply. Applicants must demonstrate expertise in agricultural education and workforce development.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline is December 31, 2026. Applications open January 20, 2026.
What types of projects are funded?
Curriculum development, teacher training, student internships, and partnerships between education and industry. Projects must connect classroom learning to real agricultural careers.
How competitive is this funding?
Very competitive. NIFA funds high-quality proposals from established institutions with strong track records. Budget proposals must be justified with clear outcomes.
What is the typical funding range?
Awards vary by project scope. Budgets typically range from $50,000 to $500,000, though larger projects may qualify for more.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start by reviewing NIFA's funded projects from prior years. Successful applications align with their current priorities in workforce development.
- Build partnerships with employers, farms, or food companies. Funders want to see real-world connections for student training.
- Use data and metrics. Clearly define how you'll measure student learning outcomes and career placement rates.
- Tailor your narrative to NIFA's strategic goals. Check their most recent funding announcements for emphasis areas like diversity or sustainability.
- Submit early. NIFA reviews applications on rolling or fixed deadlines, so submit well before the due date to allow time for revision.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Vague learning objectives that don't connect to workforce needs. Proposal lacks employer partnerships or real-world career pathways.
Weak budget justification with unrealistic cost estimates. Applicant organization has no proven track record in agricultural education or workforce development.
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