Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program
🏛 National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA) institutions certified by NIFA. Only colleges and universities with NIFA NLGCA certification can apply directly. Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and McIntire-Stennis institutions may hold NLGCA status simultaneously.
Applicants use grants to build capacity in agriculture, renewable resources, and related fields. Funded activities include education, research, outreach, and integrated programs addressing national and regional priorities. Institutions can purchase equipment, develop faculty, and create graduate assistantships.
Subcontracts to ineligible organizations are allowed if necessary for project completion. All institutions must be currently certified by NIFA at application time. Check the official NLGCA List to confirm institutional eligibility before applying.
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Program description
The NLGCA Program, under assistance listing number 10.326, will assist NLGCA institutions in maintaining and expanding their capacity to conduct education, research, outreach, and integrated activities relating to agriculture, renewable resources, and other similar disciplines. NLGCA institutions may use the funds to maintain and expand capacity:
1. to successfully compete for funds from Federal grants and other sources to carry out educational, research, outreach, and integrated activities that address priority concerns of national, regional, State, and local interest;
2. to disseminate information relating to priority concerns to:
a. interested members of the agriculture, renewable resources, and other relevant communities;
b. the public; and
c. any other interested entity;
3. to encourage members of the agriculture, renewable resources, and other relevant communities to participate in priority education, research, outreach, and integrated activities by providing matching funds to leverage grant resources, and through:
a. the purchase or other acquisition of equipment and other infrastructure (not including alteration, repair, renovation, or construction of buildings);
b. the professional growth and development of the faculty of the NLGCA Institution; and
c. the development of graduate assistantships.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative/Proposal
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- NLGCA Certification Documentation
- Curriculum Vitae of Key Personnel
Program contact
- 👤 Joseph Perez Lead Policy Analyst
- 📧 grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
- 📞 202-445-5402
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.326 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
Top States by Funding
- TX 30 awards $9.4M
- TN 14 awards $5.6M
- CA 15 awards $5.1M
- WI 8 awards $4.4M
- FL 6 awards $2.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.326). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $4,836,838 | |
| 2026 est. | $5,733,760 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
Only colleges and universities certified as Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture by NIFA. Check the official NLGCA List for current certification status.
Can subcontracting partners be from ineligible organizations?
Yes, if they are necessary for project completion. The applicant institution must be NLGCA-certified.
What activities can be funded?
Education, research, outreach, and integrated activities in agriculture and renewable resources. Equipment purchase, faculty development, and graduate assistantships are eligible uses.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is November 10, 2026. Submit applications by this date to be considered.
What is the funding range?
Awards typically range from $30,000 to $750,000. Total program funding is $5.7 million.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Verify NLGCA certification on the official NIFA list before investing application effort. Ineligible institutions cannot apply.
- Align your proposal with national and regional agricultural priorities. NIFA funds capacity-building for competitive Federal grants.
- Use funds strategically for faculty development and infrastructure. These investments strengthen your institution's competitiveness long-term.
- If using subcontracts, clearly explain why external partners are necessary. Make the case for their essential role.
- Start early and review NIFA's grants guidance. New applicants benefit from understanding Federal award processes before drafting.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications from non-certified institutions are automatically ineligible. Verify NLGCA status before applying. Proposals lacking clear connection to national or regional agricultural priorities score poorly. Vague budget justifications for equipment or faculty development weaken competitiveness.
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