Higher Education Challenge Grants Program
🏛 National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 3, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for higher education institutions seeking to strengthen graduate and professional degree programs in food and agricultural sciences. Land-grant colleges, universities, and accredited institutions with demonstrable capacity in food and agriculture can apply. They must offer at least one graduate degree in food and agricultural sciences or a professional DVM program.
Research foundations maintained by eligible institutions may also apply. Subcontracting to ineligible organizations is allowed if necessary for project success. Individual applicants seeking personal graduate funding are not eligible.
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Program description
The purpose of HEC, under assistance listing 10.217, is to strengthen institutional capacities, including curriculum, faculty, scientific instrumentation, and student recruitment and retention. The HEC program is focused on developing and improving formal master’s or doctorate degree-level food and agricultural sciences education and first professional degree-level education in veterinary medicine, such as a doctorate in veterinary medicine (DVM).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424 Supplement
- Project Narrative/Proposal
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Institutional documentation of accreditation and capacity
- Curriculum vitae of key personnel
Program contact
- 👤 Angela Tatum Policy Specialist
- 📧 grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
- 📞 0000000000
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.217 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$750,000
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$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$750,000
-
$749,977
-
$749,925
-
$749,261
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$749,000
Top States by Funding
- TX 14 awards $4.2M
- IN 6 awards $2.5M
- CA 6 awards $2.0M
- SD 4 awards $1.8M
- NC 4 awards $1.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.217). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $9,493,431 | |
| 2026 est. | $10,128,615 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
Land-grant institutions and accredited colleges/universities with capacity in food and agricultural sciences that award graduate degrees. Research foundations of eligible institutions also qualify.
Can individuals apply?
No. Individuals cannot apply to support their own graduate education. Only institutions can be applicants.
What types of projects are funded?
Projects that strengthen curriculum, recruit and retain students, develop faculty capacity, and upgrade scientific instrumentation at the graduate level.
What is the typical funding range?
Awards range from $150,000 to $750,000. The total program funds approximately $5.7 million annually.
Is cost-sharing required?
No. Cost-sharing is not required for this grant, making it more accessible to institutions with limited resources.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus proposals on specific, measurable improvements to graduate programs in food and agricultural sciences or veterinary medicine.
- Clearly demonstrate your institution's capacity to execute the project with existing or planned faculty and facilities.
- Include specific strategies for recruiting and retaining graduate students from underrepresented groups.
- Detail how institutional investments will sustain improvements after grant funding ends.
- Align your project with emerging workforce needs in agriculture and food systems.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing projects that lack clear connection to graduate degree curricula or professional veterinary education. Failing to demonstrate institutional commitment through realistic timelines and existing infrastructure. Submitting generic capacity statements without specific program examples.
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