Resident Instruction Grants for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas Agriculture and Food Science Facilities and Equipment Program for Insular Areas
Can you apply?
This grant is for institutions of higher education and land-grant universities located in insular areas (U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands) that seek to build or renovate facilities and purchase equipment for agriculture and food science instruction and research. The program supports the development of modern teaching and research infrastructure to strengthen resident instruction in agriculture, natural resources, and food science disciplines. Eligible activities include facility construction/renovation, equipment acquisition, and related infrastructure improvements. Applicants must be accredited institutions offering degree programs in agriculture, food science, or related fields and must demonstrate institutional commitment and cost-sharing capacity.
This grant is for institutions of higher education and land-grant universities located in insular areas (U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands) that seek to build or renovate facilities and purchase equipment for agriculture and food science instruction and research. The program supports the development of modern teaching and research infrastructure to strengthen resident instruction in agriculture, natural resources, and food science disciplines. Eligible activities include facility construction/renovation, equipment acquisition, and related infrastructure improvements. Applicants must be accredited institutions offering degree programs in agriculture, food science, or related fields and must demonstrate institutional commitment and cost-sharing capacity.
Program description
The purpose of the RIIA and AGFEI programs, under Assistance Listing number 10.308, is to promote and strengthen the ability of eligible institutions in the Insular Areas to carry out education and research, respectively, within the food and agricultural sciences.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for institutions of higher education and land-grant universities located in insular areas (U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands) that seek to build or renovate facilities and purchase equipment for agriculture and food science instruction and research. The program supports the development of modern teaching and research infrastructure to strengthen resident instruction in agriculture, natural resources, and food science disciplines. Eligible activities include facility construction/renovation, equipment acquisition, and related infrastructure improvements. Applicants must be accredited institutions offering degree programs in agriculture, food science, or related fields and must demonstrate institutional commitment and cost-sharing capacity.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Standard Form (SF-424) and SF-424 Supplement
- Project narrative with detailed justification, need assessment, and educational impact plan
- Itemized budget and budget narrative with detailed cost documentation
- Architectural plans or conceptual designs for facility projects
- Equipment specifications and cost quotes for equipment acquisitions
- Institutional commitment documentation (board resolutions, cost-share pledges)
- Letters of support from faculty, regional partners, and community stakeholders
- Curriculum vitae of project director and key personnel
- Institutional capacity documentation and relevant organizational history
- DUNS number and SAM.gov registration (active and current)
Program contact
- 👤 Heidi Z Vanegas Grantor
- 📧 grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
- 📞 7012700318
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.308 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$200,000
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$200,000
-
$200,000
-
$200,000
-
$200,000
-
$200,000
-
$200,000
-
$200,000
-
$200,000
-
$200,000
Top States by Funding
- PR 26 awards $4.1M
- GU 8 awards $1.5M
- AS 4 awards $0.7M
- FM 2 awards $0.3M
- MP 2 awards $0.3M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.308). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,825,159 | |
| 2026 est. | $1,909,715 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Accredited institutions of higher education in U.S. insular areas (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands) that offer degree programs in agriculture, food science, or closely related disciplines and have resident instruction as a core mission.
What activities and expenses does this grant support?
This program funds facility construction, renovation, and modernization; equipment acquisition for teaching and research labs; and infrastructure improvements that directly support agriculture and food science instruction and research. Activities must directly enhance resident instruction capacity.
What are the typical funding ranges and project periods?
NIFA grants of this type typically range from $50,000 to several hundred thousand dollars, depending on project scope and institutional need. Projects may be multi-year in duration with specific milestones for facility completion or equipment deployment.
How competitive is this program and what makes an application stand out?
Competition is typically moderate but highly competitive among insular area institutions. Strong applications demonstrate clear institutional need, qualified faculty involvement, strong partnerships with regional agricultural sectors, sustainability plans for facility operations, and significant institutional cost-sharing commitments.
When is the application deadline and how long does the review process take?
The application deadline is June 15, 2026, with applications opening April 29, 2026. The review process typically takes 3-4 months, with funding decisions made in late fall or early winter for projects beginning the following fiscal year.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Invest significant time in documenting unmet facility and equipment needs through surveys, focus groups with faculty and industry partners, and comparative analysis with peer institutions in other U.S. regions. Quantify the educational impact of deficiencies.
- Demonstrate strong institutional commitment by securing long-term funding pledges for facility operations, maintenance, and staffing. Boards of trustees resolutions and multi-year budget allocations carry substantial weight with reviewers.
- Include letters of support from regional agricultural industry partners, extension service directors, and community stakeholders who will benefit from improved agricultural education capacity. These external endorsements strengthen competitiveness.
- Develop a clear sustainability plan that addresses ongoing operational costs, maintenance funding, staffing for labs, and equipment replacement. Reviewers want assurance the institution can maintain investments over time.
- Align your project with USDA priorities in agricultural development, food security, tropical agriculture, and economic resilience in insular territories. Explicitly connect your project to broader regional agricultural development and workforce needs.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail by underestimating total costs (construction, equipment, contingencies) or presenting unrealistic budgets that lack adequate cost documentation. Additionally, many proposals lack compelling evidence of institutional need and fail to articulate how improved facilities will measurably enhance student learning outcomes and agricultural workforce development in the region. Weak cost-sharing commitments or vague sustainability plans significantly reduce competitiveness.
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