Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program
🏛 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 tribally controlled institutions and enrolled tribal members conducting agricultural, environmental, or natural resource research. Applicants must be enrolled members of federally recognized Indian tribes or employees of tribal colleges. The program supports research that addresses tribal community needs and sustainable food systems. Activities include field studies, applied research, and projects improving food security and agricultural innovation on tribal lands.
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Program description
TCRGP focuses on development of research capacity at Tribal colleges, specifically in agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. The program aims to teach leadership skills, knowledge, and qualities that are necessary to prepare students to be competitive with other students for agricultural and related careers in the private sector, government, and academia. Of interest are the projects involving innovative agricultural technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), data science, robotics, and other cutting edge digital tools. NIFA encourages incorporation of opportunities for training undergraduate students in these areas to equip them with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to adapt to and thrive in an increasingly digital society and expose them to educational and career pathways in AI for food and agricultural sciences.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Federal Application Form)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Research Plan
- Letters of Support (tribal leadership recommended)
- CV or biographical sketch of principal investigator
- Tribal enrollment documentation or employment verification
Program contact
- 👤 Yamilis Ocasio Grantor
- 📧 grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
- 📞 6892630095
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.227 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$650,000
-
$650,000
-
$650,000
-
$650,000
-
$650,000
-
$650,000
-
$649,952
-
$646,304
-
$643,775
-
$530,612
Top States by Funding
- NM 13 awards $5.7M
- WI 10 awards $3.4M
- MT 9 awards $2.2M
- WA 6 awards $2.0M
- ND 7 awards $1.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.227). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $4,140,077 | |
| 2025 | $2,318,141 | |
| 2026 est. | $5,069,910 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
Enrolled tribal members and tribal college employees from federally recognized tribes. Tribal colleges, tribal research organizations, and tribal enterprises may also apply.
What types of research does this program fund?
Agricultural research, food systems, natural resource management, and projects addressing tribal community priorities.
What is the typical deadline?
The fixed deadline is December 31 annually. Applications open in April.
How competitive is this program?
Moderately competitive. Strong preference for research directly benefiting tribal communities and addressing local food security or sovereignty.
What is the typical funding range?
Awards typically range from $50,000 to $150,000 for single projects, though amounts vary by year.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus on how research benefits your specific tribal community and addresses their identified priorities.
- Demonstrate strong partnerships with tribal leadership, extension services, or community organizations.
- Include explicit timelines and measurable outcomes tied to tribal food systems or agricultural goals.
- Clearly explain capacity and infrastructure your tribal college or organization has for conducting research.
- Highlight how results will be disseminated back to the community in accessible formats.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack clear connection to tribal community needs. Proposals omit tribal consultation or partnership letters from tribal leadership. Budgets are unrealistic or lack sufficient detail for the scope proposed.
Similar grants
- OPEN Tribal Colleges Extension Program – Capacity Applications — National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- OPEN Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Foundational and Applied Science Program — National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- OPEN Tribal Colleges and Universities Program — U.S. National Science Foundation
- OPEN Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Education and Workforce Development — National Institute of Food and Agriculture
- CLOSED Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program – Organic Transitions — National Institute of Food and Agriculture