Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowships

Opportunity ID: 363559

General Information

Assistance Listings

• 10.210 — Higher Education National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grants

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

Applicants for the NNF program must meet all the requirements discussed in this NOFO. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s About Grants provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

1. Applicant Eligibility

Land-grant Institutions and other colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences and confer a graduate degree in at least one discipline or area of food and agricultural sciences are eligible to apply. Institutions offering degrees should be accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Research foundations maintained by an eligible college or university are eligible.

Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply, provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project.

Individuals are not eligible to apply for these grants to support their own graduate education.

2. Student Eligibility

The awarded institutions develop selection criteria for graduate students in the NNF application, and it is the awarded institution’s responsibility to provide fellowships to high-caliber students in superior academic standing according to the developed criteria.

For individuals to receive fellowship stipend support through the NNF Program, they must:

i. Be citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States of America as determined in accordance with Federal law;

ii. Have strong interest, as judged by the institution, in pursuing a degree in food and agriculture-relevant disciplines; are preparing for a career as a food or agricultural or natural resources scientist or professional; and are registered as full-time students; and

iii. Not have completed more than one semester or equivalent hours of full-time study as defined by the institution in the same academic program at the same degree level.

Successful applicants must select and identify fellows and award fellowships within 18 months of the start date of the award. Institutions that fail to meet this deadline will be required to refund monies associated with unawarded fellowships to NIFA. Graduate fellowship appointments must be awarded only to registered students who are pursuing full-time study in graduate programs of the area of focus and at the degree level supported by the award.

A Fellow at the master’s degree level who maintains satisfactory progress is eligible to receive fellowship support for a maximum of 24 months during a 30-month period. A Fellow at the DVM/doctoral degree level who maintains satisfactory progress is eligible to receive grant support for a maximum of 36 months within a 42-month period.

The intent of this program is that graduate fellows pursue full-time uninterrupted study. Graduate fellows are entitled to the normal student holidays observed by the institution. The time between academic semesters or quarters is to be utilized as an active part of the award period. During the period of support, Fellows, at the discretion of their institutions, may accept additional supplemental employment that would positively contribute to their training or research and would make them eligible for tuition waivers (e.g., full or partial tuition waivers with research or teaching assignments).

A Fellow who finds it necessary to interrupt his/her program of study because of health, personal, or other reasonable non-academic and non-disciplinary cause(s) must be allowed to resume funded study at any time within six months of the interruption, provided there is adequate time remaining before the award expires (i.e., within the 30-month total funding period for a master’s fellow, and 42-month total funding period for a

Description

The purpose of the NNF program, Assistance Listing 10.210, is to provide funding to support new graduate (master’s, DVM, or doctoral) student training and completion of degree programs to develop human capital to participate in meeting the mission of the USDA to increase the pipeline of domestic agricultural students. The NNF program offers funding for eligible full-time students pursuing graduate studies at the master’s, DVM, or doctoral levels within the food and agricultural sciences. The NNF program awards institutional grants to offer funding for eligible full-time students pursuing graduate studies at the master’s, DVM, and/or doctoral levels within the food and agricultural sciences. Fellows must be new graduate students (‘new’ is defined in Part III A); and citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. Awards made by the NNF program are specifically intended to support graduate programs that engage outstanding students who are citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States of America to pursue and complete their degrees in areas where there is a need for the development of scientific and professional expertise in the food and agricultural sciences. NNF awards invest in graduate training and relevant experiential learning for individuals who demonstrate their potential to successfully complete graduate degree programs in disciplines relevant to the mission of the USDA.

Additional Information

Contact	Yamilis Ocasio Grantor
Contact Information	NIFA Support Email grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays
Email	grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
Email Description	If you have questions about preparing application content, contact grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
Phone	6892630095

Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship

Version History

Id	363559
Revision	0
Opportunity number	USDA-NIFA-HEP-011737
Opportunity title	Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowships
Owning agency code	USDA-NIFA
Opportunity category / Category	D
Opportunity category / Description	Discretionary
Synopsis / Opportunity id	363559
Synopsis / Version	1
Synopsis / Agency code	USDA-NIFA
Synopsis / Agency name	Yamilis Ocasio Grantor
Synopsis / Agency phone	6892630095
Synopsis / Agency address desc	If you have questions about preparing application content, contact grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
Synopsis / Agency details / Code	NIFA
Synopsis / Agency details / Seed	USDA-NIFA
Synopsis / Agency details / Agency name	National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Synopsis / Agency details / Agency code	USDA-NIFA
Synopsis / Agency details / Top agency code	USDA
Synopsis / Top agency details / Code	USDA
Synopsis / Top agency details / Seed	USDA
Synopsis / Top agency details / Agency name	Department of Agriculture
Synopsis / Top agency details / Agency code	USDA
Synopsis / Top agency details / Top agency code	USDA
Synopsis / Agency contact phone	6892630095
Synopsis / Agency contact name	Yamilis Ocasio Grantor
Synopsis / Agency contact desc	NIFA Support Email grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays
Synopsis / Agency contact email	grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
Synopsis / Agency contact email desc	If you have questions about preparing application content, contact grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
Synopsis / Synopsis desc	The purpose of the NNF program, Assistance Listing 10.210, is to provide funding to support new graduate (master’s, DVM, or doctoral) student training and completion of degree programs to develop human capital to participate in meeting the mission of the USDA to increase the pipeline of domestic agricultural students. The NNF program offers funding for eligible full-time students pursuing graduate studies at the master’s, DVM, or doctoral levels within the food and agricultural sciences. The NNF program awards institutional grants to offer funding for eligible full-time students pursuing graduate studies at the master’s, DVM, and/or doctoral levels within the food and agricultural sciences. Fellows must be new graduate students (‘new’ is defined in Part III A); and citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States. Awards made by the NNF program are specifically intended to support graduate programs that engage outstanding students who are citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States of America to pursue and complete their degrees in areas where there is a need for the development of scientific and professional expertise in the food and agricultural sciences. NNF awards invest in graduate training and relevant experiential learning for individuals who demonstrate their potential to successfully complete graduate degree programs in disciplines relevant to the mission of the USDA.
Synopsis / Response date	Oct 15, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT
Synopsis / Response date desc	Not specified
Synopsis / Funding desc link url	https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/national-needs-graduate-postgraduate-fellowship-grants-program-funding-opportunity
Synopsis / Funding desc link desc	Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowship
Synopsis / Posting date	Aug 13, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT
Synopsis / Archive date	Nov 14, 2026 12:00:00 AM EST
Synopsis / Cost sharing	No
Synopsis / Number of awards	28
Synopsis / Estimated funding	14000000
Synopsis / Estimated funding formatted	14,000,000
Synopsis / Award ceiling	705000
Synopsis / Award ceiling formatted	705,000
Synopsis / Award floor	78000
Synopsis / Award floor formatted	78,000
Synopsis / Applicant eligibility desc	Applicants for the NNF program must meet all the requirements discussed in this NOFO. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s About Grants provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process. 1. Applicant Eligibility Land-grant Institutions and other colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences and confer a graduate degree in at least one discipline or area of food and agricultural sciences are eligible to apply. Institutions offering degrees should be accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Research foundations maintained by an eligible college or university are eligible. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply, provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. Individuals are not eligible to apply for these grants to support their own graduate education. 2. Student Eligibility The awarded institutions develop selection criteria for graduate students in the NNF application, and it is the awarded institution’s responsibility to provide fellowships to high-caliber students in superior academic standing according to the developed criteria. For individuals to receive fellowship stipend support through the NNF Program, they must: i. Be citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States of America as determined in accordance with Federal law; ii. Have strong interest, as judged by the institution, in pursuing a degree in food and agriculture-relevant disciplines; are preparing for a career as a food or agricultural or natural resources scientist or professional; and are registered as full-time students; and iii. Not have completed more than one semester or equivalent hours of full-time study as defined by the institution in the same academic program at the same degree level. Successful applicants must select and identify fellows and award fellowships within 18 months of the start date of the award. Institutions that fail to meet this deadline will be required to refund monies associated with unawarded fellowships to NIFA. Graduate fellowship appointments must be awarded only to registered students who are pursuing full-time study in graduate programs of the area of focus and at the degree level supported by the award. A Fellow at the master’s degree level who maintains satisfactory progress is eligible to receive fellowship support for a maximum of 24 months during a 30-month period. A Fellow at the DVM/doctoral degree level who maintains satisfactory progress is eligible to receive grant support for a maximum of 36 months within a 42-month period. The intent of this program is that graduate fellows pursue full-time uninterrupted study. Graduate fellows are entitled to the normal student holidays observed by the institution. The time between academic semesters or quarters is to be utilized as an active part of the award period. During the period of support, Fellows, at the discretion of their institutions, may accept additional supplemental employment that would positively contribute to their training or research and would make them eligible for tuition waivers (e.g., full or partial tuition waivers with research or teaching assignments). A Fellow who finds it necessary to interrupt his/her program of study because of health, personal, or other reasonable non-academic and non-disciplinary cause(s) must be allowed to resume funded study at any time within six months of the interruption, provided there is adequate time remaining before the award expires (i.e., within the 30-month total funding period for a master’s fellow, and 42-month total funding period for a
Synopsis / Create time stamp	Aug 13, 2026 08:34:59 AM EDT
Synopsis / Created date	Aug 13, 2026 08:21:29 AM EDT
Synopsis / Last updated date	Aug 13, 2026 08:21:29 AM EDT
Synopsis / Applicant types 1 / Id	25
Synopsis / Applicant types 1 / Description	Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Synopsis / Funding instruments 1 / Id	G
Synopsis / Funding instruments 1 / Description	Grant
Synopsis / Funding activity categories 1 / Id	AG
Synopsis / Funding activity categories 1 / Description	Agriculture
Synopsis / Response date str	2026-10-15-00-00-00
Synopsis / Posting date str	2026-08-13-00-00-00
Synopsis / Archive date str	2026-11-14-00-00-00
Synopsis / Create time stamp str	2026-08-13-08-34-59
Agency details / Code	NIFA
Agency details / Seed	USDA-NIFA
Agency details / Agency name	National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Agency details / Agency code	USDA-NIFA
Agency details / Top agency code	USDA
Top agency details / Code	USDA
Top agency details / Seed	USDA
Top agency details / Agency name	Department of Agriculture
Top agency details / Agency code	USDA
Top agency details / Top agency code	USDA
Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Id	81078
Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Opportunity id	363559
Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Folder type	Full Announcement
Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Folder name	FY26-NNF-NOFO
Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Zip lob size	424407
Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Created date	Aug 13, 2026 08:33:58 AM EDT
Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Last updated date	Aug 13, 2026 08:34:59 AM EDT
Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Id	354550
Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Opportunity id	363559
Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Mime type	application/pdf
Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / File name	FY26-NNF-NOFO.pdf
Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / File description	FY2026- FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES NATIONAL NEEDS GRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE FELLOWSHIP-NOFO
Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / File lob size	449376
Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Created date	Aug 13, 2026 08:34:59 AM EDT
Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Synopsis att folder id	81078
Synopsis document urls	Not specified
Syn att change comments	Not specified
Cfdas 1 / Id	435003
Cfdas 1 / Opportunity id	363559
Cfdas 1 / Cfda number	10.210
Cfdas 1 / Program title	Higher Education National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grants
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Id	293930
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Topportunity id	363559
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Family id	14
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Dialect	XFDL2.2
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opportunity number	USDA-NIFA-HEP-011737
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opportunity title	Food and Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate and Postgraduate Fellowships
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Cfda number	10.210
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opening date	2026-08-13
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Closing date	2026-10-15
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Owning agency code	USDA-NIFA
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Agency details / Code	NIFA
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Agency details / Seed	USDA-NIFA
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Agency details / Agency name	National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Agency details / Agency code	USDA-NIFA
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Agency details / Top agency code	USDA
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Top agency details / Code	USDA
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Top agency details / Seed	USDA
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Top agency details / Agency name	Department of Agriculture
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Top agency details / Agency code	USDA
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Top agency details / Top agency code	USDA
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Program title	Higher Education National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grants
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Contact info	NIFA Support Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays Email: grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Grace period	30
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Electronic required	Y
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Expected application count	70
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Open to applicant type	1
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Is multi project	N
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Extension	pdf
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Mimetype	application/pdf
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Last update	Aug 13, 2026 08:26:17 AM EDT
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Workspace compatible flag	Y
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Package id	PKG00293930
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opening date str	2026-08-13-00-00-00
Opportunity pkgs 1 / Closing date str	2026-10-15-00-00-00
Closed opportunity pkgs	Not specified
Original due date	Oct 15, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT
Original due date desc	Not specified
Synopsis modified fields	Not specified
Forecast modified fields	Not specified
Error messages	Not specified
Syn post date in past	Yes
Doc type	synopsis
Forecast hist count	0
Synopsis hist count	0
Assist compatible	No
Assist url	Not specified
Related opps	Not specified
Ost	POSTED

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Packages

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NIFA Support Email grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays

Package 1

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