Opportunity ID: 363479
General Information
| Funding Opportunity Number | USDA-NIFA-CGP-011315 |
| Funding Opportunity Title | Higher Education Challenge Grants Program |
| Agency | Angela Tatum Policy Specialist |
| Document Type | synopsis |
| Version | 1 |
| Opportunity Category | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation | Not specified |
| Funding Instrument Type | Grant |
| Category of Funding Activity | Agriculture |
| Category Explanation | Not specified |
| Expected Number of Awards | 36 |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement | No |
| Posted Date | Aug 05, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Last Updated Date | Aug 05, 2026 03:35:47 PM EDT |
| Original Closing Date | Oct 15, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Original Closing Date Notes | Not specified |
| Current Closing Date | Oct 15, 2026 12:00:00 AM EDT |
| Current Closing Date Notes | Not specified |
| Estimated Synopsis Date | Not specified |
| Estimated Application Due Date | Not specified |
| Estimated Award Date | Not specified |
| Estimated Project Start Date | Not specified |
| Archive Date | Nov 14, 2026 12:00:00 AM EST |
| Estimated Total Program Funding | 5,700,000 |
| Award Ceiling | 750,000 |
| Award Floor | 150,000 |
Assistance Listings
- 10.217 — Higher Education – Institution Challenge Grants Program
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants | Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification) |
Eligibility Requirements
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.
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).
Additional Information
| Contact | Angela Tatum Policy Specialist |
| Contact Information | NIFA Support Email grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays |
| grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov | |
| Email Description | If you have questions about preparing application content, contact grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov |
| Phone | 0000000000 |
Higher Education Challenge Grants Program
Version History
Attachment changes
| Id / Opportunity id | 363479 |
| Id / Att type | D |
| Id / Created date | Aug 24, 2026 01:04:37 PM EDT |
| Id / Att type desc | Related Documents |
| Id / Comments date | Aug 24, 2026 |
| Change comments | The FY26 HEC NOFO has been updated to expand applicant eligibility to include institutions offering four year (baccalaureate) degrees, in addition to graduate level degrees (Page 15).
On Page 25, the instructions for the Biographical Sketch (BS) and Current and Pending (Other) Support sections were updated to reference the NIFA Grants Application Guide, consistent with the standard NOFO template. Additional edits throughout the document (Pages 1–36) consist of formatting improvements and minor editorial clarifications. These changes do not affect program requirements, funding levels, deadlines, or review criteria. |
| Id | 363479 |
| Revision | 0 |
| Opportunity number | USDA-NIFA-CGP-011315 |
| Opportunity title | Higher Education Challenge Grants Program |
| Owning agency code | USDA-NIFA |
| Opportunity category / Category | D |
| Opportunity category / Description | Discretionary |
| Synopsis / Opportunity id | 363479 |
| Synopsis / Version | 1 |
| Synopsis / Agency code | USDA-NIFA |
| Synopsis / Agency name | Angela Tatum Policy Specialist |
| Synopsis / Agency phone | 0000000000 |
| 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 | 0000000000 |
| Synopsis / Agency contact name | Angela Tatum Policy Specialist |
| 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 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). |
| 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/higher-education-challenge-grants-program |
| Synopsis / Funding desc link desc | Higher Education Challenge Grants Program |
| Synopsis / Posting date | Aug 05, 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 | 36 |
| Synopsis / Estimated funding | 5700000 |
| Synopsis / Estimated funding formatted | 5,700,000 |
| Synopsis / Award ceiling | 750000 |
| Synopsis / Award ceiling formatted | 750,000 |
| Synopsis / Award floor | 150000 |
| Synopsis / Award floor formatted | 150,000 |
| Synopsis / Applicant eligibility desc | Eligibility Requirements 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. |
| Synopsis / Create time stamp | Aug 24, 2026 01:04:37 PM EDT |
| Synopsis / Created date | Aug 05, 2026 03:35:47 PM EDT |
| Synopsis / Last updated date | Aug 05, 2026 03:35:47 PM 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 | 2026-08-05-00-00-00 |
| Synopsis / Archive date str | 2026-11-14-00-00-00 |
| Synopsis / Create time stamp str | 2026-08-24-13-04-37 |
| 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 | 81006 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Opportunity id | 363479 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Folder type | Full Announcement |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Folder name | FY26 HEC NOFO |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Zip lob size | 498692 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Created date | Aug 05, 2026 03:44:25 PM EDT |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Last updated date | Aug 24, 2026 01:04:12 PM EDT |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Id | 354401 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Opportunity id | 363479 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Mime type | application/pdf |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / File name | FY26-HEC-NOFO-P-MOD1.pdf |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / File description | FY26 Higher Education Challenge NOFO |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / File lob size | 519378 |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Created date | Aug 05, 2026 03:45:20 PM EDT |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Last updated date | Aug 24, 2026 01:04:12 PM EDT |
| Synopsis attachment folders 1 / Synopsis attachments 1 / Synopsis att folder id | 81006 |
| Synopsis document urls | Not specified |
| Syn att change comments 1 / Id / Opportunity id | 363479 |
| Syn att change comments 1 / Id / Att type | D |
| Syn att change comments 1 / Id / Created date | Aug 24, 2026 01:04:37 PM EDT |
| Syn att change comments 1 / Id / Att type desc | Related Documents |
| Syn att change comments 1 / Id / Comments date | Aug 24, 2026 |
| Syn att change comments 1 / Change comments | The FY26 HEC NOFO has been updated to expand applicant eligibility to include institutions offering four year (baccalaureate) degrees, in addition to graduate level degrees (Page 15).
On Page 25, the instructions for the Biographical Sketch (BS) and Current and Pending (Other) Support sections were updated to reference the NIFA Grants Application Guide, consistent with the standard NOFO template. Additional edits throughout the document (Pages 1–36) consist of formatting improvements and minor editorial clarifications. These changes do not affect program requirements, funding levels, deadlines, or review criteria. |
| Cfdas 1 / Id | 434911 |
| Cfdas 1 / Opportunity id | 363479 |
| Cfdas 1 / Cfda number | 10.217 |
| Cfdas 1 / Program title | Higher Education – Institution Challenge Grants Program |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Id | 293866 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Topportunity id | 363479 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Family id | 14 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Dialect | XFDL2.2 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opportunity number | USDA-NIFA-CGP-011315 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opportunity title | Higher Education Challenge Grants Program |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Cfda number | 10.217 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opening date | 2026-08-05 |
| 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 – Institution Challenge Grants Program |
| 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 | 85 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Open to applicant type | 1 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Is multi project | N |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Extension | |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Mimetype | application/pdf |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Last update | Aug 05, 2026 03:43:28 PM EDT |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Workspace compatible flag | Y |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Package id | PKG00293866 |
| Opportunity pkgs 1 / Opening date str | 2026-08-05-00-00-00 |
| 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 |
Related Documents
FY26-HEC-NOFO-P-MOD1.pdf
Packages
| Agency Contact Information: | NIFA Support Email grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays |
| Assistance Listing Number | Competition ID | Competition Title | Opportunity Package ID | Opening Date | Closing Date | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.217 | PKG00293866 | 2026-08-05 | 2026-10-15 | View |
Package 1
Instructions
PKG00293866-instructions.pdf
Mandatory forms
RR_SF424_5_0-V5.0.pdf
NIFA_Supplemental_Info_1_3-V1.3.pdf
PerformanceSite_4_0-V4.0.pdf
RR_Budget_3_0-V3.0.pdf
RR_PersonalData_1_2-V1.2.pdf
RR_OtherProjectInfo_1_4-V1.4.pdf
RR_KeyPersonExpanded_4_0-V4.0.pdf
Optional forms
RR_SubawardBudget30_3_0-V3.0.pdf
