Eligible: Education

Apply by Oct 15, 2026

Active

$150,000 - $750,000

Higher Education Challenge Grants Program

From Department of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture

NIFA is soliciting applications for the FY 2026 Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program. HEC supports U.S. colleges and universities in delivering high quality, evidence based academic programs that prepare citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States for leadership and professional roles in the Nation’s food and agricultural sciences workforce.

  • Overview

    • Type

      Cooperative Agreement, Grant

    • Title

      Higher Education Challenge Grants Program

    • Source

      Department of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture

    • Federal or State

      Federal

    • Total Amount

      $5,700,000

    • Number of Awards

      36

    • Award Range

      $150,000 - $750,000

    • Cost Share

      No

    • Status

      Active

  • Eligibility

    • Audience

      Education

    • Sector

      Agriculture

    • Activity

      Education & Outreach, Research & Development

    • Eligibility

      Eligible Entities

      1862 Land-grant Institutions
      1890 Land-grant Institutions
      1994 Land-grant Institutions
      For-profit Organizations Other Than Small Businesses
      Hispanic-Serving Institutions
      State Controlled Institutions of Higher Ed

      Eligible Activities

      Applicants must propose Education Projects that develop human capital to help meet current and future national food and agricultural sciences workplace needs.

      Applicants must select the appropriate grant type from below:

      • Standard Grants support targeted original Education Projects. An applicant may submit a grant application for project activities to be undertaken principally on behalf of its own students or faculty, and to be managed primarily by its own personnel. The applicant executes the project without the requirement of sharing grant funds with other project partners. Applicants may request a maximum of $150,000 total (not per year) for a Standard Grant application.
      Collaborative Grants support projects that strengthen higher education in the food and agricultural sciences at the advanced baccalaureate level or above, including master’s, doctorate, and DVM programs. Funding is intended to enhance academic quality through curriculum innovation, faculty development, experiential learning, and multi-institution collaboration.

    • Location

      National

  • Application Process

    • Pre-Application?

      No

    • Requirements

      There is no limit on the number of applications that an institution may submit. However, under this program each institution or applicant group may receive no more than two awards per annual HEC competition.

    • Disbursement Method

      Unspecified

  • Important Dates

    • Application Open Date

      Aug 5, 2026

    • Application Close Date

      Oct 15, 2026

  • Resources & Contacts

  • Have a general question?

    Get answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about funding.

  • Need help with something specific?

    Reach out to get support or learn more about this opportunity.