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Closes in 7 daysOpportunity USDA-NIFA-CGP-011315

Higher Education Challenge Grants Program

National Institute of Food and Agriculture · Department of Agriculture

At a glance

Higher Education Challenge Grants Program is an open federal grant opportunity from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Department of Agriculture). Applications are due October 15, 2026. Individual awards are listed as $150K – $750K, with about 36 awards expected and $5.7M in total estimated funding. Applicant types listed as eligible include others (see notice). Cost sharing is not required. It is funded under Assistance Listing 10.217 (Higher Education - Institution Challenge Grants Program).

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Key facts

Posted
Aug 5, 2026
Close date
Oct 15, 2026
Archive date
Nov 14, 2026
Award floor
$150,000
Award ceiling
$750,000
Est. total funding
$5,700,000
Expected awards
36
Cost sharing
Not required
Funding instrument
Grant
Opportunity category
Discretionary

Who can apply

  • Others (see notice)

Additional information on eligibility (from the notice)

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.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Official synopsis as published by the agency, formatted for readability.

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 from the agency ↗

Assistance Listing

What is an ALN?

Reported obligations under ALN 10.217

Historical data · not a prediction
FY24$9.49M
FY25—
FY26$10.1M est.
Source: SAM.gov Assistance Listing 10.217. Program-wide totals, not awards from this specific opportunity.

Agency contact (as published)

Angela Tatum Policy Specialist
grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov
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Quick answers

When is the deadline for “Higher Education Challenge Grants Program”?

According to the official notice, applications are due October 15, 2026. Confirm the deadline and submission time on Grants.gov before applying.

Who is eligible to apply for “Higher Education Challenge Grants Program”?

The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible: Others (see notice). Additional restrictions may apply; review the full notice.

How much funding is available through “Higher Education Challenge Grants Program”?

Per the notice, individual awards are listed as $150k – $750k, total estimated program funding is $5,700,000 and the agency expects to make about 36 awards.

How do I apply for “Higher Education Challenge Grants Program”?

Applications are submitted through the official source, not through GrantsJunction. Open the official notice on Grants.gov (opportunity USDA-NIFA-CGP-011315), and review the full announcement and application package. Organizations applying through Grants.gov generally need an active SAM.gov registration and a Grants.gov account, which can take several weeks to set up.

Matched on shared Assistance Listings, agency, categories and eligible applicant types.