Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program – US

Deadline: 15-May-23

NIFA requests applications for the Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 to conduct scholarship programs leading to either baccalaureate degrees within the Food and Agricultural Sciences or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degrees.

Purpose and Priorities

• The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is designated as the lead federal agency that supports higher education in food and agricultural sciences. In this context, NIFA has specific responsibility to initiate and support projects to strengthen higher education teaching programs.
• The purpose of the Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) is to provide scholarships to support recruiting, engaging, retaining, mentoring, and training committed multicultural scholars, resulting in either baccalaureate degrees within the food and agricultural science disciplines or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degrees.
• The goals and objectives of the scholarships are to encourage outstanding students from groups that are historically underrepresented and underserved to pursue and complete baccalaureate degrees in food and agricultural sciences, or achieve a D.V.M., that would lead to a diverse and highly skilled work force. This may or may not include the teaching and preservation of traditional ecological knowledge.
• Underrepresented/underserved groups are those whose representation among food and agricultural professionals is disproportionately less than their proportion in the general population as indicated in standard statistical references, or as documented on a case-by-case basis by national survey data (e.g., the U.S. Department of Education’s Digest of Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Agricultural Education Information Systems, etc.).

Aims

Through scholarships, MSP aims to increase the participation of any group historically underrepresented in USDA mission areas and prepare them for the professional and scientific workforce in the food and agricultural sciences. NIFA is soliciting applications for student education that will:

• Prepare graduates to meet the demand for highly qualified personnel entering the workforce related to the food and agricultural sciences;
• Support more undergraduates in transitioning to graduate education in USDA mission sciences;
• Contribute to the reduction of the disparity among underrepresented and underserved populations entering graduate schools to better reflect the demographics of the U.S. and enable higher education to remain globally competitive;
• Promote student success within food and agricultural disciplines at the undergraduate/D.V.M. level; and
• Focus on social support structure, and professional mentoring to ensure entry into food and agricultural science areas and completion of graduate education or high level of competitiveness for the workforce.

Project and Grant Types

The following describes the types of projects or grants that are eligible for funding:

• Project Types. Applicants may only submit proposals for Single-function Education Projects. Single-function Education Projects develop human capital relevant to overall program goals for U.S. agriculture.
  • Single Function Education: Projects must focus on developing skills necessary for entry- and mid-level technical employment or for entering graduate programs in food and agricultural sciences.
• Grant Types. Eligible applicants may request MSP funds, or MSP and Special Experiential Learning (SEL) funds. Applicants CANNOT request SEL funds only.
  • There is no limit to the number of applications an eligible institution may submit; however, an institution may only receive support up to a maximum of $250,000 in awards for FY 2023 award cycle.
  • Multicultural Scholarship Program Grants (MSP) – MSP supports Scholars through scholarships.
  • MSP Grants with Special Experiential Learning (SEL) – Optional: SEL funded activities provide opportunities for eligible NEW (i.e. to be recruited) MSP Scholars to participate in:
    • research projects focused on relevant topics at institutions or organizations other than their own;
    • apprenticeships, internships, or similar participatory learning experiences including, but not limited to, practicums for DVM students, internships abroad, or externships in the private or public sector;
    • study abroad programs relevant to their majors; and
    • other relevant activities.

Funding Information

• The amount available for the Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) in FY 2023 is approximately $1,250,000.
  • Grant Duration: 60 Months
  • Anticipated # of Awards: 5 per annum
  • Maximum Award Amount: $250,000
• Program Area: MSP
  • Project Duration: 5 yrs.
  • Maximum Amount: Up to $230,000
• Program Area: SEL
  • Project Duration: 1 yr.
  • Maximum Amount: Up to $20,000
• Program Area: Combined MSP and SEL
  • Project Duration: 5 yrs.
  • Maximum Amount: Up to $250,000

Eligibility Criteria

• Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award.
• Only the following are eligible to apply: Land-Grant Institutions, Colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments, other colleges and universities, and Institutes or research foundations maintained by an eligible college or university. Institutions that have not previously applied are especially encouraged to do so. Applicants must be institutions that confer a bachelor’s or D.V.M. degree in at least one of the disciplines in the food and agricultural sciences.
• Awards are made to eligible colleges and universities. Individuals are not eligible to apply for these grant.
• Project Directors who have received MSP awards in the last five years may also apply.
• Due to statutory restrictions, extensions beyond the five-year period are not allowed. Any eligible institution may, however, apply for a new award with a different scope of work in any fiscal year(s) in which appropriated funds are available for this program. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project.
• Student Eligibility as Scholars
  • Awards to Scholars are made by eligible institutions (grantees) receiving funds under this program. Scholars must:
    • Be citizens, national, or permanent residents of the United States as determined in accordance with Federal law;
    • Have been accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, at an institution that was awarded a project grant under this program, or at a two-year institution which has entered into an articulation agreement, bridging agreement, or other type of collaborative arrangement with a baccalaureate-level institution that has been awarded a project grant under this program;
    • Be enrolled as a full-time student, as defined by the institution, in a program of study in the food and agricultural sciences leading to an undergraduate degree or D.V.M. during each semester or quarter that he/she receives MSP support.
    • Maintain good academic standing and satisfactory degree progress as determined by their institution;
    • Not have been enrolled previously in an academic program in the food and agricultural sciences at the same degree level; and
    • Have a strong interest, as judged by the institution, in pursuing a career as a food or agricultural scientist or professional.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.