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US: Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program

Deadline: 19-Apr-23

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is seeking applications for Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program.

The purpose of this program is to support research, education/teaching, and extension projects that increase participation by women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas in STEM.

NIFA intends this program to address educational needs within broadly defined areas of food and agricultural sciences. Applications recommended for funding must highlight and emphasize the development of a competent and qualified workforce in the food and agricultural sciences.

WAMS-funded projects improve the economic health and viability of rural communities by developing research and extension initiatives that focus on new and emerging employment opportunities in STEM occupations. Projects that contribute to the economic viability of rural communities are also encouraged.

Purpose and Priorities

  • For the Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields (WAMS) program, NIFA will support projects with a target audience of K-14 students (kindergarten through twelfth grade plus two years of post-secondary schooling (e.g., vocational technical institutions or community or junior colleges)).
  • Four-year undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral focused projects will not be awarded under this grant announcement. Projects with a primary target of four-year undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral studies should consider other NIFA’s workforce development focused programs.
  • The purpose of this program is to support integrated education/teaching and extension/outreach projects that increase participation by women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas in STEM. For a definition of “underrepresented minorities” and “rural area” please visit Appendix III of this RFA. NIFA intends for this program to address educational needs, as determined by each institution, within broadly defined areas of food and agricultural sciences and their allied disciplines.
  • Applications recommended for funding must highlight and emphasize the development of a competent and qualified workforce in the food and agricultural enterprise. WAMS-funded projects should improve the economic health and viability of rural communities by developing education and extension initiatives that focus on new and emerging employment opportunities in STEM occupations for women and underrepresented minorities. Projects that contribute to the economic viability of rural communities are also encouraged.
  • WAMS project activities must support the creation, adaptation, and adoption of learning materials and teaching strategies to operationalize what they know about how students learn. Many of these concepts are identified in the National Research Council’s publication How People Learn. WAMS-funded projects shall also focus on imparting both technical knowledge as well as leadership and interpersonal skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problemsolving, as these are abilities expected by employers.
Funding Information
  • The amount available for the Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields (WAMS) program in FY 2023 is approximately $1,800,000.
  • Award Ceiling: $200,000.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Eligibility Requirements As contained in Section 7204 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) (Pub. L. 110-246 which amends Section 1672 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925)), applications may only be submitted by the following eligible applicants:
    • State agricultural experiment stations;
    • colleges and universities;
    • university research foundations;
    • other research institutions and organizations;
    • Federal agencies;
    • national laboratories;
    • private organizations or corporations; and,
    • individuals or any group consisting of two or more of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (H). Applicants for the Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields (WAMS) program must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA.
  • 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 Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.
  • Duplicate or Multiple Submission – submissions of duplicate (other than revisions) or predominantly overlapping applications is not allowed. In FY2023, An eligible applicant may submit up to two applications on behalf of multiple institution’s staff as long as they are not essentially duplications of the same project or portions of the same project to multiple programs.
  • NIFA will disqualify both applications if an applicant submits duplicate submissions. For additional information or clarification please contact the NIFA POC listed in this RFA. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.