National Institute of Food and Agriculture · Department of Agriculture
Higher Education Challenge Grants Program
Key facts
- Deadline
- Due Oct 15, 2026 · 9 days left
- Award size
- $150K – $750K
- Total available
- $5.7M · about 36 awards
- Cost share / match
- Not required
- Who can apply
- Other (see eligibility)
- Where
- Anywhere in the U.S., including Tennessee
How this fits you
- Available in Tennessee (nationwide program)
- No cost share required
- Only 9 days left to apply
- Tennessee recipients since 2023: 4
Tell us who you are to see whether you're eligible.
Read the official notice View on Grants.gov
About this grant
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).
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.
Who in Tennessee has won this program
4 awards to Tennessee recipients in 3 counties since federal FY2023. Largest shown:
| Recipient | Where | Amount | FY |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $740K | 2024 |
| University Of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $150K | 2024 |
| University Of Tennessee | Chattanooga, Hamilton County | $134K | 2021 |
| University Of Tennessee | Martin, Weakley County | $28K | 2019 |
Source: USAspending.gov. Past awards show who this program funds; they don't guarantee future awards.
About the program (10.217)
Higher Education - Institution Challenge Grants Program — Institution Challenge, Multicultural Scholars & Graduate Fellowships Grant Program (Institution Higher Education Challenge) [Formerly: Challenge or HEC Grants]
How applications are judged
Within guidelines established for the program as described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The most current NOFOs are available via:
https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/higher-education-challenge-hec-grants-program
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Examples of funded projects
Not Applicable.