Higher Education - Multicultural Scholars Grant Program

The Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program provides support to students to help them complete their bachelor’s degree in the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Human (FANH) Sciences or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in order to successfully join the food and agricultural workforce. The purpose of the Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program is to increase the diversity of the food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce, and advance the educational achievement of all Americans by providing competitive grants to colleges and universities. Colleges and Universities can use this funding to support undergraduate scholarships and related experiential learning opportunities leading to the completion of a Bachelor’s degree in the FANH Sciences or a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.

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 grants. Project Directors who have received MSP awards in the last five years may also apply. However, the respective proposal must differ substantively in scope and objectives from previously funded MSP projects in the last five years by the same Project Director.

NIFA evaluates each application in a two-part process. First, each application is reviewed to ensure that it meets the administrative requirements set forth in the NOFO. Second, a peer-review process (https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-peer-review-process-competitive-grant-applications) will be used to evaluate the scientific and technical merit of applications that have meet the administrative requirements. After each peer review panel has completed deliberations, the responsible NIFA program staff will either recommend an application for support from available funds or decline an application due to insufficient funds or unfavorable review.

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Not Applicable.