Multicultural Scholars Program

Post Date

April 23rd 2010

Application Due Date

July 28th 2010

Funding Opportunity Number

USDA-NIFA-HEMS-003177

CFDA Number(s)

10.220

Funding Instrument Type(s)

Grant

Funding Activity Categories

Education

Eligibility Categories

Public and State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
Private Institutions of Higher Education
Other

Applications may be submitted by: (1) land-grant institutions, (2) colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences, and (3) other colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences. Research foundations maintained by an eligible college or university are eligible to submit baccalaureate or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine training proposals under this Request for Application. Individual students may NOT apply to this program to support their academic training. The anticipated award date is January 14, 2011. Applicants should be institutions that confer the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or a Baccalaureate degree in at least one of the Program Areas of Emphasis. Awards are made to eligible colleges and universities. Individuals seeking support to further their undergraduate education or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine training are not eligible to apply for these grants.

Funding

• Estimated Total Funding:

  $1100000

• Award Range:

  $20000 - $480000

Grant Description

The purpose of this competitive undergraduate scholarship grant program is to increase the multicultural 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. This program solicits applications to train students in the Emphasis Areas of (1)Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degree in Veterinary Medicine); (2) Agricultural Sciences and Engineering for Bioenergy; (3) Natural Resources Sciences Training; (4) Human Sciences Training; (5) Food Science and Human Nutrition Training; and (6) Agrosecurity Science Training. Applications are sought for student training that: (i) will prepare graduates to meet the demand for highly qualified personnel entering the workforce in the food and agricultural sciences domain; (ii) will pipeline more undergraduates into graduate education in the food and agricultural sciences; (iii) will address the substantial gap between White, Latino and African American populations entering graduate schools to enable the American system of higher education to remain competitive with the rest of the world; (iv) will promote students’ success in food and agricultural science disciplines at the undergraduate/DVM level; and (v) will focus on student learning, e.g., academic preparation, social support structure (tutoring, mentoring, experiential opportunities in research and study abroad), and professional mentoring to ensure matriculation and entry into food and agricultural sciences areas of graduate education or the workforce. Also, Special Experiential Learning (SEL) opportunities to support eligible USDA Multicultural Scholars to conduct research or to undertake studies at sites within or outside of the United States. SEL awards for eligible USDA Multicultural Scholars will only be available as provided for within this announcement.

Contact Information

• Agency

  Department of Agriculture

• Office:

  National Institute of Food and Agriculture

• Agency Contact:

  NIFA Help Desk
  Phone: 202-401-5048
  Business hours are M-F, 7:00 am -5:00 pm ET, excluding Federal holidays
  

• Agency Mailing Address:

  If you have any questions related to preparing application content

• Agency Email Address:

  electronic@nifa.usda.gov

• More Information:

  Multicultural Scholars Program