Federal Grant Award Summary

Alabama A&M University received a $400,000 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the 1890 Institution Capacity Building Grants Program (CFDA 10.216), effective February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2028. The Upward Alabama Phase II project expands workforce development and entrepreneurship initiatives across all 67 counties in Alabama, building upon successful implementation in Madison, Jefferson, Montgomery, and Mobile counties. The project delivers two primary pathways for upward mobility: the Go-Getter Workforce Pathway, which connects hard-to-reach populations with new partners to develop supportive career ecosystems and workforce preparation training, and a Mobile Virtual Reality Lab that provides education, certification preparation, and career development resources with emphasis on Alabama's food and agriculture sectors.

The initiative supports the White House's priority to enhance workforce preparation and educational excellence at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). By leveraging evidence-based research and virtual reality technology, the project addresses critical gaps in career readiness and access to industry-specific training across underserved communities throughout Alabama. The Mobile Virtual Reality Lab component specifically targets the food and agriculture industries, aligning with NIFA's strategic focus on food security and agricultural innovation while improving employment outcomes for populations facing barriers to traditional workforce development pathways.