Federal Grant Award Summary

Delaware State University received a $749,999 Project Grant 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), awarded February 1, 2026, with a completion date of January 31, 2029. The award supports workforce development initiatives designed to address agricultural and food security challenges through science-driven approaches and advanced technologies including artificial intelligence and remote sensing.

The project delivers four primary educational products and services: (1) an 8-week Paid Extension Scholar Program (ESP) providing experiential learning and extension-based applied research opportunities to 30 undergraduate students; (2) a student cohort program offering career and leadership development training with a 10-week Extension Scholar Program (SSP) providing 3-credit academic recognition and an 8-week internship component; (3) an international experience partnership with the University of Belize to expose students to global agriculture; and (4) hands-on outreach and engagement activities targeting middle and high school youth to introduce them to Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences (FANH) careers. The initiative is projected to reach over 500 middle and high school students and 45 undergraduate/high school extension scholars, with the ultimate outcome of increasing skilled workforce recruitment, retention, and graduation rates in FANH disciplines through cooperative extension programs and applied research activities.