FY26-1890-CBG-NOFO.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity 1890 Institution Teaching, Research, and

Extension Capacity Building Grants Program

FUNDING YEAR: Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 and 2027

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FY 2026: November 4, 2026 FY 2027: August 25, 2027

ANTICIPATED PROGRAM FUNDING: FY 2026: $56,000,000

FY 2027: $28,000,000

AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL AWARD

RANGE:

$50,000 - $750,000

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: USDA-NIFA-CBGP-011698

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 10.216

ANNOUNCEMENT

National Institute of Food and Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture

Assistance Listing Number (ALN): The 1890 Institution Teaching, Research, and Extension Capacity Building Grants (1890 CBG) Program is listed in the Assistance Listings under number 10.216.

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines

Task Description Deadline

Application: FY 2026: 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time, November 4, 2026 FY 2027: 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time, August 25, 2027 [Ref to Part I, B of this NOFO]

Applicants Comments: Within six months from the issuance of this notice (NIFA may not consider comments received after the sixth month)

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), to the extent permitted by law, will no longer make grants or otherwise fund programs or activities that improperly discriminate on the basis of race or sex, including discrimination in the name of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies. Instead, USDA will prioritize merit and efficiency. USDA recognizes programs and initiatives will have the greatest impact when these programs and initiatives put American farmers, ranchers, and foresters first by:

• solving the most pressing challenges they face;

• protecting America’s food, fuel, and fiber supply to enhance national security;

• supporting production of healthy and safe food for consumers;

• expanding and developing domestic markets;

• training the next generation of agriculturalists; and

• fueling innovation to keep American farmers at the forefront of productivity.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is committed to advancing these principles and encourages applicants to actively engage farmers, ranchers, and foresters when applying for funding opportunities to ensure relevancy and adherence to them. NIFA also encourages agricultural leaders to engage in the peer review panel process to ensure American producers are better served through research, education, and extension activities.

Projects submitted under this NOFO should align with USDA Secretary’s Memorandum 1078- 020 Directive on Departmental Research and Development Priorities:

1. Increasing Profitability of Farmers and Ranchers

2. Expanding Markets and Creating New Uses of U.S. Agricultural Products

3. Protecting the Integrity of American Agriculture from Invasive Species

4. Promoting Soil Health to Regenerate Long-Term Productivity of Land

5. Improving Human Health through Precision Nutrition and Food Quality https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sm-1078-020.pdf https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sm-1078-020.pdf

Stakeholder Input. NIFA seeks comments on all Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) so it can deliver programs efficiently, effectively, with integrity, and with a focus on customer service. NIFA considers comments to the extent possible when developing NOFOs and uses comments to help meet the requirements of Section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613(c)(2)). Applicants may submit written comments to Policy@usda.gov. Please use the following subject line: Response to the 1890 Institution Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program NOFO.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:7613%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section7613)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true mailto:Policy@usda.gov

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

NIFA requests applications for the 1890 CBG Program for FY 2026 and FY 2027 to strengthen education, research, and Extension capacity needed to advance fundamental sciences as well as applied research and development in support of food and agricultural sciences at the 1890 Land-grant Universities.

The amount available for grants in FY 2026 is approximately $56,000,000, which includes $28,000,000 from FY 2026 funding as well as $28,000,000 from FY 2025 funding. The anticipated program funding for FY 2027 is $28,000,000.

Eligible institutions may submit applications for up to sixteen Standard/Collaborative Grants, three Professional Development Grants, and one Workshop Grant per institution in FY 2026 and FY 2027. This notice identifies the objectives for 1890 CBG projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF KEY INFORMATION

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority B. Purpose and Priorities C. Program Area Description

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding B. Application Restrictions C. Project and Grant Types D. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements B. Cost Sharing or Matching

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application B. Content and Form of the Application C. Funding Restrictions

PART V. APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. NIFA’s Evaluation Process B. Evaluation Criteria C. Organizational Management Information D. Application Disposition

PART VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION

A. General B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements C. Expected Program Outputs and Reporting Requirements

PART VII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. Use of Funds and Changes in Budget B. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards C. Regulatory Information D. Language Access Services

APPENDIX I: AGENCY CONTACT

APPENDIX II: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

APPENDIX III: DEFINITIONS

TABLE OF KEY INFORMATION

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Table 2: Education Projects Key Information Table 3: Research Projects Key Information Table 4: Extension Projects Key Information Table 5: Integrated Projects Key Information Table 7. Steps to Obtain Application Materials Table 8: Help and Resources Table 9: Key Application Instructions

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority This program is authorized in 7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(4) and pursuant to annual appropriations made available specifically for the 1890 Capacity Building Program. Section 7107 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) (Pub. L. 110-246) amended the authority for the 1890 Capacity Building Grants Program to allow for Extension capacity building, as well as teaching and research.

B. Purpose and Priorities The 1890 CBG program, under Assistance Listing Number 10.216 is designed specifically to build the institutional teaching, research, and extension capacities of the eligible institutions through cooperative programs with Federal and non-Federal entities. The 1890 CBG Program supports Executive Order 14283, “White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU),” in order to foster excellence and innovation at HBCUs.

The 1890 CBG Program is designed to achieve three major goals:

1. Advance the professional workforce by attracting and educating students in the food and agricultural sciences

2. Strengthen linkages among the 1890 Universities, other colleges and universities, USDA, other Federal agencies, and private industry

3. Enhance and strengthen the quality of education, research, and Extension programs at the 1890 Universities to establish them as full partners in the U.S. food and agricultural sciences higher education system

1890 CBG Priority Areas (at least one of these priorities areas needs to be addressed)

1. Human health, nutrition security, obesity as it relates to nutrition, and human sciences

2. Rural communities for the 21st century (expanding opportunities for small businesses, small farms, and domestic markets)

3. Bioenergy/biofuel and natural resources

4. Strengthening agricultural systems

5. Production of healthy and safe food

6. Youth development

7. Water quality

8. Family and consumer sciences

9. Food security and agricultural biosecurity

10. Agriculture workforce development

11. Addressing emerging threats in agriculture

12. Other Areas in General Food & Agricultural Sciences - Projects in this area may not fit any of the priority areas listed 1-11, but address an emerging local, regional, or national issue.

Building Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) Capacity for Education, Research, and Extension at 1890 Institutions The 1890 CBG Program is seeking projects that provide significant education, research, and/or extension/outreach components using AI and ML in the food and agricultural sciences. Projects https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title7-section3152&num=0&saved=%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGU3LXNlY3Rpb24zMTUxYg%3D%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/pl110-246.pdf https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/pl110-246.pdf https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/28/2025-07380/white-house-initiative-to-promote-excellence-and-innovation-at-historically-black-colleges-and may include creating educator training opportunities, efforts that address research needs or outreach services that help to effectively integrate AI-based knowledge, tools, and modalities to benefit workforce development, farmers, ranchers, foresters or domestic markets.

Applicants are encouraged to develop projects that may include:

1. Equipping students with foundational knowledge and skills in AI

2. Preparing students and adult learners in Extension program to thrive in an increasingly digital society

3. Training programs that equip participants with essential skills and competencies in AI linked to program priority areas mentioned above

4. Supporting educators with tools and training is needed not only to train students about

AI, but also to use AI in their classrooms to improve educational outcomes.

5. Advancing research at 1890 universities in innovative agricultural technologies such as

AI, data science, robotics, and other cutting-edge digital tools to address emerging needs in US agriculture.

6. Implementing AI in Extension programming

Leadership Skills Development. The development of leadership skills, knowledge, and qualities are necessary to prepare students for agricultural and related careers in the private sector, government, and academia. 1890 CBG Program Education Projects must demonstrably incorporate a leadership development component to equip students with technical and leadership abilities upon graduation. Specific activities may include:

1. Developing practical applications to increase understanding of leadership roles, including critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills; ethics and professionalism;

and working in teams.

2. Connecting the academic classroom experience with daily leadership roles and organizational activities.

3. Providing opportunities for mentoring and shadowing; and

4. Organizing leadership academies, workshops, trainings, etc.

C. Program Area Description NIFA is soliciting applications under the following program areas:

1. Education

2. Research

3. Extension

Education Projects seek to:

1. Support projects to develop national workforce needs in food and agricultural sciences.

2. Support training and forums to enhance education in agriculture, food, nutrition, or forestry.

Table 2: Education Projects Key Information

Title Description Program Code: EP

Program Code Name: 1890 Capacity Building Grants Program

ALN: 10.216

Project Type: Education Project Grant Type: i. Standard Grant

ii. Collaborative Grant

iii. Professional Development Grant

iv. Workshop Grant

Application Deadline November 4, 2026, at 5:00 pm ET for FY August 25, 2027, at 5:00 pm ET for FY

Grant Duration: 12-36 Months Anticipated # of Awards: 17

Minimum Award Amount: $50,000 Maximum Award Amount: i. Standard: $300,000

ii. Collaborative: $500,000

iii. Professional Development: $150,000

iv. Workshop: $50,000

Research Projects seek to:

1. Support fundamental research activities impacting agriculture, food, nutrition, or forestry.

2. Support applied research that includes expansion of the findings of fundamental research to uncover practical and innovative ways in which new knowledge can be advanced to benefit farmers, ranchers and small and mid-sized farms.

Table 3: Research Projects Key Information

Title Description Program Code: EQ

Program Code Name: 1890 Capacity Building Grants Program

ALN: 10.216

Project Type: Research Project Grant Type: i. Standard Grant

ii. Collaborative Grant

iii. Professional Development Grant

iv. Workshop Grant

Application Deadline November 4, 2026, at 5:00 pm ET for FY August 25, 2027, at 5:00 pm ET for FY

Grant Duration: 12-36 Months Anticipated # of Awards: 30

Minimum Award Amount: $50,000 Maximum Award Amount: i. Standard: $400,000

ii. Collaborative: $500,000

iii. Professional Development: $150,000

iv. Workshop: $50,000

Extension Projects seek to:

1. Support projects that innovate instructional methodologies appropriate for informal educational programs in agriculture, food, nutrition, or forestry.

2. Support informal educational programs for farmers, ranchers, producers and small and mid-sized farms to help them make practical decisions.

Table 4: Extension Projects Key Information

Title Description Program Code: EWE

Program Code Name: 1890 Capacity Building Grants Program

ALN: 10.216

Project Type: Extension Project Grant Type: i. Standard Grant

ii. Collaborative Grant

iii. Professional Development Grant

iv. Workshop Grant

Application Deadline November 4, 2026, at 5:00 pm ET for FY August 25, 2027, at 5:00 pm ET for FY

Grant Duration: 12-36 Months Anticipated # of Awards: 17

Minimum Award Amount: $50,000 Maximum Award Amount: i. Standard: $300,000

ii. Collaborative: $500,000

iii. Professional Development: $150,000

iv. Workshop: $50,000

Integrated Projects seek to:

1. Promote profitability for farmers and ranchers or expanding market opportunities for US

Agricultural products.

2. Focus on a problem or issue through two of the three functions of the agricultural knowledge system (i.e., education, research, Extension).

Table 5: Integrated Projects Key Information

Title Description Program Code: EP/EQ/EWE

Program Code Name: 1890 Capacity Building Grants Program

ALN: 10.216

Project Type: Integrated Project* Grant Type: i. Standard Grant

ii. Collaborative Grant Application Deadline November 4, 2026, at 5:00 pm ET for FY

August 25, 2027, at 5:00 pm ET for FY

Grant Duration: 12-36 Months Anticipated # of Awards: 19

Maximum Award Amount: i. Standard: $600,000

ii. Collaborative: $750,000

*There is no program code specifically for integrated projects. Therefore, it is imperative that applicants clearly identify the primary project type in their project summary and select the corresponding program code for this area.

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding The amount available for the 1890 CBG Program in FY 2026 is approximately $56,000,000, which includes $28,000,000 from FY 2026 funding as well as $28,000,000 from FY 2025 funding. The anticipated amount available in FY 2027 is approximately $28,000,000. USDA is not committed to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards.

The Automated Standard Application for Payments, operated by the Department of Treasury, Bureau of Fiscal Service, is the designated payment system for awards resulting from this

NOFO.

B. Application Restrictions NIFA will evaluate applications using the criteria described in Part V of this NOFO.

Applications for FY 2026 and FY 2027 are limited to the following application types:

1. New application: New applications will be evaluated using the criteria described in Part V of this NOFO and are subject to the due dates herein (see Appendix III for definition).

2. Resubmitted application: Resubmitted applications must include the response to the previous review panel summary and are subject to the same criteria and due dates herein.

Resubmitted applicants must enter the NIFA-assigned proposal number of the previously submitted application in the Federal Field (Field 4) on the application form (see Appendix III for definition).

3. Renewal application. Renewal applications must contain the same information as required for new applications and must contain a progress report. The progress report must include the implementation of the data management plan (DMP) of the previously funded project. Renewal applications are subject to the same criteria and due dates herein. Applicants submitting a renewal application must enter the NIFA-assigned proposal number of the previously approved application in the Federal Field (Field 4) on the application form (see Appendix III for definition).

The maximum number of applications allowed per institution are:

1. Standard/Collaborative Grants: 16

2. Professional Development Grants: 3

3. Workshop Grants: 1

The maximum number of awards vary by Project Type:

1. Standard/Collaborative Grants: No limit, but institutions cannot receive more than 10% of available funds

2. Professional Development Grants: One award per faculty member

3. Workshop Grants: One award per institution

C. Project and Grant Types The following describes the types of projects or grants that are eligible for funding:

1. Project Types. Applicants must propose one of the following Project Types:

a. Education Projects

Single-function Education Projects should develop human capital to help meet current and future national food and agricultural sciences workforce needs. Examples of https://fiscal.treasury.gov/payments-from-government/automated-standard-application-for-payments-asap relevant activities under this Project Type include (but are not limited to): formal classroom instruction, laboratory instruction, and practicum experience, as well as faculty development, student recruitment and services, curriculum development, instructional materials and equipment, innovative teaching methodologies, and workshops that support trainings and forums to enhance educational or teaching need areas.

Need areas Education projects must demonstrate how the chosen Priority Area is addressed when selecting one of the following education need areas.

(1) Curricula Design and Materials Development

This Need Area promotes developing new (or adapting existing) curricula and related materials to meet changes anticipated within the food and agricultural sciences. Projects must be integrated and multidisciplinary and use learner-centered instruction that demonstrates an improvement in teaching and student learning towards core course objectives. Applicants are expected to demonstrate how the project will reach large audiences efficiently, demonstrate that outcomes are scalable or measurable; and provide hands-on learning experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom, reinforce recent research on how to motivate students to learn, retain, apply, and transfer knowledge, skills, and competencies, integrate and synthesize knowledge, and work collaboratively in teams.

(2) Faculty Preparation and Enhancement for Education This Need Area is intended to enhance training to address emerging student needs (learning styles, digital applicability), improve teaching competency (subject matter expertise and pedagogy), or develop student recruitment, retention, and advising skills (career opportunities in emerging agricultural sciences fields).

Training of targeted faculty recipient(s) must be intentional and relevant to the identified educational needs of the students, who will be the beneficiaries of such faculty development.

(3) Scientific Instrumentation for Teaching This Need Area provides students with the necessary experience using suitable, up-to-date equipment to involve them in work central to understanding advances in the food and agricultural sciences and to prepare them for work or further graduate/professional training. Additionally, this Need Area will support the acquisition of instructional laboratory and classroom equipment.

(4) Student Experiential Learning This Need Area encourages the development of new student learning opportunities where students are placed in team-oriented, problem-solving, and decision-making situations in the context of real-world experiences. Experiential learning through laboratory research or other internships with business and industry, community organizations, Federal agencies, and other domains that provide knowledge and skills for graduate study are desired.

(5) Student Recruitment and Retention This Need Area aims to enhance student recruitment and retention programs to strengthen the Nation's scientific and professional workforce. Recruitment and retention efforts should be summarized quantitatively (i.e., numbers of students recruited as compared to those contacted) and qualitatively (i.e., lessons learned that improve future recruitment strategies). Students receiving tuition benefits or educational costs from the award are limited to U.S. citizens, nationals or permanent residents as defined in Appendix III.

Education Discipline Codes Applicants must identify a primary discipline code and may identify one additional discipline code that categorizes the project in the cover page. At review, each application is evaluated by three peer reviewers. The discipline codes selected by the applicants are used to match reviewers’ education and expertise to the applications.

T1: Agribusiness Management & Marketing T2: Agricultural Engineering T3: Animal Sciences T4: Aquaculture T5: Data Science T6: Entomology T7: Environmental Science & Natural Resource Conservation T8: Food Science/Technology/Food Waste T9: General Agricultural Science T10: Human Sciences T11: Human Nutrition T12: Plant Sciences T13: Related Biological Sciences T14: Rural Development/Social Sciences T15: Veterinary Science T16: Other Education Areas

b. Research projects

Single-function Research Projects support fundamental or applied research conducted by individual investigators, co-investigators within the same discipline, or multidisciplinary teams. The following must be considered when developing Research Projects:

• Fundamental research means research that: increases knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and has the potential for broad application and impacts agriculture, food, or nutrition.

• Applied research means research that includes expansion of the findings of fundamental research to uncover practical and innovative ways in which new knowledge can be advanced to benefit individuals and society.

• Multidisciplinary projects are those in which investigators from two or more disciplines collaborate closely to address a common problem. These collaborations, where appropriate, may integrate the biological, physical, chemical, or social sciences.

Need Areas Research projects must demonstrate how the chosen Priority Area is addressed when selecting one of the following research need areas.

(1) Studies and Experimentation in Food and Agricultural Sciences The purpose of this Need Area is to advance the body of knowledge in basic and applied food and agricultural sciences, in food production systems, forestry systems, and managed rangelands. Projects addressing this Need Area are encouraged to focus on multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research activities addressing critical issues rather than single discipline-specific research studies.

(2) Centralized Research Support Systems The purpose of this Need Area is to establish centralized research support systems that:

Meet national needs or serve regions or 1890 university clientele that cannot otherwise afford or do not have access to such support

(a) Provide research support more economically, thereby freeing up resources for other research uses; applicants must demonstrate how the chosen Priority Area is addressed when selecting this Need Area

(b) Provide suitable equipment to involve in research-related activities

Research Discipline Codes Applicants must identify a primary discipline code and may identify one additional discipline code that categorizes the project in the cover page. During review, each application is evaluated by three peer reviewers. The discipline codes selected by the applicants are used to match reviewers’ education and expertise to the applications.

R1: Agribusiness Management & Marketing R2: Agricultural Engineering R3: General Agricultural Sciences R4: Animal Sciences R5: Aquaculture R6: Natural Resource Conservation R7: Data Science R8: Entomology R10: Food Science/Technology/Food Waste R11: Human Nutrition R12: Plant Sciences R13: Related Biological Sciences R14: Soil Sciences R15: Human Sciences R16: Rural Development/Social Sciences R17: Veterinary Science R18: Other Research Areas

c. Extension Projects Single-function Extension Projects conduct programs and activities that deliver science-based knowledge and informal educational programs to farmers, ranchers, producers and small and mid-sized farmers enabling them to make practical decisions. Program delivery may range from community-based to national audiences and may use communication methods including face- to-face, electronic, or combinations thereof. Extension Projects may also include related activities such as workshop grants, certification programs, in-service training, client recruitment and services, curriculum development, instructional materials and equipment, and innovative instructional methodologies appropriate for informal educational programs. These projects must lead to measurable, documented changes in learning, actions, or conditions in an identified audience or stakeholder group. These projects must also synthesize and incorporate a wide range of the latest relevant research results.

Need Areas Extension projects must demonstrate how the chosen Priority Area is addressed when selecting one of the following extension.

(1) Extension Program Development Support Systems

The purpose of this Need Area is to increase the quality of Extension programming through training for Cooperative Extension Service specialists, educators, paraprofessionals, technicians, and volunteers. The training may focus on professional development, leadership development, collaborative research development, application of the Extension program development model, development of train-the-trainer models, volunteer development, and/or volunteer delivery systems. This Need Area will also support program accountability systems that enhance the expertise and tools available to effectively report impacts and evaluate Extension programs, ultimately enabling the delivery of more effective systems.

(2) Extension Technology Upgrades The purpose of this Need Area is to provide funds to upgrade traditional equipment and instruments, establish mobile delivery systems (e.g., laboratories and food safety kitchens), and support emerging delivery technologies (e.g., IT applications such as distance education, web conferencing, podcasting, and social media interfaces).

(3) Extension Delivery/Methodology The purpose of this Need Area is to develop effective methodologies, strategies, or delivery systems to enhance services including developing new or modifying existing curricula; establishing program centers, experiential learning programs, or after-school programs; and utilizing research results to strengthen community-based programs. Outreach to develop new or improve existing curriculum with agricultural organizations such as 4H, Future Farmers of America, Ag in the Classroom, etc. are encouraged.

(4) Other Extension Initiatives The purpose of this Need Area is to support projects that may not fit the Need Areas above, but are creative initiatives designed to provide enhancement of the institutions’ Extension capacity.

Extension Discipline Codes Applicants must identify a primary discipline code and may identify one additional discipline code that categorizes the project in the cover page. During review, each application is evaluated by three peer reviewers. The discipline codes selected by the applicants are used to match reviewers’ education and expertise to the applications.

E1: 4-H and Youth Development E2: Agriculture E3: Leadership Development E4: Natural Resources E5: Family and Consumer Sciences E6: Community Economic Development E7: Rural Development/Social Sciences E8: Other Extension Areas

d. Integrated Projects An Integrated Project must include at least two of the three functions of the agricultural knowledge system (i.e., education, research, Extension). Projects should promote profitability of farmers and ranchers; expand market opportunities for U.S.

agricultural products; address precision nutrition; or other USDA priorities. The project must name one of the project types (education, research, or Extension) as the primary project type as well as any related discipline code(s). The primary project type is defined as the area that will receive most of the funding (up to two-thirds of the total funding). There is no program code for the Integrated Project. Therefore, it is imperative that applicants clearly identify the primary project type in their project summary and select the appropriate program code for this area.

The functions addressed in the project must be focused on a problem or issue and be interwoven throughout the life of the project to complement and reinforce one another. The functions must be interdependent and necessary for the success of the project, and no more than two-thirds of the project’s budget may be focused on a single component. Integrated Projects must include individuals on the project team with significant expertise in each component of the project (education, research, and/or Extension). Integrated Projects may be submitted by a single eligible institution, where the expertise for all areas (education, research, and/or Extension) are within the Project Director’s (PD) institution, or multi-institutions, where the expertise for one or two of the areas is from another institution(s).

For additional information on Integrated Projects, see Integrated Programs Application Information. Applicants are also encouraged to contact the Program Contact to discuss the anticipated project parameters and outcomes to ensure the application content appropriately meets the requirements of an Integrated Project.

2. Grant Types

Applicants must select the appropriate grant type:

a. Standard Grant

A Standard Grant is an award instrument by which NIFA agrees to support a specified level of effort for a predetermined project period without the announced intention of providing additional support at a future date. Standard Grants support targeted original scientific education, research, Extension, or integrated projects.

An eligible, individual institution, independent branch campus, or branch https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/integrated-programs-application-information https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/integrated-programs-application-information institution of a State system may submit a grant application for project activities to be undertaken principally on behalf of its own students or faculty, and to be managed primarily by its own personnel. The project is to be executed, without the requirement of sharing grant funds with other project partners (subaward budgets are not allowable). Applications for Standard Grants must address local or regional problems or opportunities in one of the listed Priority Areas (Part I, 1890 CBG Priority Areas). The application must have the potential to encourage regional or national program delivery in one of the selected Priority Areas. A PD may receive only one new award as the lead individual in a Need Area that focuses on a single subject or discipline. Funds do not have to be equally divided among project years.

b. Collaborative Grant Collaborative Grants support projects with at least one additional partner or a multi-partner approach to enhance education, research, and Extension programs.

Collaborative Grants should build linkages to generate a critical mass of expertise, skill, and technology to address programs related to the food and agricultural sciences (applicants should address one of the listed Priority Areas (Part I, 1890 CBG Priority Areas). Projects should be multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary and address issues at the local, state, regional, and/or national level(s). Grants can reduce duplication of efforts and/or build capacity and should be organized and led by a strong PD with documented project management knowledge and skills to organize and carry out the initiative. Collaborative Grants are expected to be larger than Standard rants (refer to Part I, Maximum Request Allocation for the maximum fund amounts). The partners must share grant funds, and no more than 50 percent of the total dollars of this award may be subcontracted to another party(is).

c. Professional Development Grant Professional Development Grants are intended to provide an opportunity for individual faculty members (i.e., each award is to support one faculty member at the applicant university) to enhance the quality of their education, research, and/or Extension work. Examples of projects addressing this area include, but are not limited to:

(1) Gaining experience with recent developments or innovative technology relevant to their professional responsibilities

(2) Working under the guidance and direction of experts who have substantial expertise in an area related to project/career goals

(3) Working with professionals or peers in government, industry, or colleges or universities to learn new applications and enhance networks within a field

(4) Expanding competence with new methods of information delivery related to education and Extension

Professional Development projects that support education, research, and/or Extension faculty may include approaches such as:

1. Sabbaticals

2. Mini sabbaticals for short-term training

3. Faculty exchanges

4. Continuing education

The training must address critical U.S. food and agricultural sciences issues at the local, state, regional, and national level(s). The project should align with the university’s strategic plan for food and agricultural sciences. Projects should also address one or more of the 1890 CBG Program priority areas identified in Part I, 1890 CBG Priority Areas.

Funds may be used for salary and benefits (up to one year), travel, supplies, and training/course fees. Funds will not be awarded to support activities in fulfillment of degree requirements or travel to make presentations at conferences or meetings.

d. Workshop Grant Workshop Grants support efforts to gather subject matter experts to identify research, education and/or Extension needs to prepare outcomes such as white papers, scientific assessment, grant proposals, etc. They can support trainings and forums to enhance research need areas. Projects may involve any type of workshop, education, or training of students or other individuals including K-12 students, educators, professionals, farmers, ranchers, or any other individual receiving any type of formal or nonformal training on the proposed project.

Workshop Grants must develop activities and programing that bring stakeholders together to discuss, coordinate, and advance innovations or provide training in areas supportive of food and agriculture-related disciplines and workforce development. Activities should be interactive learning sessions with the goal of producing collaborative results including collective skill enhancement. NIFA will not fund Workshop Grants with the sole purpose of supporting travel and subsistence to attend or sponsorship of conferences. Workshop proposals that solely support existing conferences will be returned without review.

D. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects In accordance with sections 2, 3, and 8 of 2 CFR Part 422, institutions that conduct USDA-funded extramural research must foster an atmosphere conducive to research integrity, bear primary responsibility for prevention and detection of research misconduct, and maintain and effectively communicate and train their staff regarding policies and procedures. In the event an application to NIFA results in an award, the Authorized Representative (AR) assures, through acceptance of the award, that the institution will comply with the above requirements. Award recipients must, upon request, make available to NIFA the policies, procedures, and documentation to support the conduct of the training. See Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research for further information.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=3f96ab05cf1fc2d2713e5e46755e7696&mc=true&node=pt2.1.422&rgn=div5#se2.1.422_12 https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements Applicants for the 1890 CBG Program must meet all the requirements discussed in this NOFO.

Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s About Grants provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

Applications may only be submitted by eligible 1890 Land-grant Universities (7 U.S.C.

3152(d)(2)).

The eligible institutions are:

1. Alabama A&M University

2. Alcorn State University

3. Central State University

4. Delaware State University

5. Florida A&M University

6. Fort Valley State University

7. Kentucky State University

8. Langston University

9. Lincoln University (MO)

10. North Carolina A&T State University

11. Prairie View A&M University

12. South Carolina State University

13. Southern University and A&M College

14. Tennessee State University

15. Tuskegee University

16. University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff

17. University of Maryland-Eastern Shore

18. Virginia State University

19. West Virginia State University

Faculty may not serve as PD on more than two active 1890 CBG projects. If an applicant has two active projects, at least one project must be scheduled to expire by the end of the current fiscal year. Faculty may submit multiple applications for Standard and/or Collaborative Grants as the lead PD to the 1890 CBG Program in FYs 2026 and 2027. Additionally, there is no limit on the number of grants for which faculty may be listed as co-PD or key personnel.

All Collaborative or Integrated Education, Research, and Extension Projects may subcontract, as deemed appropriate, to organizations not eligible to apply, provided such organizations are necessary to conduct a successful project. The subcontract must advance capacity building at the 1890 LGU in the area of the proposed project.

USDA will not accept competitive applications for grant and cooperative agreements submitted for dangerous gain-of-function research, as defined in Section 8 of E.O. 14292.

https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:3152%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section3152)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:3152%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section3152)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/05/08/2025-08266/improving-the-safety-and-security-of-biological-research

Duplicate or Multiple Submissions – Submissions of duplicate or predominantly overlapping projects are not allowed. An eligible applicant may submit multiple applications on behalf of the institution whereas they are not essentially duplications of the same project or portions of the same project to multiple programs.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching No Match Required - The 1890 CBG Program has no matching requirement. NIFA will not factor matching resources into the review process as an evaluation criterion. While not required, cost share is encouraged.

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application Applicants must apply to this NOFO electronically; no other method or response is accepted.

The electronic application for this NOFO and additional resources are available on Grants.gov and Grants 101. Table 7 provides instructions on how to obtain an electronic application. Part III of the NIFA Grants Application Guide contains detailed information regarding the Grants.gov registration process. The NIFA Grants Application Guide is contained in the specific funding opportunity package or a sample of the guide can be found here. When applying for a NIFA award, it is important to reference the version of the guide that is included in the specific funding opportunity application package.

Table 6. Steps to Obtain Application Materials Steps Action

Step One: Register New Users to Grants.gov must register early with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application.

Step Two:

Download Adobe

Download and Install Adobe Reader (see Adobe Software Compatibility for basic system requirements).

Step Three: Find Application

Using this funding opportunity number USDA-NIFA-CBGP-011698, search for application here: Opportunity Package.

Step Four: Assess Readiness

Contact an AR prior to starting an application to assess the organization’s readiness to submit an electronic application.

Table 7: Help and Resources

Grants.gov Support NIFA Support Grants.gov Online Support Telephone support: 800-518-4726 Toll-Free or 606-545-5035

Email support: support@grants.gov Self-service customer-based support: Grants.gov iPortal

Customer service business Hours 24/7, except Federal holidays.

Email:

grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov

Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except Federal holidays.

B. Content and Form of the Application The NIFA Grants Application Guide is part of the corresponding application package for this NOFO. The NOFO overrides the NIFA Grants Application Guide if there is a discrepancy between the two documents. Applicants that do not meet the application requirements, to include partial applications, risk being excluded from NIFA’s review. NIFA will assign a proposal number to all applications that meet the requirements of this NOFO. Applicants must refer to the proposal number when corresponding with NIFA. Table 9 outlines other key instructions for applicants.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/learn-grants/grants-101/ https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://get.adobe.com/reader/ https://www.grants.gov/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://grants.gov/applicants/search-for-opportunity-package https://www.grants.gov/support https://www.grants.gov/support mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/ mailto:grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/ https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide

Table 8: Key Application Instructions Instruction References

(All references are to the NIFA Grants Application Guide)

Attachments must be in a portable document format (PDF) format.

Part IV

Check the manifest of submitted files to verify attachments are in the correct format.

Part IV

Conduct an administrative review of the application before submission.

Part IV

Follow the submission instructions. Part IV

Provide an accurate email address, where designated, on the

SF-424 R&R.

Part V

Contact the Grants.gov helpdesk for technical support and keep a record of the correspondence.

N/A

Contact NIFA if applicant does not receive correspondence from NIFA regarding an application within 30 days of the application deadline.

N/A

We recommend that you conduct an administrative review of the application before submission of it via Grants.gov to ensure that it complies with all preparation instructions.

Check the application for completeness. The application should be checked for the following required items, which must include:

1. Project Summary/Abstract

2. Project Narrative

3. Data Management Plan (if applicable)

4. Accomplishment Report of Previously Funded Projects (if applicable)

5. Collaborative Arrangement Letter(s) (if applicable)

6. Institution/School/Department Goals and Objectives

7. Logic Model (if applicable)

8. References Cited

9. Mentoring Plan (if applicable).

10. Curriculum Vitae

11. Current and Pending

12. Conflict of Interest

13. Budget

14. Budget Justification

This is not an exhaustive list of required items; it only serves to highlight items that may be overlooked. Refer to the NIFA Grants Application Guide for additional information. Failure to include any of the three critical required documents of Project Summary/Abstract, Project https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/support

Narrative, or Budget and Budget Justification as PDF attachment will result in the application not being reviewed or considered for funding by NIFA.

SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for the required certifications and assurances.

SF 424 R&R Project/Performance Site Location(s). See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

R&R Other Project Information Form. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

1. Field 7. Project Summary (PS)/Abstract. The PS must show how the project goals align with the project goals of the 1890 CBG Program. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for instructions and suggested templates.

2. Field 8. Project Narrative (PN).

For Standard and Collaborative Grant, the PN must not exceed 18 pages (1.5-spaced, 1-inch margins), including figures and tables. The font size for the PN and tables should be no smaller than 11 points, Times New Roman.

For Professional Development Grant and Workshop Grant applications, the PN must not exceed 8 pages (1.5-spaced, 1-inch margins), including figures and tables. The font size for the PN and tables should be no smaller than 11 points, Times New Roman.

Proposals with project narratives that exceed the page limit requirement will be returned without review.

Applicants must address all components of the Evaluation Criteria in their Project Narrative (see Part V, B).

Project Narrative All applicants should arrange their narrative in the following order:

Cover Page. The cover page is required, does not count toward the page limit of the Project Narrative, and should include the following:

a. Type of Application (see Part II, Application Restrictions)

b. Project Type (see Part II, Project and Grant Types)

c. Grant Type (see Part II, Project and Grant Types)

d. Need Area Addressed (see Part II, Project and Grant Types)

e. Program Code (see Part I, Capacity Building Grants Program Key Information)

For Integrated Projects, only list the program code for the primary component. For example, if the primary component of an Integrated Project is Research, then the applicant must indicate “EQ” as the program code.

f. Primary 1890 CBG Priority Areas (see Part I, 1890 CBG Priority Areas)

g. Discipline Code (see Part II, Discipline Codes)

Table of Contents A table of contents is encouraged in the Project Narrative and will not count toward the page limit.

https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide

Response to Previous Review (if applicable) The response to previous review must not exceed 2 (1.5 spaced, 1-inch margins) pages. The font size should be no smaller than 11 points, Times New Roman. The response to previous review does not count toward the page limit of the Project Narrative and is only required for resubmitted applications.

Progress Report (if applicable) This requirement only applies to Renewal applications (see Part II, B.). These applications must include a progress report within the applicable page limit of the Project Narrative.

Standard and Collaborative Grants To facilitate proposal review and evaluation, the applicant must include the following headings in the Project Narrative (A. through D.).

a. Potential for Building and Strengthening Capacity and Advancing the Quality of

Education, Research, or Extension

(1) Significance of the Problem and Opportunity. Clearly state the specific education, research, or Extension problem or opportunity to be addressed and the connection(s) with the institutional goals, strategic plan, or Plan of Work.

(2) Project Justification. Summarize the body of knowledge justifying the need for the proposed project using graphical and tabulated format when possible. Discuss how the project will be of value at the local, state, regional, or national level(s).

Describe any ongoing or recently completed significant activities related to the proposed project for which previous funding was received under this program or other funding programs (including projects supported under the NIFA 1890 Facilities Grants Program and 1890 Formula Programs).

(3) Impact on Building and Strengthening Capacity. Describe the institution's capability to perform the project and the degree to which the project will enhance its education, research, or Extension capacity. Include a description of baseline information/preliminary data. Additionally, include the project’s potential for adoption by other institutions.

(4) Continuation Plans. Describe specific plans for continuation or expansion of the project beyond the period of USDA support.