Student Internship Programs

The Department of Agriculture administers the Student Internship Programs (CFDA 10.467), which funds internship coordination and placement activities within USDA, with the most recent grant awards dated through 2024. The program is structured as cooperative agreements and provides internship opportunities for students pursuing agriculture, food, natural resources, science, engineering, health, and related disciplines, with emphasis on students at Minority-Serving Institutions and those from historically underserved communities.

Funded activities include student recruitment, travel coordination to Washington, District of Columbia and agency field locations, housing provision when required, and all coordination activities associated with student work assignments within USDA departments. Eligible applicants are community-based organizations, networks, or coalitions of community-based organizations that have demonstrated experience providing agricultural education or agriculturally related services to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and veteran farmers or ranchers, with documentary evidence of such work during the three-year period preceding application submission. Applicant organizations must not engage in activities prohibited under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The source does not provide award portfolio data, recent grant award examples, award magnitudes, or information on current open grant opportunities. Program awards are subject to annual appropriations. Recipients must maintain separate records for each award for a minimum of three years and retain records beyond that period if litigation is pending or audit findings remain unresolved.

The program's eligibility constraints and narrow focus on internship coordination through cooperative agreements with community-based organizations serving specific farmer demographics suggest a limited applicant pool. Organizations considering pursuit should verify current solicitation status with USDA headquarters or regional offices and confirm their eligibility under the three-year prior-service requirement before investing in application preparation.