Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) | USDA NIFA HEMS 006391

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 006391

The Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) is a competitive scholarship grant opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Its central goal is to strengthen the nation s food and agricultural workforce by increasing multicultural diversity among students who are preparing for scientific and professional careers in food and agricultural fields. At the same time, the program is meant to support broader educational attainment by investing in undergraduate (and in some cases D.V.M.) training pathways at colleges and universities that can successfully educate and graduate students into these disciplines.

Funding is awarded to institutions, not directly to individual students. Colleges and universities compete for grant funding and then use those grant funds to provide scholarships and related training support to MSP Scholars. The program is authorized under section 1417 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA), which frames the program as a federal effort to build capacity and representation in agriculture-related education and careers.

Eligible applicants fall into three main categories. First are land-grant institutions. Second are colleges and universities with significant minority enrollments that can clearly demonstrate they have the capacity to teach food and agricultural sciences. Third are other colleges and universities that can likewise demonstrate the ability to deliver education in food and agricultural sciences. A key eligibility detail is that applicants should be institutions that confer an undergraduate degree or a D.V.M. degree in at least one discipline within the food and agricultural sciences. In addition, research foundations that are maintained by an eligible college or university are allowed to apply under this request for applications, specifically to submit undergraduate and or D.V.M. training proposals, which gives institutions some flexibility in how they structure their submitting entity.

The opportunity also addresses transfer pathways from two-year colleges. Students enrolled at legally authorized two-year institutions can receive MSP scholarships, but only when there is a formal partnership in place (such as an articulation agreement, bridging agreement, or another documented collaborative arrangement) between the two-year college and an eligible four-year institution. In these cases, the four-year baccalaureate-level institution must be the official applicant and grant recipient. The expectation is that MSP Scholars who start at a two-year college will transfer to the partner four-year institution and complete their bachelor s degree there, reinforcing the program s focus on degree completion and workforce entry.

While only eligible institutions may apply, award recipients are allowed to subcontract parts of the project to organizations that are not themselves eligible applicants, as long as those partners are necessary to carry out the proposed project. This can support activities like student support services, experiential learning components, or specialized training arrangements, provided the lead institution remains responsible for the grant.

The notice emphasizes that eligibility requirements are strict. If an applicant fails to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline, the application may be excluded from consideration outright. Even if such an application is reviewed, NIFA can still be prevented from making an award due to eligibility noncompliance. This places added importance on institutions confirming their status, degree offerings, and partnership documentation (for any two-year transfer arrangements) before submission.

Administrative details included with the listing identify it as a discretionary grant opportunity administered by USDA NIFA, cataloged under CFDA number 10.220, with the funding opportunity number USDA NIFA HEMS 006391. The original closing date shown is 2017-10-31, indicating the specific posting referenced is tied to that cycle, even though the program concept may recur in later years under updated announcements.

• The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.220.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-09-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-10-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 006391

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