Grant Announcement – Department of Agricultural Workforce Training Grant Programs

The Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced the availability of $29 million in grant funding for their Education and Workforce Program (EWP), which includes the Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy and Agricultural Workforce Training Grants.

These programs, listed in more detail below, offer eligible institutions grants for professional development opportunities, in order to provide K-14 educators an increased awareness of food and agricultural science disciplines and career opportunities, and to help them develop an enriched curriculum for training the next generation of the agricultural workforce.

Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy Grant program: Participants are expected to develop skills necessary for integrating food and agricultural science concepts in their classes; explore the opportunities available in food and agricultural science career paths; and/or forge mentorships with professional and business leaders, and faculty. Grants can be for up to $300,000 for four-year projects. Deadline for submitting an application is June 13, 2019.

Agricultural Workforce Training Grant program: The goal is to expand job-based, experiential learning opportunities that lead to the development of the food and agricultural science workforce through curriculum development at community, junior, and technical colleges/institutes. Grants can be awarded for up to $500,000. Deadline for the Letter of Intent is June 11, 2019, and the application deadline is Aug. 22, 2019.

Institutions who are eligible to apply and receive grant funding under these programs include, but are not limited to land-grant institutions, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, individuals, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS status, private institutions of higher ed, small businesses, state agricultural experiment stations, and state controlled institutions of higher ed.

For more information on the grants and submission details, please visit the grant announcement page on NIFA’s website.

Comments

[Simon Kiplangat Bett]

This is good news. Food security is very important for sustainable development