Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AHSI 011902
The Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 10.228. Its core purpose is to promote and strengthen the capacity of Alaska Native-serving Institutions (ANSIs) and Native Hawaiian-serving Institutions (NHSIs) to design and deliver education, applied research, and related community development efforts. The program is intentionally flexible in terms of topic selection, because NIFA expects each institution to identify and prioritize its own educational needs within a broad umbrella that includes food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (often referred to as FANH). In practical terms, the grant is meant to help eligible institutions build or expand programs that support students and communities through academic instruction, hands-on learning, workforce preparation, and solutions-oriented applied work connected to agriculture and community well-being.
Eligibility is limited and defined by federal statute. Applicants must be public or private, nonprofit institutions of higher education that meet the statutory definitions of an Alaska Native-serving institution or a Native Hawaiian-serving institution established in Title III, Part A of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1059d). The notice emphasizes that applicants must satisfy every eligibility and application requirement in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) by the deadline; missing eligibility criteria can lead to the application being ruled ineligible or otherwise excluded from consideration, and can prevent NIFA from making an award even if the project is strong. The program materials also point newer applicants to NIFA resources (such as its "About Grants" information) to help organizations understand federal financial assistance expectations, compliance basics, and the overall federal award process.
The opportunity recognizes that many qualifying institutions operate within larger systems or across multiple campuses, and it clarifies how those structures can apply. Separately accredited degree-granting branch institutions that are part of a state university system or a public system of higher education are treated as distinct institutions for purposes of this program, meaning they can apply and receive awards as long as they independently meet the ANSI or NHSI definition. Similarly, an independent branch campus of an otherwise eligible institution can apply on its own if it qualifies under the program rules. The NOFO defines an "independent branch campus" as a permanent campus located apart from the main campus that offers for-credit coursework and degree programs leading to an associate or bachelor's degree, and that operates with meaningful autonomy, including its own faculty and administrative structure as well as its own budgetary and hiring authority.
Beyond single-institution projects, NIFA also allows collaborative approaches. Two or more eligible institutions, eligible independent branch campuses, or eligible branch institutions within a state system may form a collaboration to carry out education, applied research, and Extension/outreach activities in FANH. These collaborative arrangements may also include additional partners, such as state government units and private sector entities, alongside the eligible higher education institutions. The NOFO further indicates that an existing collaboration that includes at least two eligible institutional participants, and that can show both capability (its ability to carry out allowable activities) and commitment to the program goals, may apply for and receive a Collaboration grant.
Key administrative details provided in the source data include the funding opportunity title and number (USDA NIFA AHSI 011902), the awarding agency (USDA NIFA), the funding instrument (grant), and the program’s classification as discretionary funding within the agriculture activity category. The closing date listed is June 16, 2026. The award ceiling is $1,500,000, and NIFA expects to make about 15 awards under this announcement.Apply for USDA NIFA AHSI 011902
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.228.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-16. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to promote and strengthen the capacity of Alaska Native-serving Institutions (ANSIs) and Native Hawaiian-serving Institutions (NHSIs) to design and deliver education, applied research, and related community development efforts.
Which federal program listing (CFDA/Assistance Listing) does this opportunity fall under?
This opportunity is under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 10.228.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number provided is USDA NIFA AHSI 011902.
Who is the awarding agency?
The awarding agency is the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What type of funding instrument is being offered?
The funding instrument is a grant.
Is this a discretionary or formula funding program?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The core purpose is to strengthen eligible institutions so they can better design and deliver education, applied research, and related community development work.
What subject areas or topic areas can projects cover?
The program is intentionally flexible in topic selection. Projects are expected to fit under the broad umbrella of food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH), with each institution identifying and prioritizing its own educational needs within that umbrella.
What kinds of activities does NIFA expect projects to support in practical terms?
In practical terms, the grant is meant to help eligible institutions build or expand programs that support students and communities through academic instruction, hands-on learning, workforce preparation, and solutions-oriented applied work connected to agriculture and community well-being.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited by federal statute. Applicants must be public or private, nonprofit institutions of higher education that meet the statutory definitions of an Alaska Native-serving institution or a Native Hawaiian-serving institution established in Title III, Part A of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1059d).
Where do the statutory definitions for ANSI and NHSI come from?
The statutory definitions referenced in the opportunity come from Title III, Part A of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. 1059d).
Can a campus that is part of a larger university system apply as its own institution?
Yes. Separately accredited degree-granting branch institutions that are part of a state university system or a public system of higher education are treated as distinct institutions for purposes of this program, meaning they can apply and receive awards if they independently meet the ANSI or NHSI definition.
Can an independent branch campus of an eligible institution apply on its own?
Yes. An independent branch campus of an otherwise eligible institution can apply on its own if it qualifies under the program rules.
How does the NOFO define an "independent branch campus" for this program?
The NOFO defines an independent branch campus as a permanent campus located apart from the main campus that offers for-credit coursework and degree programs leading to an associate or bachelor's degree, and that operates with meaningful autonomy. This autonomy includes having its own faculty and administrative structure as well as its own budgetary and hiring authority.
Are collaborative applications allowed?
Yes. Two or more eligible institutions, eligible independent branch campuses, or eligible branch institutions within a state system may form a collaboration to carry out education, applied research, and Extension/outreach activities in FANH.
Can collaborators include partners that are not eligible institutions of higher education?
Yes. Collaborative arrangements may also include additional partners, such as state government units and private sector entities, alongside the eligible higher education institutions.
Can an existing collaboration apply for funding?
Yes. An existing collaboration that includes at least two eligible institutional participants, and that can show both capability (its ability to carry out allowable activities) and commitment to the program goals, may apply for and receive a Collaboration grant.
What does the opportunity say about meeting eligibility and application requirements?
The notice emphasizes that applicants must satisfy every eligibility and application requirement in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) by the deadline. Missing eligibility criteria can lead to an application being ruled ineligible or excluded from consideration, and can prevent NIFA from making an award even if the project is strong.
Are there any resources mentioned for newer applicants to learn about federal grants?
Yes. The program materials point newer applicants to NIFA resources such as its "About Grants" information to help organizations understand federal financial assistance expectations, compliance basics, and the overall federal award process.
What is the application deadline?
The closing date listed is June 16, 2026.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,500,000.
How many awards does NIFA expect to make?
NIFA expects to make about 15 awards under this announcement.
How is this opportunity categorized?
The opportunity is classified as discretionary funding within the agriculture activity category.
What is the overall program focus in relation to communities?
The program is designed to support institutions in delivering education, applied research, and related community development efforts, including work that supports students and communities through programs tied to agriculture and community well-being.
What does FANH stand for in this opportunity?
FANH refers to food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences.
Does the opportunity indicate that Extension or outreach activities can be part of a project?
Yes. The NOFO indicates that collaborations may carry out education, applied research, and Extension/outreach activities in FANH.
If a project is strong, can it still be denied for administrative reasons?
Yes. The notice states that missing eligibility criteria or failing to meet application requirements can prevent NIFA from making an award even if the project is strong.
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| UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD FOR PEACE, TITLE II PROGRAM Apply for USDA FAS 10624 0700 25 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10624 0700 25 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $200,000,000 |
| Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Apply for USDA NIFA BFR 011336 Funding Number: USDA NIFA BFR 011336 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program Apply for USDA NIFA FINI 011905 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FINI 011905 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| Special Research Grants Program for Aquaculture Research Apply for USDA NIFA SRGP 011856 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SRGP 011856 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $300,000 |
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