Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA WAMS 010338
The Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields (WAMS) Program is a competitive grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). Its central purpose is to fund research and extension projects that increase participation in STEM fields by rural women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas. The program emphasizes expanding access and involvement "to the maximum extent practicable," meaning projects should be designed with clear, intentional strategies to reduce barriers and strengthen pathways into STEM for these populations, particularly in rural communities where educational and workforce opportunities can be limited.
This opportunity is categorized as a discretionary grant program, meaning awards are made through a competitive review process rather than by formula. Projects supported under WAMS generally fall into the research and extension space, which in USDA terms often includes applied research, outreach, education, and community-facing programming that helps move knowledge into practice. In practical terms, strong proposals typically connect STEM participation goals to real-world rural needs, such as agriculture and food systems, natural resources, environmental science, or related technology and engineering challenges that matter to rural regions. The program is listed under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 10.318 and is tied to statutory authority in federal law, specifically Section 7204 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, which amended earlier provisions in the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5925).
Eligibility is broad but clearly defined by statute and the program's Request for Applications (RFA). Eligible applicants include state agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations or corporations; and individuals. The program also allows applications from groups or partnerships consisting of two or more eligible entity types. While the list is expansive, applicants still must meet all requirements in the RFA, and missing eligibility criteria by the deadline can lead to removal from consideration or make an award impossible even if the proposal scores well. For applicants that are new to federal grants, NIFA points to its Grants Overview resources as guidance for navigating federal application standards and compliance expectations.
From the funding details provided, the opportunity number is USDA NIFA WAMS 010338. The award ceiling is $200,000 per award, and NIFA anticipated making around 10 awards under this cycle. The original closing date for applications was February 9, 2024, and the opportunity record was created on December 11, 2023. As with many NIFA programs, the expectation is that proposals will present a coherent plan, measurable outcomes, and a clear explanation of how project activities will expand STEM participation among the targeted rural populations. This could include strategies like mentorship and cohort models, hands-on research experiences, extension-led STEM programming, partnerships with rural schools or community organizations, recruitment and retention supports, and evaluation methods that demonstrate progress and impact.
Overall, WAMS is aimed at strengthening the STEM pipeline in rural America by directly supporting projects that broaden participation for groups historically underrepresented in STEM, with an emphasis on practical, place-based approaches that can translate into long-term educational and workforce gains in rural communities.Apply for USDA NIFA WAMS 010338
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.318.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-12-11.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-02-09. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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