The purpose of this program is to assist NLGCA Institutions in maintaining and expanding their capacity to conduct education, research, and outreach/extension activities relating to food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH sciences). The goals of the NLGCA program are to strengthen the capacity of NLGCA institutions to develop infrastructure to carry out agricultural research, teaching and outreach activities; enhance the ability of faculty members to engage in agricultural professional development opportunities; and increase the number, quality and diversity of qualified graduates entering the food and agricultural workforce. NLGCA program supports the economic vitality of rural communities by funding new degree programs in FANH sciences that emphasize new and emerging employment opportunities.    

Non-land-grant institutions must first be certified by the NLGCA program to be eligible to apply for NLGCA program funds. In order to be eligible for this program, an institution must satisfy the eligibility requirements for NLGCA designation, request the designation and be certified by NIFA. To view a list of certified NLGCA institutions, visit NIFA-20-001 Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA) List. Please visit the NIFA-19-005 NLGCA Eligibility Flow Chart resource to determine whether or not an institution is eligible to be designated as a NLGCA as defined in the 2018 Farm Bill. The request for designation form can be found on the Request for Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture Designation resource page.