The Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants (HSI) program strengthens the ability of HSIs to carry out higher education programs to attract, retain, and graduate students capable of enhancing the nation's food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences workforce. This grant program aligns the efforts of HSIs to support academic and career development of students.
Goals and Objectives
- Strengthen capacities at Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) and Hispanic Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACU) in order to respond and serve the needs of students
- Recruit, retain and support undergraduate and graduate students to prepare them for careers related to the food, agricultural and natural resource systems of the United States
- Facilitate collaborations between HSIs (or between HSIs and the public/private sector) to maximize development and use of resources and to improve the food and agricultural sciences teaching programs.
The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) authorized establishment of a group of Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges and universities (HSACUs) to be eligible for NIFA Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Programs.
The primary objective of the HSI program is to attract exceptional students and foster the development of graduates who can actively contribute to the nation's food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce. In FY 2024, NIFA funded 21 projects through the HSI program.
Eligibility
To be eligible for competitive consideration for an award under this program, a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) must, at the time of application, certify that it is an eligible institution as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)(2) and has a minimum of 25 percent undergraduate full-time Hispanic enrollment (20 U.S.C. 1101a (a (5)).
Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) Designation
Hispanic-Serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) are eligible for NIFA Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Programs. In addition to the enrollment requirement, HSACUs must have an accredited agriculture-related program and at least 15 percent of the degrees awarded in agriculture over the two most recently completed academic years.
Developing a Meat and Poultry Processing Workforce Training Center in Puerto Rico
The development of the Meat and Poultry Processing Workforce Training Center in Puerto Rico is investing in the education and training of a new generation of meat and poultry professionals.
Read moreThe HSI Program is administered under Section 1455 of (NARETPA) (7 U.S.C. 3241) pursuant to section 815 of Public Law 104-127 and Public Law 110-246 to encourage innovative teaching or education proposals with potential to impact and become models for other institutions that serve students at the regional or national level.
Watch the FY 23 Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants RFA Webinar, held on February 15, 2023 (YouTube).
Dr. Kellyann Jones-Jamtgaard (National Program Leader) | kellyann.jonesjamtgaard@usda.gov
Dorissel Resto (Program Specialist) | dorissel.resto@usda.gov