K-12 and Higher Education Programs

Ask any agricultural researcher how they became a scientist.  Many will point to a special teacher, who inspired them. Others may remember a great internship that built their skills. Still others will remember being able to work in a cutting-edge laboratory at college or a taking class that made the difference. NIFA knows the value of educators and schools whether they are teaching pre-schoolers about seeds or tenured professors mentoring a post-doctorate student as she conducts research plant genetics. 

• Grants Promoting K-12 Education: These grants target teachers from primary grades to high school.  They help educators give students a foundation in math and science relating to agriculture.
  • Ag In the Classroom: Promotes science literacy state-by-state
  • Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program (SPECA): Contains special funding options for K-12 teachers.
  • National Awards Program for Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences: Recognizes talented educators who inspire students in agriculture.  
     
• Grants Promoting University Education: These grants allow faculty members to give their students the best education possible in agri-science.
  • Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program: Grants for faculty to develop a  creative or non-traditional approach toward addressing that need that can serve as a model to others.
  • Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program: Supports non-Land-Grant colleges in their efforts to carry out educational, research, and outreach activities that address priority concerns of national, regional, State, and local interest.
     
• Special Projects: Data Research Programs: NIFA also funds projects to track trends in agricultural workforce and graduate degrees in agriculture.