Women and Minorities in STEM (WAMS)

Overview

The Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Fields Grant (WAMS) Program seeks to provide funding that may only be used for research and extension activities in the training, outreach and mentoring of women and minorities from rural areas in STEM fields relevant to USDA mission. It is an expectation that investment of public funds through the WAMS grant program will lead to:

• Gains in STEM knowledge, skills and capabilities, as well as new participants in USDA mission science through outreach activities, new careers or entrepreneurial enterprise;
• Increased documentation of outputs, significant activities, including dissemination activities, events, services or products that contribute toward achieving the goals and objectives of WAMS;
• Increased change in knowledge, actions or conditions; and
• Increased capacity for carrying out the USDA mission.  

Eligibility

Eligibility is limited to the following: 

1. State agricultural experiment stations 
2. Colleges and universities 
3. University research foundations 
4. Other research institutions and organizations 
5. Federal agencies 
6. National laboratories 
7. Private organizations or corporations 
8. Individuals or any group consisting of two or more of the entities described in items 1 through 8. 

Current Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs)

This program is not funded for Fiscal Year 2026.

Previously Funded Projects

Access WAMS Projects