Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 006555
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development (EWD) grant opportunity, offered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), is a discretionary grant program designed to strengthen the education-to-workforce pipeline in the food and agricultural sciences. Previously known as the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative (ELI), EWD centers on building the next generation of professionals who will lead research, education, and extension efforts across agriculture and related disciplines. The overall purpose is not just to support training activities in the abstract, but to develop people and programs that expand the capacity of the U.S. food and agriculture system by improving how future scientists, educators, and extension specialists are prepared.
For fiscal year 2018, the program invited applications across four main focus areas that collectively span the career pathway from early education professionals through advanced research training. First, it supports professional development opportunities for K-14 teachers and education professionals, aiming to strengthen educator skills and content knowledge so that high-quality agriculture and food systems learning reaches students earlier and more effectively. Second, it funds training of undergraduate students in research and extension, emphasizing experiential learning that builds practical skills and interest in agricultural science careers. Third, it offers fellowships for predoctoral candidates, supporting doctoral-level trainees as they develop the deep research expertise and professional competencies needed for high-impact careers. Fourth, it provides fellowships for postdoctoral scholars, targeting advanced professional development for early-career researchers as they transition into independent roles in academia, government, industry, or extension.
Eligibility for this opportunity depends on the specific project type being proposed rather than being a single, uniform eligibility standard for the entire program. Applicants are expected to consult the official EWD Request for Applications for the detailed requirements and to review the project type descriptions referenced as beginning in Part II, C, where the program lays out what is allowed and who may apply under each track. The opportunity is cataloged under CFDA number 10.310 and is administered as a grant funding instrument under the agriculture funding activity category.
Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number USDA NIFA AFRI 006555 and an original application closing date of July 19, 2018. The listed award ceiling is $500,000, indicating the maximum amount that could be awarded for a project under this opportunity, depending on the track and the specific requirements in the solicitation. The listing also notes that expected awards were not specified in the provided source data. The opportunity record was created on April 30, 2018. Overall, EWD is structured to invest in education, training, and professional development efforts that measurably strengthen the agricultural sciences workforce, with multiple entry points tailored to educators, undergraduates, and early-career researchers.Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 006555
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.310.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-04-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-07-19. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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AFRI Education and Workforce Development (EWD) Grant FAQs
What is the AFRI Education and Workforce Development (EWD) grant program?
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Education and Workforce Development (EWD) program is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is designed to strengthen the education-to-workforce pipeline in the food and agricultural sciences by supporting education, training, and professional development activities that build the next generation of professionals in agriculture and related fields.
What is the main purpose of the EWD program?
The overall purpose is to expand the capacity of the U.S. food and agriculture system by improving how future scientists, educators, and extension specialists are prepared. The program aims to develop people and programs that measurably strengthen the agricultural sciences workforce, rather than supporting training activities without clear workforce impact.
Is EWD the same program as ELI?
Yes. The EWD program was previously known as the Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences Education and Literacy Initiative (ELI). The opportunity described reflects the program under the EWD name.
Who administers this grant opportunity?
The program is administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What fiscal year does the described opportunity cover?
The information provided describes the fiscal year (FY) 2018 EWD opportunity.
What are the main focus areas or tracks in FY 2018?
For FY 2018, applications were invited across four main focus areas spanning the pathway from early education to advanced research training:
- Professional development opportunities for K-14 teachers and education professionals
- Training of undergraduate students in research and extension (with an emphasis on experiential learning)
- Fellowships for predoctoral candidates (doctoral-level training)
- Fellowships for postdoctoral scholars (advanced professional development for early-career researchers)
What does the K-14 teacher and education professional development track support?
This track supports professional development designed to strengthen educator skills and content knowledge so that high-quality agriculture and food systems learning reaches students earlier and more effectively.
What does the undergraduate research and extension training track emphasize?
This track funds training for undergraduate students in research and extension, emphasizing experiential learning that builds practical skills and increases interest in agricultural science careers.
What does the predoctoral fellowship track support?
This track offers fellowships for predoctoral candidates, supporting doctoral-level trainees as they develop deep research expertise and professional competencies for high-impact careers.
What does the postdoctoral fellowship track support?
This track provides fellowships for postdoctoral scholars focused on advanced professional development for early-career researchers transitioning into independent roles in academia, government, industry, or extension.
Is there one eligibility standard for the entire EWD program?
No. Eligibility depends on the specific project type (track) being proposed. The opportunity does not use a single uniform eligibility rule across all tracks.
Where are the detailed eligibility rules and project-type requirements described?
Applicants are expected to consult the official EWD Request for Applications (RFA) for detailed requirements and to review the project type descriptions referenced as beginning in Part II, C, which outlines what is allowed and who may apply under each track.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is cataloged under CFDA number 10.310.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA AFRI 006555.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The opportunity is administered as a grant funding instrument.
What is the application deadline listed for this opportunity?
The original application closing date listed is July 19, 2018.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $500,000. This indicates the maximum amount that could be awarded for a project under this opportunity, depending on the track and the specific requirements in the solicitation.
Does the opportunity specify how many awards are expected?
No. The provided information notes that expected awards were not specified in the source data.
When was the opportunity record created?
The opportunity record was created on April 30, 2018.
What kinds of outcomes is EWD intended to achieve?
EWD is structured to invest in education, training, and professional development efforts that measurably strengthen the agricultural sciences workforce, with multiple entry points tailored to educators, undergraduates, and early-career researchers.
Does this opportunity focus only on research training?
No. While research training is included (particularly through undergraduate training and predoctoral/postdoctoral fellowships), the program also supports educator professional development and preparation of future educators and extension specialists.
What stages of the career pathway does EWD cover?
The described tracks collectively span early education professional development (K-14 educators), undergraduate experiential training, doctoral-level predoctoral development, and postdoctoral professional development.
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| Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program (ANNH) Apply for USDA NIFA AHSI 006709 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AHSI 006709 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,475,000 |
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| Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 006732 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 006732 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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