Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 007853
The Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG) is a competitive grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Its central goal is to strengthen colleges and universities located in U.S. insular areas by improving their ability to deliver resident instruction, curriculum, and teaching in the food and agricultural sciences using distance education technology. In practice, the program is meant to expand and modernize postsecondary agricultural education by helping eligible institutions build or enhance the tools, course delivery methods, and instructional capacity needed to teach students remotely and effectively, especially where geography, infrastructure, or limited local resources can make traditional program expansion difficult.
This funding opportunity is categorized as discretionary federal assistance and uses a grant funding instrument. It falls under the agriculture funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 10.322. The posted funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA RIGP 007853, with an original closing date of January 21, 2021. The listed award ceiling is $150,000 per award. While the notice indicates expected awards, the number is not specified in the excerpt provided, which typically means applicants should rely on the full RFA and any budget tables in the official announcement for the most accurate estimates.
Eligibility is tightly tied to both institutional status and location. Applicants must be institutions of higher education as defined by Section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)), must be located in an insular area, and must show a demonstrable capacity to carry out teaching and extension programs in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. Eligible applicants include public or non-profit, accredited 2-year and 4-year institutions that offer certificates or degree programs in the food and agricultural sciences. Institutions with land-grant status located in the insular areas are automatically eligible to apply directly. Importantly, receiving a DEG award in one year does not disqualify an institution from applying in later years; repeat participation is allowed. The notice also clarifies that receiving grants under other authorities does not affect eligibility for DEG, so an institution can hold or have held other federal awards and still remain eligible for this program.
The program specifically serves eight insular areas: American Samoa; the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; the Federated States of Micronesia; Guam; the Republic of the Marshall Islands; the Republic of Palau; and the Virgin Islands of the United States. In addition to standalone institutions, certain branch structures can apply under defined conditions. Separately accredited, degree-granting branch institutions within a state university system or public higher education system are treated as eligible as individual applicants, as long as they meet the definition of an eligible institution. Independent branch campuses may also apply if they satisfy the same eligible institution definition and meet the program's description of independence: they must be geographically separate from the main campus, permanent in nature, offer credit-bearing courses and programs leading to an associate or bachelor’s degree, and be autonomous enough to have their own faculty and administrative or supervisory organization along with their own budgetary and hiring authority.
The RFA also emphasizes compliance with federal administrative requirements. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements by the application deadline, or they risk being excluded from consideration or being unable to receive an award. The program references 7 CFR 3430 for key definitions and administrative provisions, including the concept of an "eligible participant" for faculty who receive support for developmental activities under a funded project. This matters because even if an institution is eligible, the individuals supported through the grant must also fit applicable federal definitions and conditions tied to the program.
A final practical requirement is certification of eligibility at the time of application. Each primary applicant must demonstrate or certify it meets the eligible institution definition described in the RFA. Non-land-grant institutions, in particular, must submit a letter signed by the institution’s Authorized Representative (AR) certifying eligibility. The AR must also certify core institutional characteristics such as admitting as regular students only individuals who have completed secondary education (or its recognized equivalent), being legally authorized in the insular area to provide education beyond secondary school, and meeting additional institutional education-related requirements that continue beyond the excerpt provided. Overall, the DEG program is designed as a targeted capacity-building investment to help insular area institutions expand high-quality agricultural education through distance learning, while requiring clear proof that the applicant is a legitimate, authorized, accredited provider positioned to deliver those improvements.Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 007853
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.322.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-10-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-01-21. (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 $150,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Distance Education Grants Program (DEG) for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas - FAQs
What is the Distance Education Grants Program (DEG)?
The Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG) is a competitive grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is designed to strengthen colleges and universities located in U.S. insular areas by improving their ability to deliver resident instruction, curriculum, and teaching in the food and agricultural sciences using distance education technology.
What is the main goal of the DEG program?
The central goal is to expand and modernize postsecondary agricultural education in insular areas by helping eligible institutions build or enhance the tools, course delivery methods, and instructional capacity needed to teach students remotely and effectively, particularly where geography, infrastructure, or limited local resources make traditional program expansion difficult.
Who administers this grant opportunity?
The program is administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. DEG is described as a competitive grant opportunity.
What type of federal assistance is this?
This opportunity is categorized as discretionary federal assistance and uses a grant funding instrument.
What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity falls under the agriculture funding activity category.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The associated CFDA number is 10.322.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The posted funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA RIGP 007853.
What was the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original closing date listed in the provided information is January 21, 2021.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $150,000 per award.
How many awards are expected to be made?
The provided excerpt indicates that awards are expected, but it does not specify the number. Applicants are typically expected to consult the full Request for Applications (RFA) and any official budget tables for the most accurate estimates.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be institutions of higher education as defined by Section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)), must be located in an insular area, and must demonstrate capacity to carry out teaching and extension programs in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences.
What kinds of institutions qualify (2-year, 4-year, public, non-profit)?
Eligible applicants include public or non-profit, accredited 2-year and 4-year institutions that offer certificates or degree programs in the food and agricultural sciences.
Which geographic areas are eligible under this program?
The program specifically serves eight insular areas: American Samoa; the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; the Federated States of Micronesia; Guam; the Republic of the Marshall Islands; the Republic of Palau; and the Virgin Islands of the United States.
Are land-grant institutions in insular areas eligible?
Yes. Institutions with land-grant status located in the insular areas are automatically eligible to apply directly.
Can a non-land-grant institution apply?
Yes, as long as it meets the definition of an eligible institution and is located in an eligible insular area. The provided information also notes that non-land-grant institutions must submit a letter signed by the institution's Authorized Representative (AR) certifying eligibility.
Does receiving a DEG award in one year prevent an institution from applying again?
No. The notice clarifies that receiving a DEG award in one year does not disqualify an institution from applying in later years. Repeat participation is allowed.
Does having other federal grants affect eligibility for DEG?
No. The notice states that receiving grants under other authorities does not affect eligibility for DEG, meaning an institution can hold or have held other federal awards and still remain eligible for this program.
Can branch institutions or branch campuses apply?
Yes, under defined conditions. Separately accredited, degree-granting branch institutions within a state university system or public higher education system may be treated as eligible individual applicants if they meet the definition of an eligible institution. Independent branch campuses may also apply if they meet the eligible institution definition and satisfy the program's description of independence.
What does it mean for a branch campus to be considered "independent" for eligibility purposes?
Based on the provided information, an independent branch campus must be geographically separate from the main campus, permanent in nature, offer credit-bearing courses and programs leading to an associate or bachelor's degree, and be sufficiently autonomous to have its own faculty and administrative or supervisory organization, along with its own budgetary and hiring authority.
What must an applicant be able to demonstrate beyond location and accreditation?
The institution must show a demonstrable capacity to carry out teaching and extension programs in food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences.
What kinds of activities is this grant intended to support?
The program is intended to support improvements to distance education technology and instructional capacity related to resident instruction, curriculum, and teaching in the food and agricultural sciences, including building or enhancing tools and course delivery methods needed to teach students remotely and effectively.
What federal administrative requirements apply to applicants?
The RFA emphasizes compliance with federal administrative requirements and references 7 CFR 3430 for key definitions and administrative provisions relevant to the program.
When must an institution meet the eligibility requirements?
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements by the application deadline. The notice warns that failing to meet eligibility requirements by the deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or an inability to receive an award.
What is meant by an "eligible participant" in this program?
The program references 7 CFR 3430 and notes that it includes the concept of an "eligible participant" for faculty who receive support for developmental activities under a funded project. This is important because individuals supported through the grant must fit applicable federal definitions and conditions tied to the program.
Is there a requirement to certify eligibility at the time of application?
Yes. Each primary applicant must demonstrate or certify that it meets the eligible institution definition described in the RFA.
What documentation is required from non-land-grant institutions to certify eligibility?
Non-land-grant institutions must submit a letter signed by the institution's Authorized Representative (AR) certifying eligibility, according to the provided information.
What institutional characteristics must the Authorized Representative (AR) certify?
The AR must certify core institutional characteristics, including that the institution admits as regular students only individuals who have completed secondary education (or its recognized equivalent), and that the institution is legally authorized in the insular area to provide education beyond secondary school. The excerpt also notes there are additional education-related requirements beyond what was provided.
What happens if eligibility documentation is incomplete or not provided by the deadline?
The notice emphasizes that applicants must meet all eligibility requirements by the application deadline, or they risk being excluded from consideration or being unable to receive an award. Based on that, missing or incomplete eligibility documentation by the deadline could jeopardize consideration or award eligibility.
Where should applicants look for the most complete and accurate details (such as expected number of awards)?
The excerpt suggests relying on the full RFA and any budget tables in the official announcement for the most accurate estimates and complete details.
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| Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Apply for USDA NIFA FBMB 007854 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FBMB 007854 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS) Apply for USDA NIFA WAMS 007852 Funding Number: USDA NIFA WAMS 007852 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Assistive Technology Program Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 007772 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 007772 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $531,000 |
| Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA TCRGP 007812 Funding Number: USDA NIFA TCRGP 007812 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program (SPECA) Apply for USDA NIFA SAECP 007855 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SAECP 007855 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 007858 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CGP 007858 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program (RHSE) Apply for USDA NIFA RHSE 007857 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RHSE 007857 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA HSI 007752 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HSI 007752 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 007856 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 007856 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| USAID/Bangladesh Virtual Stakeholders' Consultations on Increased Access to Finance; Strengthening of Oilseed and Pulses Value Chains, and Commercialization of Agricultural Research and Biotechnology in Bangladesh Apply for 72038821N00001 Funding Number: 72038821N00001 Agency: Bangladesh USAID-Dhaka Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Feed the Future Bangladesh Livestock and Nutrition Activity Apply for 72038821RFA00001 Funding Number: 72038821RFA00001 Agency: Bangladesh USAID-Dhaka Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $19,500,000 |
| Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 007872 Funding Number: USDA NIFA ICGP 007872 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Assessment by USAID Kenya and East Africa’s Office of Economic Growth and Integration (OEGI) on Interest Among Local Partners in Applying for USAID Funding Apply for 72061521RFI000003 Funding Number: 72061521RFI000003 Agency: Kenya USAID-Nairobi Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Sustainable Agricultural Systems (SAS) Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 007892 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 007892 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) Pre-Applications Apply for USDA NIFA SCRI 007952 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SCRI 007952 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $8,000,000 |
| Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA BRAP 008032 Funding Number: USDA NIFA BRAP 008032 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Minor Crop Pest Management Program Interregional Research Project # 4 (IR-4) Apply for USDA NIFA SRGP 008033 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SRGP 008033 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $15,000,000 |
| Disaster Risk Management Professionalization and Youth Leadership (DRM-PYL) Apply for 72066321RFA00002 Funding Number: 72066321RFA00002 Agency: Ethiopia USAID-Addis Ababa Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $7,680,000 |
| Youth Farm Safety Education and Certification (YFSEC) Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 008054 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 008054 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Agriculture Risk Management Education Partnerships (ARME) Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA ARPA 008013 Funding Number: USDA NIFA ARPA 008013 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $2,250,000 |
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