Resident Instruction Grants for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas Agriculture and Food Science Facilities and Equipment Program for Insular Areas

The Resident Instruction Grants for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas and the Agriculture and Food Sciences Facilities and Equipment Program are administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These programs are designed to strengthen higher education and research capacity in insular areas, including U.S. territories and freely associated states. The funding opportunity reflects USDA priorities to enhance agricultural productivity, workforce development, and innovation while supporting food security and rural economic resilience. The programs operate under federal legislative authority and are aligned with national goals such as improving farmer profitability, expanding agricultural markets, and advancing food and nutrition outcomes. The primary purpose of the funding is to build institutional capacity in food and agricultural sciences. The Resident Instruction Grants component focuses on improving teaching and educational programs, including curriculum development, faculty training, student recruitment and retention, and instructional delivery systems. It also supports leadership development and experiential learning opportunities for students. The Agriculture and Food Sciences Facilities and Equipment component supports infrastructure improvements, including acquisition, renovation, and modernization of facilities and equipment necessary for agricultural research, particularly in tropical and subtropical contexts. Funding is provided through multiple grant types, including workshop, standard, and collaboration grants for educational projects, and standard grants for facilities and equipment projects. Award amounts vary by grant type, with workshop grants ranging from smaller amounts for short-term activities and collaboration grants supporting larger, multi-institutional initiatives. The total anticipated program funding is approximately 2.8 million dollars, with individual awards ranging broadly depending on the project scope. Funds may be used for educational programming, research infrastructure, student support, and related activities, but must align with program objectives and restrictions, such as limitations on indirect costs and requirements for integrating experiential learning. Eligibility is limited to accredited public or nonprofit institutions of higher education located in designated insular areas, including territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Certain programs further restrict eligibility to land-grant institutions or those with equivalent status. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to deliver education or research programs in food and agricultural sciences and must certify their eligibility through documentation included in the application. Collaboration grants require partnerships between multiple eligible institutions or organizations, with clearly defined roles and shared objectives. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, and applicants are required to follow detailed submission guidelines outlined in the program materials. Required components include a project summary, a detailed project narrative with specific formatting constraints, a data management plan, and additional supporting documents such as letters of support or mentoring plans when applicable. The project narrative must address problem identification, methodology, expected outcomes, evaluation plans, and institutional capacity. Applications are subject to administrative screening followed by a peer review process evaluating criteria such as innovation, feasibility, institutional impact, and cost-effectiveness. The application deadline is June 15, 2026, with submissions due by 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Projects may have performance periods ranging from 24 months for workshop grants to up to 48 months for standard and collaboration grants. Awards are expected to be finalized within the federal fiscal year, with project start dates no later than September 30 of the funding year. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, and matching resources are not considered during evaluation. Applicants may contact program staff via designated email addresses for technical or programmatic questions. Evaluation of applications is conducted through a competitive peer review process that assesses the potential impact on education or research quality, the soundness of the proposed approach, institutional capability, qualifications of key personnel, and budget justification. Successful projects are expected to produce measurable outcomes such as improved educational programs, enhanced research capacity, and increased student participation in agricultural sciences. Recipients are required to comply with federal reporting requirements and participate in program activities such as project director meetings to share results and foster collaboration.

Ensure strong alignment with USDA priorities; clearly demonstrate institutional capacity and measurable outcomes; include detailed evaluation and dissemination plans; emphasize student impact and workforce development