New Beginning for Tribal Students Program

The New Beginning for Tribal Students program is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the United States Department of Agriculture. This federal initiative is authorized under federal law to provide competitive grant funding to Land-grant Colleges and Universities with the goal of supporting Tribal students in accessing and completing higher education. The program reflects USDA priorities related to agricultural workforce development, innovation, and strengthening educational pathways that contribute to national food and agricultural systems. The primary purpose of the program is to increase the retention and graduation rates of Tribal students enrolled at 1862, 1890, and 1994 Land-grant Institutions. Funded projects are expected to provide structured and measurable support systems that improve educational outcomes for Tribal students. These supports may include recruitment initiatives, articulation agreements, dual credit opportunities, tuition assistance, experiential learning, and a wide range of student services such as tutoring, counseling, and academic advising. Projects must also demonstrate how they contribute to the broader advancement of agriculture and related sciences, even if participating students are not enrolled in agriculture-specific degree programs. Funding under this opportunity totals approximately 5,000,000 dollars for the fiscal year, with individual awards generally ranging between 250,000 and 500,000 dollars. Applicants may apply for either standard grants or collaborative grants, with collaborative projects involving partnerships with eligible entities such as Tribal governments, community colleges, high schools, or organizations serving Tribal students. Projects may span a duration of 24 to 48 months. Funding may be used for a variety of allowable activities tied directly to student success, though indirect costs are capped at 30 percent of total federal funds awarded. A significant requirement of this program is the mandatory cost-sharing component. Applicants must provide a 100 percent match to the federal funds awarded, meaning all requested funding must be matched dollar-for-dollar with non-federal contributions. This requirement cannot be waived and must be clearly documented within the application budget justification. Matching contributions may include cash or allowable in-kind support consistent with federal regulations. Eligibility is restricted to Land-grant Colleges and Universities, specifically 1862, 1890, and 1994 institutions. While only these institutions may apply directly, they are encouraged to form partnerships with Tribal-serving entities and other educational organizations. The application process must be completed electronically through Grants.gov using the designated funding opportunity number. Applicants must follow detailed instructions outlined in the NIFA Grants Application Guide and include required components such as a project narrative, budget, data management plan, mentoring plan if applicable, and documentation of partnerships for collaborative proposals. Applications are evaluated through a two-stage process consisting of an administrative review followed by a scientific peer review. Evaluation criteria include the potential impact on Tribal student graduation rates, the strength and feasibility of the proposed approach, institutional capability, qualifications of key personnel, and overall budget justification and cost-effectiveness. Projects are expected to demonstrate measurable outcomes, strong partnerships, and alignment with program goals. Successful applicants may be notified following the completion of the review process, and funded projects must comply with all federal reporting and administrative requirements. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is July 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. There is no pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent specified in the notice. The program is offered as a recurring federal opportunity, typically aligned with fiscal year funding cycles. For questions related to the program, applicants may contact the National Institute of Food and Agriculture via email or consult resources provided through Grants.gov.

Focus on measurable increases in Tribal student retention and graduation; demonstrate strong institutional partnerships; align project with agricultural workforce outcomes; include leadership development components