Grant Details

Grants Office Grantwriting service fee is currently unavailable for this grant
Get more information on grantwriting

Authority

Summary

History of Funding

Approximately $384,000 was available in total funding for FY 22 for up to 4 awards. Funded projects can be seen at https://cris.nifa.usda.gov/cgi-bin/starfinder/0?path=fastlink1.txt&id=anon&pass=&search=cg=*-38503-*&format=WEBTITLESG.

Approximately $400,000 was available in total funding for FY 21. Funded projects can be seen at https://cris.nifa.usda.gov/cgi-bin/starfinder/0?path=fastlink1.txt&id=anon&pass=&search=cg=*-38503-*&format=WEBTITLESG.

Additional Information

Educational Need Areas: WAMS projects should focus on the purpose of two or more of the FY 2023 Need Areas:

1. Student Experiential Learning. Furthers the development of student scientific and professional competencies through hands-on experiential learning projects (inside or outside of the classroom) that provide students with opportunities to solve complex problems in the context of real-world situations. Applications may emphasize, but are not limited to: introducing and expanding students' knowledge of STEM and other technologies supportive of solutions to pressing challenges influencing food and agriculture including Addressing Climate Change; Advancing Racial Justice, Equity, and Opportunity; Creating More and Better Markets for Producers and Consumers at Home and Abroad; Tackling Food and Nutrition Insecurity and Food Safety; and Making USDA a Great Place to Work for Everyone. Projects should focus on advancing student decision-making and communications skills, data and analytical skills and improving their interest in STEM disciplines as they relate to the food and agricultural enterprise. Activities may include, but are not limited to internships, practicum experiences, study abroad opportunities, and leadership skill development. 
2. Student Recruitment, Retention, Mentoring and Educational Equity. Enhances educational equity for under-represented students and strengthens student recruitment 9 and retention programs to promote the future strength of the Nation's scientific, professional, and technical workforce in the food and agricultural sciences. Activities under this need area may include the provision of student financial assistance to support the recruitment and retention of students. Applications may emphasize, but are not limited to:
   1. Initiating new projects or supplementing current efforts to attract and enroll an increased number of students from underrepresented groups in education programs in STEM disciplines as they relate to food and agricultural sciences. These efforts may provide outreach to student's families and communities to engage in a robust exchange of ideas on using the full breadth of the Nation's intellectual resources more effectively.
   2. Developing or supplementing agricultural and science literacy programs at the K-14 education levels (kindergarten through twelfth grade plus two years of post-secondary schooling (e.g., vocational technical institutions or community or junior colleges)) that attract students to credentialing or degree granting programs and careers in the food and agricultural sciences; providing mentoring and hands-on learning enrichment programs, student financial support for underrepresented students to attend credentialing or degree granting programs or other initiatives for student retention. Projects with a primary target of supporting current four-year undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral studies will not be awarded under this program.
3. Curriculum Design, Materials Development, and Library Resources. The overall objective is to raise awareness for women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas to STEM disciplines as they relate to the food and agricultural sector. This is to be achieved by increasing or updating the quality of academic programs at K-14 institutions. This Educational Need Area promotes the development of alternative courses of study and degree programs, new and improved curricula and instructional materials, delivery systems and technology that respond to differences in student learning styles or increase awareness to the role of STEM disciplines in food and agricultural sciences. The Need Area also promotes the acquisition of library resources including books, journals and digital resources relating to the food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences- including traditional ecological knowledge; and stimulates the use of new approaches to the study of traditional subjects, new research on teaching and learning theory, and new applications of knowledge. Projects including curriculum development components must be led by or include key personnel with curriculum development credentials to ensure materials produced comply with the most appropriate pedagogy, teaching standards, and other applicable institutional, state and national accreditation requirements.

Grant funds awarded under this program may not be used to renovate or refurbish research, education, or extension space; purchase or install fixed equipment in such a space; or to plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construction of buildings or facilities. The use of grant funds to plan, acquire, or construct a building or facility is not allowed under this program.

Contacts