Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program

Overview

The HSI Education Grants Program, under assistance listing number 10.223, will promote and strengthen the ability HSIs to carry out education, applied research, and related community development programs. This program encourages innovative teaching, education, or related community development proposals with the potential to impact and become models for other institutions at the regional or national level. Applications may propose, as part of a formal education and teaching program, that students gain experience with an applied research and community outreach activity. While HSIs are the only eligible entities to apply for this NOFO, funded projects should benefit the entire population at the institution, not solely the Hispanic population.

Priority Need Areas. Projects supported by this program must address one or more of the following priority need areas: 

1. Attract and support the domestic pipeline of undergraduate and graduate students to prepare them for careers related to the FANH sciences [Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences] in the United States. 
2. Enhance the quality of postsecondary instruction within the above disciplines. 
3. Provide opportunities and access to FANH careers in the public, non-profit and private sectors. 
4. Align the efforts of HSIs and other non-profit organizations to support academic development and career attainment of students. 

Disciplines. The HSI Education Grants Program will support applications from any number of disciplines in FANH. More specific information on what is considered FANH can be found at 7 U.S.C. 3103. Other disciplines will be considered provided there is strong justification for their relationship with agricultural enterprises. 

Social and Behavioral Science Disciplines. Projects that integrate social and behavioral sciences with FANH sciences to provide experiential learning opportunities for students are encouraged. Incorporation of social and behavioral sciences is important for addressing many of the challenges facing agriculture and rural communities. USDA Partnerships. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to partner with a USDA agency to leverage resources and expertise for the proposed project and to introduce students to federal careers. Partnerships with USDA agencies can be established after the grant has been awarded. Including letters of collaboration from USDA agencies is not a requirement. 

Leadership Skills Development. The development of leadership skills, knowledge, and qualities are necessary to prepare students for agricultural and related careers in the private sector, government, and academia. The HSI Education Grants Program education/teaching applications must demonstrably incorporate a leadership development component to equip students with technical and leadership abilities upon graduation.

Projects submitted under this NOFO should align with USDA Secretary’s Memorandum 1078- 020 Directive on Departmental Research and Development Priorities: 

1. Increasing Profitability of Farmers and Ranchers
2. Expanding Markets and Creating New Uses of U.S. Agricultural Products 
3. Protecting the Integrity of American Agriculture from Invasive Species 
4. Promoting Soil Health to Regenerate Long-Term Productivity of Land 
5. Improving Human Health through Precision Nutrition and Food Quality

Notice: ASU Limited Submissions will run this opportunity with a rapid review system to better accommodate the sponsor's immediate timeline. 

Limitation: ASU may submit only five (5) applications to the sponsoring organization.

• For FY 2026, there is a five application limit on the number of Regular or Collaboration applications that can be submitted by an institution. 
• For FY 2026, a PD may not apply for a Collaboration Grant as the lead PD if they currently have an active USDA NIFA HSI Education Grants Program Collaboration Grant awarded in FY 2024.

Cost Sharing or Matching: No Match Required.
Percent of Applications Funded: 21%