May 7, 2019 - Flash Edition

Octae Connection

OCTAE Connection Flash Edition

May 7, 2019

$29 Million in Training and Professional Development Grants Available Under U.S Department of Agriculture Agricultural Workforce Training Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture is excited to announce the availability of $29 million in grant funding. This request for applications seeks submissions for preparing technology and data-savvy workforce in education, research, extension, farming, and industrial sectors. Applications are solicited in four program areas, including Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy and Agricultural Workforce Training Grants.

Agriculture Workforce Grants can be for up to $500,000 for curriculum development for workforce training in the agricultural sciences. Curriculum development includes, and is not limited to, creation of curriculum and instructional delivery systems, pilot testing/implementation of curriculum and delivery methods, development of assessment tools, and evaluation. Applications must target one of the following six priority areas: plant health and production and plant products; animal health and production and animal products; food safety, nutrition, and health; bioenergy, natural resources, and environment; agriculture systems and technology; and agriculture economics and rural communities. Funds may be used for participant stipends and travel; provider personnel salaries; software; supplies; curricula; and other costs of workforce training.

Please note that the Letter of Intent Deadline for Agricultural Workforce Training Grants is June 11, 2019, and the application deadline is Aug. 22, 2019.

Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy grants can be for up to $300,000 for four-year projects to enhance agricultural literacy for K–14 educators. Projects should provide immersive learning experiences for K–14 educators, enabling them to identify and replicate best practices to enhance student outcomes in the food, agricultural, natural resources, and human sciences fields. Eligible applicants include colleges and universities, university research foundations, other research institutions and organizations, federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations or corporations, and others. Funds requested may include, but are not limited to, support for participant stipends and travel; costs of continuing education units; provider personnel salaries; software; and curricula.

Please note that the due date for Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy applications is June 13, 2019.

Learn more at https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/agriculture-and-food-research-initiative-education-workforce-development.