USDA NIFA Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program (USDA-NIFA-HSI-011903)

Open FY2026 USDA NIFA education grant opportunity for eligible Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Approximately $30.6 million is available, with Bridge, Standard, and Collaboration awards ranging from $100,000 to $1.2 million under the controlling NOFO. Applications are due December 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. No matching requirement applies.

Broad Eligibility

Only qualifying Hispanic-Serving Institutions may apply. The primary applicant must meet applicable eligible-institution requirements and document at least 25 percent undergraduate full-time-equivalent Hispanic enrollment. A signed Authorized Representative HSI eligibility certification is required; Collaboration applicants must also certify qualifying HSI collaborators.

Atlas Analysis

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is accepting FY2026 applications for the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program, USDA-NIFA-HSI-011903, Assistance Listing 10.223. The program supports eligible Hispanic-Serving Institutions in strengthening education, applied research, and community development capacity in food and agricultural sciences and related fields.

Deadline: December 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

Funding: Approximately $30.6 million is available. The controlling FY2026 NOFO provides 48-month awards with the following ranges: Bridge Grants, $100,000 to $200,000; Standard Grants, $200,000 to $400,000; and Collaboration Grants, $450,000 to $1,200,000. NIFA anticipates approximately 25 Standard awards, including Bridge awards, and 15 Collaboration awards. No matching requirement applies. For FY2026, an institution may submit up to five Regular or Collaboration applications, and NIFA may make up to three awards to the same lead institution, including no more than one Collaboration Grant.

Eligibility: Applications may be submitted only by qualifying Hispanic-Serving Institutions. The applicant must meet the eligible-institution requirements and document at least 25 percent undergraduate full-time-equivalent Hispanic enrollment. A signed Authorized Representative certification of HSI eligibility is required. Collaboration applicants must also certify qualifying HSI collaborators. Certain scholarship and fellowship participants supported by the award are limited to U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents.

Program scope: Projects may focus on education or community development and may use Standard, Bridge, or Collaboration grant structures. The program is intended to strengthen the pipeline of students entering food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences careers. USDA also identifies improving human health through precision nutrition and food quality among its current research and development priorities.

Application: Applications are submitted through Grants.gov. Applicants should use the current NIFA notice of funding opportunity and verify institutional eligibility documentation, registrations, required attachments, and all current submission instructions before filing.