Opportunity Overview
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has opened the FY2026 Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program under Funding Opportunity Number USDA-NIFA-NLGCA-011938 and Assistance Listing 10.326.
The program supports education, research, outreach/Extension, and integrated activities that build the capacity of eligible non-land-grant colleges of agriculture in agriculture, renewable resources, and related disciplines.
Funding and Deadline
NIFA lists $5.7 million in estimated total program funding and an award range of $30,000 to $750,000. No cost share is required. Applications close November 10, 2026.
Who Can Apply
Applications may be submitted only by Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture that are certified by NIFA at the time of application. Institutions certified before December 21, 2018 must satisfy the current recertification requirements described by NIFA. Award recipients may subaward to otherwise ineligible organizations when those organizations are necessary to conduct the project, subject to the controlling NOFO.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 80/100. This is a well-defined national higher-education capacity program with a clear federal source, meaningful award range, no match, and a November application window. Eligibility is limited to NIFA-certified NLGCA institutions.
N9+ Direct Vendor Fit: 0/100. QC Healthcare Fit: 0/100. The controlling program focuses on agricultural education, research, outreach/Extension, and institutional capacity rather than clinical-care delivery, remote physical exams, telehealth equipment, or physician coverage. Atlas should not position N9+ or QC Healthcare under this opportunity absent a later controlling amendment that materially changes allowable scope.
Next Action
Eligible NIFA-certified NLGCA institutions should review the FY2026 NOFO, verify certification status, select an allowable education, research, outreach/Extension, or integrated project, and submit the complete federal application by November 10, 2026.