21 Jan Funding Alert! Women and Minorities in STEM Grants
United States Department of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Attention institutions of higher education! The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently opened its annual Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields (WAMS) funding opportunity through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This program funds research and extension activities that increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, specifically the food and agricultural sciences. Proposals for this program are due March 31, 2022.
Who is eligible to apply?
Potential applicants include state agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university or other research foundations, institutions, or organizations; federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations or corporations; and individuals or a group of eligible entities.
Eligible institutions may submit only one application. Note that WAMS-funded projects require 1:1 matching funds (cash or in-kind contributions from non-federal sources) if they benefit a specific agricultural commodity. NIFA may waive this requirement on a case-by-case basis.
What are the program details?
The WAMS program aims to improve the economic health and viability of rural communities through the development of a competent and qualified workforce in the food and agricultural sciences. Projects should support educational and/or employment opportunities for women and individuals from underrepresented minority groups that address one of the following educational need areas: curriculum design, materials development, and library resources; student experiential learning to improve student STEM skills and interest in STEM disciplines; and student recruitment, retention, mentoring, and educational equity (including through the provision of student financial assistance). WAMS grants are available as one of three project types:
- Education/Teaching: Classroom or laboratory instruction and/or practicum experience in the food and agricultural sciences (e.g., faculty development, curriculum development, instructional materials/equipment, innovative teaching methods) with the overall goal of developing human capital to support and advance U.S. agriculture;
- Extension: Programs or activities that deliver science-based knowledge and informal education for practical decision-making. This could also include certification programs, in-service training, and educational materials, products, or methods that support informal education; and
- Integrated Education/Teaching and Extension: Projects that balance and weave both formal education and extension components together to address an identified issue or need.
Applicants can request up to $100,000 total for a project period ranging from 24-36 months. NIFA anticipates funding four WAMS projects from an available pool of approximately $384,000.
What makes a project a good fit?
WAMS projects must incorporate a leadership development component to successfully prepare students for future careers in the agricultural sciences. This could include the development of practical applications for critical thinking, problem-solving, communication skills, ethics, and professionalism; connecting the classroom experience with daily leadership roles and activities; providing mentoring opportunities; and organizing leadership academies, workshops, or trainings. In addition, NIFA encourages applicants to work with the Extension Foundation to develop and deliver public content through Connect Extension or a National Cooperative Extension Project website.
Note that for the purposes of this program, a rural area is defined as an area that has a population of 50,000 or less and has fewer than 1,000 residents per square mile according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
What if I am ready to apply? To move your project forward, take the following action steps as soon as possible:
- Visit the WAMS program page for a program overview, application tips and FAQs, a recorded informational webinar and slide deck, abstracts of previously funded projects, and program contact information.
- Download the FY22 request for applications (RFA) for full program details and proposal preparation instructions.
- Mark your calendar for an upcoming webinar with information for applicants. NIFA staff will host the general information webinar on January 26, 2022.
- Make sure your System for Award Management (SAM) registration is active and be sure you have a Grants.gov profile. You can check your SAM status here: https://sam.gov/content/status-tracker.
What if I need help with this application?
Contact Assel Grant Services today! Our team can help with all aspects of preparing the application and managing the grant if you are awarded. If you would like to discuss this possibility, please contact AGS as soon as possible. Rosie Brennan, Community Engagement Specialist, will be happy to talk with you about this opportunity and provide you a quote for grant services.
What if I am not ready to apply this year?
This is an annual opportunity, so keep an eye on the USDA’s NIFA website for information about upcoming grant cycles and programs. You can also visit NIFA’s grants page to learn more about the agency’s pre-award, award, post-award, and close out processes, as well as find various resources related to NIFA grant proposal preparation.
How do I learn more about federal grant proposal writing, so my application is more likely to be successful?
AGS is excited to offer a Federal Grants Training Series in 2022! The series is designed to support faculty and staff from institutions of higher education before and during the application process. AGS also offers several on demand webinars on a variety of topics to support the full grant cycle. Check out our website to learn more and sign up for our training newsletter.
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