Eligible Historically Black Land-grant Universities can now apply for the 1890 Institution Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program.

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture has approximately $56 million available through the current competition.

Awards range from $50,000 to $750,000.

Applications close on November 4, 2026.

What Is the 1890 Capacity Building Program?

The programme strengthens the teaching, research and Extension capacity of 1890 Land-grant Institutions.

These universities play a major role in training students, conducting agricultural research and transferring practical knowledge into communities.

The funding is intended to strengthen their position as full partners within the U.S. food and agricultural sciences system.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility is limited to qualifying 1890 Land-grant Institutions.

This includes historically Black land-grant universities created under the Second Morrill Act.

The programme is not open generally to every U.S. university.

Applicants should verify institutional eligibility through USDA NIFA before preparing a proposal.

What Can Projects Address?

The programme supports three major institutional functions.

Teaching

Projects may improve:

• Academic programmes;
• Curriculum;
• Student recruitment;
• Student retention;
• Experiential learning;
• Workforce preparation.

Research

Funding can strengthen research addressing agricultural issues of local, regional or national importance.

Extension

Projects may improve how universities transfer research, technical knowledge and practical support to farmers, communities and other stakeholders.

How Much Funding Is Available?

Estimated programme funding: $56 million

Award range: $50,000 to $750,000

Matching requirement: None

The amount requested should reflect the scale and category of the proposed capacity-building activity.

What Does USDA Want to Achieve?

The programme has three broad objectives.

First, it aims to prepare more professionals in food and agricultural sciences.

Second, it seeks stronger partnerships between 1890 institutions, other universities, federal agencies and private industry.

Third, it supports stronger teaching, research and Extension systems within the 1890 universities themselves.

What Makes a Competitive Proposal?

Start with the capacity gap.

For example:

• Is laboratory infrastructure outdated?
• Does an institution need new expertise in precision agriculture?
• Is student enrolment declining in an important discipline?
• Does an Extension programme need modern digital-delivery systems?

Then demonstrate how the proposed project creates long-term institutional improvement.

Avoid designing a project that disappears when grant funding ends.

Current Deadline

November 4, 2026

The programme is currently open.

Official Application Link

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-CBGP-011698

Apply through the official Grants.gov opportunity

View the official USDA NIFA programme page

Because this is an institutional USDA application, university faculty should coordinate with their sponsored-research office before submission.