OpenFederal grantUSDA-NIFA-SLBCD-012281

Tribal Colleges Extension Program Special Emphasis

National Institute of Food and AgricultureCloses Nov 2, 2026(20 days left)$50,000 – $200,000

Does this fit your business?

This USDA program funds community extension pilot projects at tribal colleges, and only the 35 federally designated 1994 Institutions can apply — no one else. If your organization is not on that named list, including any for-profit business, small business, or nonprofit, do not apply. Eligible colleges may submit up to two applications each.

Best for
The 35 federally designated 1994 tribal colleges and universities, Tribal institutions running community extension pilot projects, Programs in agriculture, food systems, workforce, public health, or Tribal youth engagement
Not for
For-profit businesses of any size, including small businesses, Nonprofit organizations, Any college or university not on the 1994 Institutions list
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Arts & CultureLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Education & TrainingLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Environment & ConservationLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Finance & BankingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Food & BeverageLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Healthcare & BiotechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
ManufacturingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Technical assistance, Planning, Training, Community development
Who can apply
Colleges and universities, Tribal governments and organizations
Award range
$50,000 – $200,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is November 2, 2026.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
Awards range from $50,000 to $200,000. The program has $1,500,000 total and expects to make about 5 awards, and an eligible institution is generally limited to two awards.
Who can apply for this grant?
Only the 35 federally designated 1994 Institutions — specific tribal colleges and universities named in the NOFO, such as Diné College, Salish Kootenai College, and Haskell Indian Nations University — may apply. Each eligible institution may submit a maximum of two applications, and duplicate or multiple submissions are disqualified.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
No. Only the 35 federally designated 1994 tribal colleges and universities may apply, so a sole proprietor or single-member LLC cannot.
Can a nonprofit apply?
No. This program does not accept nonprofit applicants; only the designated 1994 tribal colleges and universities are eligible.

Summary

Only the 35 federally designated 1994 tribal colleges and universities may apply. Funds support community-focused extension pilot projects addressing agricultural productivity, food systems, community vitality, workforce and economic development, public health, Tribal youth engagement, and developing future Tribal agriculture leaders.

About this grant

The TCEP-SE under assistance listing 10.517, provides informal, community-focused extension pilot projects at 1994 Institutions. Pilot projects may focus on community needs that address emerging issues such as agricultural productivity, improving food systems, community vitality, workforce and economic development, public health and well-being, engaging Tribal youths, and preparing the next generation of Tribal agriculture leaders.

Who can apply

Our reading of the listing: for-profit businesses are not eligible for this one.

Applicants for the TCEP-SE must meet all the requirements discussed in this NOFO. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA's About Grants provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

Applications may only be submitted by colleges and universities designated as 1994 Institutions by legislation.

The following colleges and universities are eligible for this program: Aaniiih Nakoda College, Bay Mills Community College, Blackfeet Community College, Cankdeska Cikana Community College, Chief Dull Knife College, College of the Menominee Nation, College of the Muscogee Nation, Diné College, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Fort Peck Community College, Haskell Indian Nations University, Iḷisaġvik College, Institute of American Indian Arts, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa University, Leech Lake Tribal College, Little Big Horn College, Little Priest Tribal College, Navajo Technical University, Nebraska Indian Community College, Northwest Indian College, Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, Oglala Lakota College, Red Lake Nation College, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College, Salish Kootenai College, Sinte Gleska University, Sisseton Wahpeton College, Sitting Bull College, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Stone Child College, Tohono O'odham Community College, Turtle Mountain Community College, United Tribes Technical College, and White Earth Tribal and Community College.

An eligible institution may submit a maximum of two applications per eligible institution. There is generally a limit of two awards to any one eligible institution in response to this NOFO (Refer to Part II, C of this NOFO for Project and Grant Types).

USDA will not accept competitive applications for grant and cooperative agreements submitted for dangerous gain-of-function research, as defined in Section 8 of E.O. 14292.

Duplicate or Multiple Submissions. Duplicate or multiple submissions are not allowed. NIFA will disqualify both applications if an applicant submits duplicate or multiple submissions.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Agriculture
  • Community development
  • Education
  • Workforce
  • Health

Set-asides

  • Tribal

Program contact

Joseph Perez Lead Policy Analystgrantapplicationquestions@usda.gov202-445-5402

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