OpenFederal grantUSDA-NIFA-TCRGP-011697

Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program

National Institute of Food and AgricultureCloses Dec 31, 2026(79 days left)$150,000 – $2,500,000

Does this fit your business?

This is a USDA research-capacity program restricted to the 35 federally recognized 1994 land-grant tribal colleges and universities named in the NOFO; it funds agricultural, natural resources, and human sciences research and undergraduate training, including AI, data science, and robotics projects. If your institution is not on that list, do not apply — no business, nonprofit, or other college can receive this money.

Best for
The 35 federally recognized 1994 land-grant tribal colleges and universities named in the NOFO, Tribal colleges building research capacity in agriculture, natural resources, or human sciences, Tribal colleges running undergraduate training in AI, data science, or robotics for food and agriculture careers
Not for
For-profit businesses, including small businesses and sole proprietors, Nonprofit organizations, Colleges or universities not on the NOFO's list of 35 eligible 1994 institutions
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
Research, Training, Equipment, Technical assistance
Who can apply
Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities
Award range
$150,000 – $2,500,000

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is December 31, 2026.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
Awards range from $150,000 to $2,500,000. The total program funding is $11,574,000, with about 15 awards expected.
Who can apply for this grant?
Only the 35 federally recognized 1994 land-grant tribal colleges and universities listed in the NOFO may apply. For-profit businesses, including small businesses, are not eligible.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
No. The program is restricted to the 1994 land-grant tribal colleges and universities named in the NOFO, so a sole proprietor or single-member LLC cannot apply.
Can a nonprofit apply?
No. The program does not accept nonprofit applicants; eligibility is limited to the 35 named 1994 land-grant tribal colleges and universities.

Summary

Restricted to the 35 federally recognized 1994 land-grant tribal colleges and universities listed in the NOFO. Funds build research capacity in agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences, including AI, data science, and robotics projects, and train undergraduate students for food and agricultural careers.

About this grant

TCRGP focuses on development of research capacity at Tribal colleges, specifically in agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. The program aims to teach leadership skills, knowledge, and qualities that are necessary to prepare students to be competitive with other students for agricultural and related careers in the private sector, government, and academia. Of interest are the projects involving innovative agricultural technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), data science, robotics, and other cutting edge digital tools. NIFA encourages incorporation of opportunities for training undergraduate students in these areas to equip them with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to adapt to and thrive in an increasingly digital society and expose them to educational and career pathways in AI for food and agricultural sciences.

Who can apply

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

Applicants for the TCRGP 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.The eligible 1994s are listed below:1) Aaniiih Nakoda College2) Bay Mills Community College3) Blackfeet Community College4) Cankdeska Cikana Community College5) Chief Dull Knife College6) College of Menominee Nation7) College of the Muscogee Nation8) Dine College9) Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College10) Fort Peck Community College11) Haskell Indian Nations University12) Ilisagvik College13) Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development.14) Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College15) Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College16) Leech Lake Tribal College17) Little Big Horn College18) Little Priest Tribal College19) Navajo Technical University20) Nebraska Indian Community College21) Northwest Indian College22) Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College23) Oglala Lakota College24) Red Lake Nation College25) Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College26) Salish Kootenai College27) Sinte Gleska University28) Sisseton Wahpeton College29) Sitting Bull College30) Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute31) Stone Child College32) Tohono O'odham Community College33) Turtle Mountain Community College34) United Tribes Technical College35) White Earth Tribal and Community College USDA will not accept competitive applications for grants 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
  • Education
  • Science
  • Technology

Set-asides

  • Tribal

Program contact

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