Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA WAMS 007011
The Women and Minorities in STEM Fields grant opportunity (USDA NIFA WAMS 007011; CFDA 10.318) is a discretionary grant program run by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Its core goal is to expand participation in STEM by women and underrepresented minority groups who come from rural areas, with an emphasis on building real pathways into STEM education and careers. The program is framed around strengthening the talent pipeline in areas tied to food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (often referred to as the FANH sciences), which are priority fields for USDA and for rural community development.
This funding supports projects across three main types of work: research, education/teaching, and extension. In practice, that means proposals can range from conducting applied research that engages and trains rural students, to developing or improving academic curricula and teaching models, to running extension and outreach programs that bring STEM learning and workforce preparation directly into communities. A consistent requirement across recommended applications is that they clearly focus on workforce development, meaning projects should show how they will help produce a competent, qualified workforce for FANH-related STEM careers rather than only providing general educational enrichment.
A major theme of the program is rural economic health and long-term community viability. NIFA is looking for projects that do more than increase participation numbers; the strongest fit is work that connects training and education to concrete employment opportunities, especially new and emerging STEM occupations relevant to rural economies. Projects are encouraged to demonstrate how they will help rural communities adapt to changing labor markets, adopt new technologies, strengthen local industries, or open doors to higher-skill jobs connected to agriculture, food systems, environmental and natural resource management, and related human sciences. Proposals that directly contribute to economic viability, such as by aligning training with regional workforce needs or partnering with employers and community organizations, are explicitly encouraged.
Eligibility is broad but defined in statute. Under Section 7204 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, which amended earlier legislation (7 U.S.C. 5925), applications may be submitted by state agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations or corporations; and individuals. In other words, both public and private entities can apply, including academic, government, nonprofit, and corporate applicants, as long as the proposed project aligns with the program purpose and requirements.
From the opportunity record provided, the sponsoring agency is USDA NIFA, the funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is agriculture. The original closing date listed for this specific posting was February 24, 2020, and the opportunity was created on December 18, 2019. The award ceiling and expected number of awards were not specified in the source data shown, so applicants typically would have needed to consult the full funding announcement for budget limits, project period, evaluation criteria, and other administrative requirements.Apply for USDA NIFA WAMS 007011
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Women and Minorities in STEM Fields" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.318.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2019-12-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-02-24. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Women and Minorities in STEM Fields (USDA NIFA WAMS 007011; CFDA 10.318) - FAQs
What is the Women and Minorities in STEM Fields grant opportunity?
The Women and Minorities in STEM Fields opportunity (USDA NIFA WAMS 007011; CFDA 10.318) is a discretionary grant program administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It supports projects intended to expand participation in STEM for women and underrepresented minority groups from rural areas, with an emphasis on creating real pathways into STEM education and careers.
Which federal agency sponsors this program?
The sponsoring agency is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the program trying to achieve?
The core goal is to broaden participation in STEM by women and underrepresented minority groups who come from rural areas. The program emphasizes building pathways that lead to STEM education and FANH-related careers (food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences), strengthening the talent pipeline that supports USDA priority fields and rural community development.
What does FANH mean in this context?
FANH refers to Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human Sciences. These are the priority fields highlighted for this program because they are closely tied to USDA mission needs and rural economic and community development.
What kinds of projects does this grant fund?
This funding supports projects across three main types of work: research, education/teaching, and extension. Examples can include applied research that trains and engages rural students, development or improvement of academic curricula and teaching models, and extension or outreach programs that bring STEM learning and workforce preparation into communities.
Are research-only or education-only proposals allowed?
The program supports research, education/teaching, and extension as eligible project types. The key point reflected in the opportunity description is that recommended applications consistently demonstrate workforce development impact, rather than focusing only on general educational enrichment.
What does "extension" mean for this opportunity?
Extension refers to outreach and community-based programming that delivers education, training, and applied learning directly to communities. Under this program, extension can be used to bring STEM learning and workforce preparation into rural areas.
Is workforce development required, or just encouraged?
Workforce development is described as a consistent requirement across recommended applications. Projects are expected to show how they will help produce a competent, qualified workforce for FANH-related STEM careers, not only provide general STEM exposure or enrichment.
What does the program mean by "real pathways" into STEM careers?
Based on the description provided, "real pathways" means projects should connect training and education to concrete employment opportunities and career preparation, especially for new and emerging STEM occupations that matter to rural economies.
Who is the intended beneficiary or target population?
The program targets women and underrepresented minority groups who come from rural areas, with the goal of expanding their participation in STEM education and FANH-related career pathways.
How does this grant relate to rural economic development?
Rural economic health and long-term community viability are major themes. NIFA is looking for projects that connect education and training to employment and economic outcomes, such as helping rural communities adapt to changing labor markets, adopt new technologies, strengthen local industries, or access higher-skill jobs connected to agriculture, food systems, natural resource and environmental management, and related human sciences.
Are partnerships with employers or community organizations important?
Yes. The opportunity specifically encourages proposals that align training with regional workforce needs or that partner with employers and community organizations, especially when those partnerships help connect participants to concrete employment opportunities and support rural economic viability.
What types of applicants are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad but defined in statute. Under Section 7204 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (amending 7 U.S.C. 5925), eligible applicants include: state agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations or corporations; and individuals.
Can private companies apply?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes private organizations or corporations, as long as the proposed project aligns with the program purpose and requirements.
Can individuals apply?
Yes. The eligibility language provided indicates that individuals may submit applications, provided the project aligns with the program purpose and requirements.
Can federal agencies or national laboratories apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes federal agencies and national laboratories.
Is this a formula program or a discretionary grant?
This is described as a discretionary grant program run by USDA NIFA.
What is the funding instrument and activity category?
The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is agriculture.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 10.318.
What is the opportunity identifier referenced in the description?
The opportunity identifier referenced is USDA NIFA WAMS 007011.
When was this opportunity created, and when did it close?
The posting was created on December 18, 2019, and the original closing date listed for this specific posting was February 24, 2020.
Does the information provided specify the award ceiling or number of awards?
No. The award ceiling and the expected number of awards were not specified in the source data shown.
Where would applicants typically find budget limits, project period, and evaluation criteria?
Because the award ceiling and expected number of awards were not shown in the opportunity record provided, applicants typically would have needed to consult the full funding announcement for budget limits, project period, evaluation criteria, and other administrative requirements.
What makes a proposal a strong fit for this program based on the description?
A strong fit is a project that goes beyond increasing participation numbers and clearly ties STEM training and education to workforce development outcomes in FANH fields. The description emphasizes alignment with rural workforce needs, connections to concrete employment opportunities (including emerging STEM occupations), and contributions to rural economic viability through technology adoption, industry strengthening, or improved access to higher-skill rural jobs.
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| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational and Applied Science Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 007052 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 007052 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA BRAP 007072 Funding Number: USDA NIFA BRAP 007072 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP) Apply for USDA NIFA VSGP 007172 Funding Number: USDA NIFA VSGP 007172 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Special Research Grants Program - Aquaculture Research Apply for USDA NIFA SRGP 007192 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SRGP 007192 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| FY 2020 FY2021 SBIR Phase II RFA Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 007194 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SBIR 007194 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $650,000 |
| Food Safety Outreach Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA FSMA 007213 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FSMA 007213 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 007252 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 007252 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| USAID/Tanzania Horticulture Activity RFI Apply for RFI 720621 20 HORT Funding Number: RFI 720621 20 HORT Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $39,000,000 |
| Regional Food System Partnerships Apply for USDA AMS TM RFSP G 20 0009 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM RFSP G 20 0009 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA TCRGP 007272 Funding Number: USDA NIFA TCRGP 007272 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program Apply for USDA NIFA SCRI 007332 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SCRI 007332 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Community Food Projects Program Apply for USDA NIFA CFP 007312 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CFP 007312 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FASLP) Apply for USDA NIFA FASLP 007292 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FASLP 007292 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| 1890 Institution Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program Apply for USDA NIFA CBGP 007373 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CBGP 007373 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program (NLGCA) Apply for USDA NIFA NLGCA 007392 Funding Number: USDA NIFA NLGCA 007392 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Apply for USDA NIFA OP 007413 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 007413 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $2,396,750 |
| Crop Protection and Pest Management Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CPPM 007432 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CPPM 007432 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $325,000 |
| Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Competitive Grants Program (FBMB) Apply for USDA NIFA FBMB 007472 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FBMB 007472 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Equipment Grant Program (EGP) Apply for USDA NIFA OP 007473 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 007473 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA OP 007512 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 007512 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $250,000 |
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