Higher Education - Institution Challenge Grants Program

 

The purpose of the Higher Education Challenge Grants Program, under assistance listing 10.217, is to strengthen institutional capacities, including curriculum, faculty, scientific instrumentation, instruction delivery systems, and student recruitment and retention, to respond to identified state, regional, national, or international educational needs in the food and agricultural sciences, or in rural economic, community, and business development.

Active 10.217 National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Department of Agriculture B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 In FY 2016 it is anticipated that $4,500,000 will be available to support awards after legislatively authorized set-asides are deducted. A total of 62 projects were received in response to the FY 2016 RFA. It is anticipated that approximately 15 awards will be granted in FY 2016. As of July 2016, the FY 2016 peer panel has not been convened to evaluate the merit of the submitted applications. Therefore, further information is not available. Pertinent data to be provided by Program at a future date. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2016, $4,570,425 million was available to support awards after legislatively authorized set-asides were deducted. A total of 61 applications were reviewed in response to the FY 2016 RFA. A 13-member peer review panel evaluated the applications. The peer panel included faculty and administrators from land grant and non-land grant colleges and universities, and practitioners from the food and agricultural sciences community. Funds were available to support 20 awards in the following Grant Types: • Conference/Planning Projects [Three (3) awards] • Regular Projects (13 awards) • Joint-Institution Projects [One (1) award] • Large-Scale Comprehensive Initiatives [Three (3) awards] The funding ratio for this program in FY 2016 was 26%. Funded projects will address one (1) or more of the following educational strategies: (1) Curriculum Development, Instructional Delivery Systems and Expanding Student Career Opportunities; (2) Faculty Preparation and Enhancement for Teaching; and/or (3) Facilitating Interaction with Other Academic Institutions. The Higher Education Challenge (HEC) program seeks to improve formal, baccalaureate or master’s degree level food, agricultural, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH) education and first professional degree-level education in veterinary medicine (DVM). HEC projects may improve the economic health and viability of communities through the development of degree programs that emphasize new and emerging employment opportunities. Projects may also address the national challenge to increase the number and diversity of students entering the FANH sciences.
Fiscal Year 2017 In Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, $4,519,357 was available to support awards after legislatively authorized set-asides were deducted. A total of 105 applications were reviewed in response to the FY 2017 RFA. A 21-member peer review panel evaluated the applications. The peer panel included faculty and administrators from land grant and non-land grant colleges and universities, and practitioners from the food and agricultural sciences community. Funds were available to support 19 awards in the following Grant Types: • Planning Activities [Five (5) awards] • Regular Projects [Six (6) awards] • Collaborative Grant Type 1 Projects [Four (4) awards] • Collaborative Grant Type 2 Projects [Four (4) awards] The funding ratio for this program in FY 2017 was 18%. Funded projects will address one (1) or more of the following educational strategies: (1) Curriculum Development, Instructional Delivery Systems and Expanding Student Career Opportunities; (2) Faculty Preparation and Enhancement for Teaching; and/or (3) Facilitating Interaction with Other Academic Institutions. The Higher Education Challenge (HEC) program seeks to improve formal, baccalaureate or master’s degree level food, agricultural, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH) education and first professional degree-level education in veterinary medicine (DVM). HEC projects may improve the economic health and viability of communities through the development of degree programs that emphasize new and emerging employment opportunities. Projects may also address the national challenge to increase the number and diversity of students entering the FANH sciences.
Fiscal Year 2018 In Fiscal Year (FY) 2018, $4,519,357 was available to support awards after legislatively authorized set-asides were deducted. A total of 116 applications were reviewed in response to the FY 2018 RFA. A 25-member peer review panel evaluated the applications. The peer panel included faculty and administrators from land grant and non-land grant colleges and universities, and practitioners from the food and agricultural sciences community. Funds were available to support 15 awards in the following Grant Types: • Planning Activities [Six (6) awards] • Regular Projects [one (1) awards] • Collaborative Grant Type 2 Projects [Four (4) awards] • Collaborative Grant Type 2 Projects [Four (4) awards] The funding ratio for this program in FY 2018 was 13%. Funded projects will address one (1) or more of the following educational strategies: (1) Curriculum Development, Instructional Delivery Systems and Expanding Student Career Opportunities; (2) Faculty Preparation and Enhancement for Teaching; and/or (3) Facilitating Interaction with Other Academic Institutions. The Higher Education Challenge (HEC) program seeks to improve formal, baccalaureate or master’s degree level food, agricultural, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH) education and first professional degree-level education in veterinary medicine (DVM). HEC projects may improve the economic health and viability of communities through the development of degree programs that emphasize new and emerging employment opportunities. Projects may also address the national challenge to increase the number and diversity of students entering the FANH sciences.
Fiscal Year 2019 In Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, it is anticipated that $4.5 million will be available to support awards after legislatively authorized set-asides are deducted. A total of 104 applications were received in response to the FY 2019 RFA. It is anticipated that approximately 20 awards will be granted in FY 2019. As of August 2019, the FY 2019 peer panel has not been convened to evaluate the merit of the submitted applications. Therefore, further information is not yet available. Pertinent data to be provided by Program at a future date.
Fiscal Year 2020 It is anticipated that the funding level will be comparable and the types of projects will be similar. Pertinent details will be provided by Program at a future date.
Fiscal Year 2024 Pertinent details will be provided by Program at a future date. National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, 7 U.S.C. 3152(b)(1)
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, Section 1405, 7 U.S.C. 3121,1417(b)(1) Applicants for the HEC must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Applications may be submitted by: 1. U.S. public or private nonprofit colleges and universities offering a baccalaureate or first professional degree in at least one discipline or area of the food and agricultural sciences; 2. land-grant colleges and universities, (including land grant institutions in the Insular Areas); 3. colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences; and 4. other colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences. Applicants for the HEC must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Applications may be submitted by: 1. U.S. public or private nonprofit colleges and universities offering a baccalaureate or first professional degree in at least one discipline or area of the food and agricultural sciences; 2. land-grant colleges and universities, (including land grant institutions in the Insular Areas); 3. colleges and universities having significant minority enrollments and a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences; and 4. other colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences. The System for Award Management (SAM) combines eight federal procurement systems, including CCR, and the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance into one new system. CCR activities are conducted through SAM (the CCR website will redirect users to SAM). Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number and System for Award Management (SAM): Each applicant (unless excepted under 2 CFR ? 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR ? 25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) Provide a valid UEI number in its application; and (iii) Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. It also must state that the Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant. Applicants must furnish the information required in the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs). Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process. These include, but are not limited to the following: Organizational Management Information - Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be submitted on a one time basis, with updates on an as needed basis, as part of the responsibility determination prior to the award of a grant identified under this RFA, if such information has not been provided previously under this or another NIFA program. NIFA will provide copies of forms recommended for use in fulfilling these requirements as part of the pre-award process. Although an applicant may be eligible based on its status as one of these entities, there are factors which may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits under this program (e.g., debarment or suspension of an individual involved or a determination that an applicant is not responsible based on submitted organizational management information). This information collection is approved under OMB Circular Control No. 0524-0026, "Assurance of Compliance with the Department of Agriculture Regulations Assuring Civil Rights, Compliance and Organization Information." SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available as follows: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/higher-education-challenge-hec-grants-program RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. Preapplication coordination is required. All RFAs are published on the Agency’s website and Grants.gov. Applicants must complete the Grants.gov registration process. Please see the following Grants.gov link for more information: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Formal proposals should be submitted to the Proposal Services Unit, NIFA, as outlined in the solicitation of applications. Application procedures are contained in the program regulations and required forms are contained in the Grant Application Kit. This program is subject to the regulatory provisions of USDA, 7 CFR Part 3015, et seq., and all successor regulations. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) only accepts electronic applications which are submitted via Grants.gov in response to specific Requests for Applications (RFA). Applicants must complete the Grants.gov registration process. For information about the pre-award phase of the grant lifecycle application processes see: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html. Further, applicants must follow the instructions provided in the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide, which can be assessed as follows: Adobe NIFA Applications. 2 CFR part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and 2 CFR part 400 USDA's Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards apply to this program. SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/higher-education-challenge-hec-grants-program RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. Applications should be submitted as outlined in the RFA. Applications must follow the instructions provided per Grants.Gov and in the Agency guide to submitting applications via Grants.gov. 2 CFR Part 200 - Subpart C and Appendix I apply to this program. 2 CFR Part 400 applies to this program. Applications are subjected to a system of peer and merit review in accordance with section 103 of the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613) by a panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Within the limit of funds available for such purpose, the NIFA Authorized Departmental Officer (ADO) shall make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in the RFA. Reviewers will be selected based upon training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors: (a) The level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities; (b) the need to include as reviewers experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields; (c) the need to include as reviewers other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs; (d) the need to include as reviewers experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and Federal agencies, private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations; (e) the need to maintain a balanced composition of reviewers with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and (f) the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness to producers and the general public of each application. Evaluation Criteria will be delineated in the Competitive Request for Applications (RFA). 2 CFR 200 - Subpart C and Appendix I and 2 CFR part 400 apply to this Program. SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/higher-education-challenge-hec-grants-program RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines From 30 to 60 days. Contact the National Program Leader (NPL), as indicated per CFDA Section # 152 - Headquarters Office regarding dates for specific deadlines, start and end dates, and range of approval/disapproval time. Information is also available via our website and may be obtained via the Grants.gov website. NIFA's respective links regarding general information are provided below: http://nifa.usda.gov/ http://www.grants.gov. SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for further specific and pertinent details. The most current RFA is available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/higher-education-challenge-hec-grants-program RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. Not Applicable. 2 CFR Part 200 - Subparts D & E apply to this program. Specific details are provided in the Request for Applications (RFA), which are generally published annually. The most current RFA is available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/higher-education-challenge-hec-grants-program 2 CFR part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards and 2 CFR part 400 USDA's Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards apply to this program. Within guidelines established for the program as described in the Competitive Request for Application (RFA). The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/higher-education-challenge-hec-grants-program Funds may be used only in targeted areas, e.g., curricula design and materials development, faculty preparation and enhancement for teaching, instruction delivery systems, scientific instrumentation for teaching, student experiential learning, and student recruitment and retention, as cited in the annual program announcement in the Federal Register. Performance Reports: PERFORMANCE MONITORING: See above for pertinent and specific details. This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General. Relation to other audit requirements, but records must be available for review or audit by appropriate officials of the Federal agency, pass-through entity, and Government Accountability Office (GAO). This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General. In accordance with 2 CFR Part 400 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, ? 200.334 Retention requirements for records. Grantees shall maintain separate records for each grant to ensure that funds are used for authorized purposes. Grant-related records are subject to inspection during the life of the grant and must be retained at least three (3) years. Records must be retained beyond the three (3) year period if litigation is pending or audit findings have not been resolved. 2 CFR 200 Subpart D applies to this program. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Grants are awarded for a one (1) to three (3) year period and may receive no-cost extensions as appropriate up to a maximum of five (5) years. 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D applies to this program. In accordance with statutory time limits, project periods, including no-cost extensions of time, are not to exceed five (5) years. Further details are provided in the Award document Form NIFA-2009 and the NIFA General Terms and Conditions Grants and Cooperative Agreements (dated October 2016) at: https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-general-terms-and-conditions-grants-and-cooperative-agreements-october-2016. SPECIAL NOTE: Please refer to the Competitive Request for Applications (RFAs) for specific and pertinent details. The most current RFAs are available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/higher-education-challenge-hec-grants-program RFAs are generally released annually. Hence, the RFAs provide the most current and accurate information available. Any specific instructions in the Competitive RFAs supersede the general information provided in the CFDA database. NIFA utilizes the Automated Standard Application for Payments (ASAP), a secure, web-based electronic payment and information system that allows federal agencies to administer funds. Currently, ASAP is the only payment source for new NIFA grantees. National Institute of Food and Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture P.O. Box 419205, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-6205 Courier/Package Delivery Address: 2312 East Bannister Road, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-3061 Solomon Haile
P.O. Box 419205, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-6205 Courier/Package Delivery Address: 2312 East Bannister Road, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-3061,
Kansas City, MO 64141
Kansas City, MO 64141 US
Solomon.haile@usda.gov
Phone: 6155174157 http://nifa.usda.gov/program/higher-education-challenge-grants-program 12-1500-0-1-352 (Project Grants) FY 23$4,500,000.00; FY 24 est $5,055,342.00; FY 25 FY 22$4,500,000.00; FY 21$4,500,000.00; FY 20$4,700,000.00; FY 19$4,522,025.00; FY 18$4,499,761.00; FY 17$4,565,475.00; FY 16$4,570,425.00; - The difference between the appropriation and obligation numbers reflects legislative authorized set-asides deducted as appropriate, and in some cases the availability of obligational authority from prior years. NOTES: (1) In terms of availability of appropriations (time), there are no time limits as to when "no-year" funds may be obligated and expended and the funds remain available for their original purposes until expended. (2) Effective in FY 2012, funding for three (3) Higher Education Programs: (Graduate Fellowships CFDA 10.210; Challenge CFDA 10.217; and Multicultural Scholars CFDA 10.220), were consolidated under a single funding line within the Research & Education Activities Account. However, different legislative authorities are applicable and separate Requests for Applications (RFAs) were issued under the respective CFDA numbers. (3) The President's FY 2016 Budget proposal consolidated STEM-related programs in budgets for the Department of Education or the National Science Foundation. If minimum or maximum amounts of funding per competitive and/or capacity project grant, or cooperative agreement are established, these amounts will be announced in the annual Competitive Request for Application (RFA). The most current RFA is available via: https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/higher-education-challenge-hec-grants-program As an administrator of U.S. government support, NIFA works in partnership with grantees to ensure responsible stewardship of federal funds. Our grantees and partners are required to comply with all relevant rules and regulations. The following resources are provided to NIFA's partners and award recipients to support their adherence to federal regulations governing program performance: NIFA's primary (main) website: https://nifa.usda.gov/regulations-and-guidelines The following represent specific documents and direct links: POLICY GUIDE NIFA's Federal Assistance Policy Guide describes agency policies and procedures. https://nifa.usda.gov/policy-guide CERTIFICATIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS Certifications and representations provided through the NIFA application process. https://nifa.usda.gov/certifications-and-representations ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF USDA SUPPORT BY NIFA When acknowledging USDA support in accordance with 2 CFR Part 415, grantees must use the following acknowledgement for all projects or initiatives supported by NIFA. https://nifa.usda.gov/acknowledgment-usda-support-nifa FEDERAL REGULATIONS The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) lists all regulations published in the Federal Register. https://nifa.usda.gov/federal-regulations FOIA The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides that any person has the right to request access to federal documents and information such as research data. https://nifa.usda.gov/foia NEPA POLICY AND GUIDANCE The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Policy and Guidance set the standard for identifying potential environmental impacts. https://nifa.usda.gov/nepa-policy-and-guidance OGFM ISSUED CORRESPONDENCE The Office of Grants and Financial Management occasionally issues correspondence to applicants, grantees, and/or the general public for informational or clarification purposes. https://nifa.usda.gov/ogfm-issued-correspondence RESEARCH MISCONDUCT NIFA requires that all its awardees adhere to the USDA Scientific Integrity Policy and the Federal Policy on Research Misconduct. https://nifa.usda.gov/research-misconduct NIFA'S GENERAL AWARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS Award terms and conditions are determined by statutory, regulatory, and agency requirements, as well as each grant's circumstances. Terms and conditions dictate important items related to your grant, including method of payment, reporting frequency and content, and prior approval requirements. References to the terms and conditions of awards are located on the NIFA 2009 Award Fact Sheet. NIFA's general award terms and conditions (see link below) is applicable to this program, for awards with an award date on December 26, 2014 and thereafter. https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-general-terms-and-conditions-grants-and-cooperative-agreements-october-2016. Fiscal Year 2016 No project data available. The peer review panel has not met to evaluate proposals that were submitted in response to the FY 2016 RFA. It is expected that funded projects will address one or more of the following educational strategies: (a) Curriculum Development, Instructional Delivery Systems and Expanding Student Career Opportunities; (b) Faculty Preparation and Enhancement for Teaching; and (c) Facilitating Interaction with Other Academic Institutions. Pertinent data to be provided by Program at a future date. A university is leading a project to develop the “Excellence in Education for Food, Energy, and Water (E2FEW)” project, which will support the development, implementation, and evaluation of a 24-month sustained professional development program for postsecondary food, agricultural, natural resources, and human (FANH) sciences faculty. The faculty development program is designed around core tenets of effective undergraduate STEM instruction, including active learning, scientific teaching strategies, and the use of Undergraduate Learning Assistants. A university was funded to: (1) improve the quality and relevance of fiber, textile, and apparel (FTA) curriculum and promote enhanced curriculum and instructional materials and methods; (2) attract, recruit, and retain more qualified and diverse students for the FTA sector; and (3) prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills to meet current and future workplace needs. A university was funded to expand the opportunities within its Urban Food Systems Master’s degree-level program in agriculture to include competencies (soft skills) in communication, problem solving, professionalism, teamwork, and leadership. A university is leading a project to strengthen animal welfare education in the veterinary curriculum, with emphasis on food animal production. Project objectives include development of: (1) an online 1-credit animal welfare course suitable for freshman level veterinary students; (2) animal welfare case studies suitable for integration in advanced veterinary courses; (3) 1-week rotations for swine and dairy cattle animal welfare assessment; (4) effective multiple-choice examination questions to evaluate student competency; and (5) a "roadmap" of existing educational opportunities to facilitate veterinary student specialization in animal welfare. A university was funded to lead a project that addresses the need to be ready and capable of solving global food security and hunger problems that span geo-political borders. The instructional opportunity addressed by this project is to reach graduate students in food and agricultural sciences by globalizing the curricula with contextually-rich reusable learning elements (RLEs) and authentic case studies. Instruction will be created in three (3) broad areas (Global Horticulture, Sustainable International Development, Human Health and Nutrition) with content experts creating the materials.
Fiscal Year 2017 1. A university is leading a project to develop a curriculum, evaluation plan, and implementation plan for a master’s degree in public health tracked in food safety and foodborne disease epidemiology. 2. A university is leading a project to produce food science cybersecurity professionals with Master’s level degrees capable of ensuring the safety of food systems by extending a Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate program. 3. A university is leading a project to develop and widely disseminate a comprehensive collection of competency-based educational resources on antimicrobial resistance to aid veterinary programs throughout the U.S. 4. A university is leading a multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary project is to prepare future agriculture, engineering, and natural resource managers to address the complexities of managing for multiple uses and working with stakeholders through the development of graduate student and faculty experiences in Systems Thinking (ST) and Systems Dynamics (SD). 5. A university is leading a project to facilitate collaborative interaction with education institutions, state departments of education, Extension, K-12 educators and students, professional associations, student organizations, and industry partners on a nationwide basis to recruit, prepare, and support FCS educators.
Fiscal Year 2018 A university will support the creation of an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) certification development plan. The project focuses on UAS as a platform technology and will provide multiple entry points for students with diverse interests and backgrounds, promote systems thinking, and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. The project will build upon the existing teaching, research, and extension activities at university to develop an innovative UAS curriculum plan, as well as, deep UAS industry engagements and partnerships, which will be leveraged to recruit, retain and support underrepresented students. A university will use turfgrass science as an entryway to the broader field of plant sciences by exposing underrepresented groups to a STEM based field of study in pursuit of an undergraduate degree. Traditionally, students that enter this career field do so because they were exposed to it through activities, often surrounding being an athlete and having to take care of the field. There is very little diversity in the students that make up this field, and ultimately the workforce. This project will collect diversity data from 5 institutions and the major trade associations, and hosting a meeting of members from these institutions and trade associations to discuss the diversity data, devise campaigns and strategies to increase diversity. A university will enhance its food science department by developing a course for undergraduate students focused at the interface between food science and nutrition, for designing the future generation of foods for health. Curricular materials will be developed using the “flipped classroom” method. These resources will include Internet-mediated course contents, such as video tutorials, virtual experiments, group quizzes, group discussion questions, and problem sets. A university will address the gap in teaching certification degree programs in wildlife ecology and management courses by increasing the number of post-secondary students and educational professionals trained in food, agricultural, natural resources, and human sciences (FANH). The project will support a 4-day workshop of immersive learning experiences, so they can integrate FANH topics in greater depth in their education programs. A university will improve teaching and learning of non-engineering students in Food Processing and Food Engineering courses through applying and evaluating evidence-based, student-centered innovative instructional delivery methods across 6-Universtiies in three regions on the US. The overall goal will be to enhance student learning experiences and solve real-world problems.
Fiscal Year 2019 Project data is not yet available. The peer review panel has not met to evaluate proposals that were submitted in response to the FY 2019 RFA. It is anticipated that funded projects will address one (1) or more of the following educational strategies: (1) Curriculum Development, Instructional Delivery Systems and Expanding Student Career Opportunities; (2) Faculty Preparation and Enhancement for Teaching; and (3) Facilitating Interaction with Other Academic Institutions. Pertinent data to be provided by Program at a future date.
Fiscal Year 2020 Pertinent data to be provided by Program at a future date.
Fiscal Year 2024 Pertinent data to be provided by Program at a future date.