A M E R I C A N R E S C U E P L A N A C T S E C T I O N 1 0 0 6 , 

AS AMENDED BY THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT

USDA NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND 

AGRICULTURE COMPONENTS 

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Section 1006, as amended by Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act, provides funding 

for USDA to take action to ensure underserved producers have the tools, programs and support they need to succeed. The BidenHarris Administration is committed to advancing equity as a key priority. 

These provisions include funding and direction for USDA to support eligible minority-serving institutions in developing 

scholarships and programs that provide career development opportunities and pathways to federal employment for the 

next generation of food and agriculture professionals. Eligible institutions are the 1890 Land-grant Institutions and Tuskegee 

University (HBCUs), 1994 Land-grant Institutions (Tribal Colleges), Alaska Native-serving institutions and Native Hawaiian-serving 

institutions, certified Hispanic-serving institutions, and insular area institutions of higher education located in the U.S. territories.

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture manages the following three components of the ARPA Section 1006 funding.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INVESTMENT PROGRAM

• Provides approximately $75 million to 20 cooperators to provide technical assistance to connect underserved producers with 

USDA programs and services.

• Through cooperative agreements, the organizations’ respective awards range from approximately $1 million to $10 million for up 

to five years.

• Cooperators work closely with USDA to ensure technical assistance directly benefits economically distressed recipients who 

have limited access to resources or are veterans.

• Cooperators include organizations such as the National Black Farmers Association, Intertribal Agricultural Council, National 

Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association and Farmers Veteran Coalition.

• Work is underway.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE INVESTMENT PROGRAM

• Will provide a minimum of $25 million in additional funding, with maximum funding level dependent on quality of applications 

received through a request for application (RFA) solicitation.

• Eligible applicants are U.S.-based non-profit/not-for-profit non-governmental organizations and U.S. institutions of higher 

education. 

• Cooperators funded under the first portion were ineligible to apply for this RFA as a lead applicant.

• The RFA closed June 1. Awards are anticipated Fall 2022.

FROM LEARNING TO LEADING: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and 

Agriculture Professionals (NEXTGEN) Program (subsection (d))

• Will provide up to $250 million to support eligible institutions who serve diverse and underserved students and other 

communities of learners. 

• Eligible institutions will build and sustain the next generation of the food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences 

workforce and prepare students for the expansive array of careers across research, education and Extension, especially federal 

government employment opportunities. 

• Applications are due October 25, 2022.

INVESTING IN SCIENCE | SECURING OUR FUTURE | WWW.NIFA.USDA.GOV | 08/22

USDA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER, EMPLOYER AND LENDER