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NIFA supports research, educational, and extension efforts in a wide range of scientific fields related to agricultural and behavioral sciences.

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The lifecycle of grants and cooperative agreements consists of four phases: Pre-Award, Award, Post-Award, and Close Out.

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        Access Data GatewayThe Data Gateway enables users to find funding data, metrics, and information about research, education, and extension projects that have received grant awards from NIFA.
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    View Resources PageThis website houses a large volume of supporting materials. In this section, you can search the wide range of documents, videos, and other resources.View Resources Page
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    Second Annual Virtual Grants Support Technical Assistance Workshop
    Check out this five-day workshop in March 2024 workshop, designed to help you learn about NIFA grants and resources for grants development and management.

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The National Institute of Food and Agriculture provides leadership and funding for programs that advance agriculture-related sciences.

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    Community VitalitySharePrint Friendly Email Twitter Facebook
    
    Human Sciences
      Community Vitality
          Family Well-Being
          YouthThe Importance of Community Vitality

What differentiates a thriving community from one that struggles? When choosing to put down roots, what are the “deal makers and breakers” that families and businesses cite? Is there a formula that can be employed that communities can aim for to increase their chances of long term vitality and growth? These are among the many questions land-grant universities and community and economic development extension specialists seek to answer through sound science and education. Through exploration of key community and economic development interests like leadership, workforce development, entrepreneurship, civic engagement/volunteerism, community planning and disaster preparedness, faculty and agents discover and share evidence-based and promising practices that build upon existing strengths, while responding to community concerns.

The Division of Family & Consumer Sciences (DFCS) supports community vitality by focusing on the socio-economic potential of rural/urban interdependence and addressing the critical needs of people and places through:

Workforce Development
	Community Resource and Economic Development
	Rural Health and Safety
	Urban ExtensionNIFA’s community vitality portfolio is critical to family well-being and supports Research & Evaluation.

NIFA’s Impacts

In partnership with the Land-Grant University and Cooperative Extension System, DFCS supports research, education, and extension work to build strong, vibrant, and sustainable communities by:

Growth of local economies and businesses
	More affordable and energy-efficient housing
	More efficient use of public and private resources
	Increased rural vitality and farm sustainability
	Enhanced rural-urban interdependenceNIFA’s Community Vitality portfolio utilizes Regional Rural Development Centers as a primary vehicle to organize multi-disciplinary teams around these impacts.

  Programs
    Financial Capability
              Community and Economic Development
              Housing and Environmental Health
              Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
              The Hatch Act of 1887 (Multistate Research Fund)
              Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR)
              Women and Minorities in STEM (WAMS)
              Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program
              SPECA Grant Program
              Rural Health and Safety
              Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans (AgVets)
              About EFNEP
              Urban, Indoor, and Emerging Agriculture
              Equipment Grants Program (EGP)
              Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program
              Extension COVID Immunization Training and Education (EXCITE)
              Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN)
              ARPTAI Cooperators
              Workforce Development
              From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals (NextGen)

  Funding Opportunities
    Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational and Applied Science Program
              Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) (Joint NSF) Competitive Grants Program
              Children, Youth, and Families at Risk Sustainable Community Projects
              Children, Youth and Families at Risk Professional Development and Technical Assistance Program
              Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Youth Support and Internship Program
              Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program
              Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions (1890 COEs)
              Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program
              Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program
              4-H Military Extension Educator Program Return to top
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