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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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    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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    SPECA Grant ProgramSharePrint Friendly Email Twitter Facebook
    
    Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program
                            Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants (SPECA) Program
                              Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program
                              Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) Program
                              National Awards for Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences ProgramThe future of research in the food, forestry and consumer sciences depends on engaging children and teens in science. Community colleges also build an agricultural workforce. This grant supports the teachers and schools that make learning and engagement their passion.

  The Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants (SPECA) program seeks to: (a) promote and strengthen secondary education and two-year postsecondary education in the food, agriculture, natural resources and human (FANH) sciences in order to help ensure the existence in the United States of a qualified workforce to serve the FANH sciences system; and (b) promote complementary and synergistic linkages among secondary, two-year postsecondary, and higher education programs in the FANH sciences in order to advance excellence in education and encourage more young Americans to pursue and complete a baccalaureate or higher degree in the FANH sciences.Who Is Eligible to ApplyIndependent School DistrictsOther or Additional Information (See below)State Controlled Institutions of Higher EdMore Information on EligibilityApplications may be submitted by eligible public secondary schools, public or private, nonprofit junior or community colleges, and nonprofit organizations. Important: see RFA for specific eligibility requirements.

  Program type
    Grant Program

  Contact
    Christopher Green

  Program Specific Resources
    SPECA Proposal - Evaluation Plan Development (pdf - 188.28 KB)
              SPECA Project Summary Template (pdf - 59.66 KB)
              SPECA FAQs (pdf - 162.01 KB)

  Funding Opportunities
    Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program

  External Resources
    SPECA FY24 Technical Assistance Webinar, recorded January 25, 2024
              Previously Funded Awards

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