The Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, administered by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), seeks to enhance the research capacity of 1994 American Indian Land-Grant Institutions (Tribal Colleges and Universities or TCUs). The program aims to develop research initiatives that address critical concerns of tribal, state, and national significance. A total of approximately $7.2 million is available for FY 2024, with funding derived from multiple fiscal years.

TCUs are encouraged to submit applications to support a variety of research projects that align with the USDA’s strategic goals, such as combating climate change, fostering an equitable agricultural marketplace, improving food security, and enhancing economic development in rural and tribal communities. These projects should incorporate collaboration with approved research institutions, including 1862 or 1890 land-grant universities, the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Non-Land-Grant Colleges of Agriculture (NLGCA), or McIntire-Stennis forestry schools. The inclusion of a student component is mandatory, ensuring that 1994 students gain valuable research experience.

The TCRGP offers different grant types, each with distinct funding levels. The 1994 Research Capacity Center Grant can award up to $2.5 million to a single multi-institutional project that seeks to expand research capabilities across at least three 1994 institutions. The Area of Expertise Grant offers up to $650,000 for projects that enhance existing research, while the New Discovery Research Grant provides up to $350,000 for innovative research projects that address tribal issues. The Applied Faculty/Community Grant and Conference Grants provide up to $150,000 each to support community-driven research and convene groups addressing tribal community needs.

Applications are accepted through three phases, with deadlines of July 20, October 1, and December 31, 2024. Each phase has a specific allocation of funds, with unspent amounts rolling over to subsequent phases. The application process is competitive, with NIFA evaluating proposals based on their potential to enhance research quality, cooperative linkages, institutional capacity-building, and cost-effectiveness.

Eligibility is limited to designated 1994 institutions, and no cost-sharing is required. Applicants must submit proposals through Grants.gov and include a detailed project narrative, budget, and collaboration agreements. A data management plan is also required, detailing how research data, particularly sensitive indigenous knowledge, will be protected. Proposals must include a mentoring plan if students or postdoctoral researchers are involved.

This program provides TCUs with critical resources to conduct agricultural research that addresses the unique needs of tribal communities, builds institutional research capacity, and fosters student engagement in scientific inquiry.