The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Education and Workforce Development (EWD) competitive grants program, managed by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), is dedicated to addressing workforce shortages in agricultural, food, and renewable natural resource sectors in the U.S. economy. For fiscal years 2023 and 2024, AFRI EWD has allocated approximately $49 million each year to fund research, education, and extension projects under six program areas. These grants are designed to support educational initiatives that develop agricultural literacy, workforce training, and experiential learning in food and agricultural sciences for diverse student populations, ranging from K-14 educational professionals to postdoctoral scholars.

The program's objectives are to improve agricultural literacy, develop workforce training programs at community colleges, encourage non-formal education in food and agricultural sciences, provide undergraduate students with research and extension experiences, and support predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships in related fields. Specific funding opportunities within these categories are structured to address each stage of the workforce development pipeline and to encourage diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. NIFA emphasizes partnerships with minority-serving institutions, small to mid-sized institutions, and those in EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) states, as well as international collaboration for projects that demonstrate benefits to U.S. agriculture.

Grants are available in several types based on the project area, including Standard and FASE (Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement) grants, which provide additional funding for specific educational and research priorities. Standard grants fund research, education, extension, or integrated projects. FASE grants focus on enhancing the competitiveness of science programs and strengthening institutions, offering unique opportunities for institutions with limited federal funding histories. Each project type must align with one of AFRI's six Farm Bill priorities, which include plant and animal health, food safety, natural resource management, bioenergy, agricultural technology, and rural economic development.

Eligibility for funding varies by project type. For single-function projects, eligible applicants include colleges, universities, nonprofit organizations, and tribal entities, among others. Integrated projects, which combine research, education, and extension components, are limited to colleges and universities, including 1994 Land-Grant Institutions and Hispanic-serving agricultural colleges. Matching funds are required for equipment and certain research projects unless a waiver is granted. NIFA will prioritize "Center of Excellence" (COE) applications that demonstrate innovative research and strong public-private partnerships to maximize agricultural benefits for rural communities.

Application requirements include a project summary, narrative, budget, data management plan, and a mentoring plan for certain program areas. Specific guidelines for formatting, deadlines, and submission instructions are detailed in the application guide on Grants.gov. Applications are screened for eligibility and undergo a two-part evaluation, including administrative review and scientific peer review by experts from diverse fields. Selection criteria focus on a project's potential impact on agricultural education and workforce development, adherence to program priorities, and the involvement of underrepresented groups.

The submission deadlines for each program area vary, with final dates typically set in the late summer to fall of each fiscal year. Notifications are sent to applicants within 30 days after the review process, and successful applicants must ensure compliance with USDA regulations and NIFA's terms and conditions. The program encourages early submission, and applicants can track their applications through Grants.gov and the eRA Commons platform.