This funding record is inactive. Please see the program website or contact the program sponsor to determine if this program is currently accepting applications or will open again in the future.
Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS)
Link
Additional Links
Notice of Funding Opportunity (Grants.gov)
Deadline
Application Deadline: Feb 9, 2024
Sponsor
National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
Purpose
Awards funding to increase the number of women and underrepresented minorities from rural areas participating in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Supports research, education, and extension projects that target K-12 students as well as students in 2-year post-secondary programs, such as vocational/technical institutions or community/junior colleges. Helps prepare students to enter STEM fields in higher education with the goal of developing a qualified workforce in food and agriculture. Proposals should develop education and extension initiatives focused on new and emerging employment opportunities in STEM occupations for women and underrepresented minorities focused on strengthening rural economies.
Additional information on program priorities, need areas, applied projects, and expected outcomes can be found in the program guidance.
Under this opportunity, rural areas are defined as any locality with a population of 50,000 inhabitants or less and is generally characterized as having fewer that 1,000 inhabitants per square mile, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Amount of Funding
Award ceiling: $200,000
Project period: 2 - 3 years
Estimated number of continuation awards:
9
Estimated total program funding:
$1,800,000
A dollar-for-dollar funding match with cash or in-kind contributions from non-federal sources is required. More information about cost matching and conditions under which the matching requirement may be waived are available in the program guidance.
Who Can Apply
Applications may be submitted by:
- State agricultural experiment stations
- Colleges and universities
- University research foundations
- Other research institutions and organizations
- Federal agencies
- National laboratories
- Private organizations or corporations
- Individuals
Geographic Coverage
Nationwide
What This Program Funds
New Program • Operating Costs and Staffing
Application Process
Application instructions, requirements, and other information is available in the funding announcement.
Contact
For programmatic or technical
questions:
Christopher Green
856-328-7396
christopher.green@usda.gov
For programmatic or technical
questions:
Donna Hiatt
816-702-9678
donna.hiatt@usda.gov
Rural Awards
Past awards communities have received are described on the program website.
One rural organization that received funding is the University of Arkansas at Monticello in Arkansas which will implement a near-peer mentorship program to recruit and retain rural women and minority students into the College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources (CFANR). 10 student per year will be partnered with current CFANR student mentors to pursue science projects and competitions to help prepare participants for forestry STEM studies in college.
Topics This Program Addresses
Education and Training • Women • Youth