United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

A.Linares-Gaffer (Nutritional Sciences) 

The purpose of the Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP), Assistance Listing 10.220, is to provide scholarships to support recruiting, engaging, retaining, mentoring, and training committed multicultural scholars, resulting in either baccalaureate degrees within the food and agricultural science disciplines or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degrees. The goals and objectives of the scholarships are to encourage outstanding students from groups that are historically underrepresented and underserved to pursue and complete baccalaureate degrees in food and agricultural sciences, or achieve a D.V.M., that would lead to a diverse and highly skilled work force. This may or may not include the teaching and preservation of traditional ecological knowledge.

A. Mostafa (Maricopa County Cooperative Extension)

The purpose of Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements is to leverage NRCS and partner resources by developing community-led conservation projectsso that historically underserved producers and underserved communities will be able to access NRCS programs and services and learn of potential career opportunities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences. Through this NFO, eligible applicants may propose projects that engage historically underserved producers and underserved communities equitably and offer access to opportunities through outreach activities that: 

• promote NRCS programs through education or demonstration of conservation practices;
• develop community conservation partnerships that encourage historically underserved producers to plan and protect farmland ecosystems, watersheds, and wildlife habitat in geographical areas of underserved communities;
• inform small-scale or urban agriculture producers about participation in conservation programs; and
• support education on, planning for, and adoption of conservation practicesthat are climate smart.

Applicants are encouraged to showcase the local environmental and economic value of adopting conservation measures through various methods, such as training and demonstrations. Eligible applicants should consider outreach that is mutually beneficial to both the communities and NRCS,such as partnershipsthat incorporate local needs and prioritize conservation investments. Such outreach should increase awareness of NRCS programs, services, and career opportunities in agriculture and natural resources conservation within historically underserved producers and underserved communities.

A. Mostafa

UArizona may submit one application as the lead.

RDS is evaluating the solicitation and institutionally coordinating a response. Contact RDS for more details

The primary objective of the RISE program is to support jobs accelerator partnerships to improve the ability of distressed rural and energy communities to create high wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, and help rural communities identify and maximize local assets.

UArizona may submit one application.

The Office of Outreach and Partnerships Division (OPD) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides leadership and funding to ensure that all programs and services are made accessible to all NRCS customers, fairly and equitably, with emphasis on reaching the underserved and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers and landowners. In this RFA, NRCS requests applications for four OPD priority areas through the Racial Equity and Justice Conservation Cooperative Agreements. The goal of this outreach is for NRCS in collaboration with partners to expand the delivery of conservation assistance to historically underserved farmers and ranchers, including socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning, tribal and veteran. Proposals should support activities that introduce the concepts of climate-smart agriculture and to assist producers with planning and implementation of conservation practices and principles.

M. Brogden

I. Mpanga

R. Tronstad

No applicants.