1890 Institution Teaching, Research, and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program

The 1890 Institution Teaching, Research, and Extension Capacity Building Grants (1890 CBG) Program, managed by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture under Assistance Listing Number 10.216, aims to enhance the institutional capacities of eligible HBCUs. The program focuses on attracting and educating students in food and agricultural sciences, strengthening linkages between 1890 Universities and other federal or academic entities, and supporting innovative projects in education, research, and extension. Total available funding is approximately 56 million dollars for FY 2026 and 28 million dollars for FY 2027. Funding is available through four grant types: Standard and Collaborative grants with minimums of 50,000 dollars and maximums ranging from 300,000 to 750,000 dollars; Professional Development grants up to 150,000 dollars; and Workshop grants capped at 50,000 dollars. Indirect costs are limited to 30 percent of total federal funds, and subcontracting is capped at 50 percent without prior approval. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by November 4, 2026, for FY 2026, and August 25, 2027, for FY 2027. Awards are granted based on merit through a two-part process consisting of an administrative screening and a scientific peer review. Key evaluation criteria include the potential for building institutional capacity, personnel qualifications, budget cost-effectiveness, and the feasibility of data management plans. Faculty are limited to serving as Project Director on no more than two active 1890 CBG projects. Required application materials include a project summary, project narrative, budget justification, and an institutional letter on official letterhead.