Tribal Colleges Extension Program Special Emphasis

The Tribal Colleges Extension Program Special Emphasis (TCEP-SE), solicitation number USDA-NIFA-SLBCD-012281, is a competitive grant opportunity issued by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The program provides funding for informal, community-focused extension pilot projects and workshops at 1994 Land-grant Institutions. These projects are designed to address emerging community needs, including agricultural productivity, food systems improvement, community vitality, public health, workforce and economic development, and the engagement of Tribal youth and future agricultural leaders. The scope also encourages the use of innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence, for food and agricultural sciences. The total anticipated program funding is 1.5 million dollars, with individual award ranges between 50,000 and 200,000 dollars. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by November 2, 2026. Eligible applicants are limited to colleges and universities designated as 1994 Institutions. The evaluation process consists of an initial administrative screening followed by a scientific peer-review process. Key application requirements include a project summary of 250 words or less, a project narrative not exceeding 10 pages of text, and a data management plan. Notably, indirect costs are not permitted, and applicants must demonstrate the expertise of personnel in working on reservations with Tribal communities.