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Higher Education Challenge Grants Program
National Institute of Food and Agriculture · USDA-NIFA-CGP-011315 · Deadline: October 15, 2026 · Advertised ceiling: $750k
Program-level history — this opportunity doesn't publish per-opportunity awards, so these numbers describe its parent program (CFDA 10.217, Higher Education - Institution Challenge Grants Program), not this competition alone. Labeled that way on purpose.
50 unique recipients in the sample; 19 repeat winners.
range $14k – $750k
Ask-amount guidance
Applicants here typically receive far less than the advertised ceiling: the program median is $150k against a $750k ceiling (20%). Budgets far above the median need a story; budgets far below leave money on the table.
Draw-down reality (program)
Across 27 completed awards in this program (FY2021+ sample, USAspending outlay records), grantees ultimately drew a median 100% of obligated funds. A median well under 100% means underspend or early closure is common here — worth knowing before promising a spend-down timeline.
Listing summary
The purpose of HEC, under assistance listing 10.217, is to strengthen institutional capacities, including curriculum, faculty, scientific instrumentation, and student recruitment and retention. The HEC program is focused on developing and improving formal master’s or doctorate degree-level food and agricultural sciences education and first professional degree-level education in veterinary medicine, such as a doctorate in veterinary medicine (DVM).
Eligibility: Others · Categories: Agriculture · official listing ↗
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Sources: NIH RePORTER (opportunity-exact) and USAspending (program-level), labeled per section. GrantsDue computes summaries only; verify anything critical against the originals. Methodology.