Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA WAMS 007852
The Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS) is a discretionary grant program run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) focused on expanding STEM participation among women and underrepresented minorities who come from rural communities. The core aim is not just increasing interest in STEM in a general sense, but building practical, measurable pathways that move people into STEM education and careers connected to food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences (often grouped as FANH sciences). Projects are expected to strengthen the talent pipeline and produce a more competent, qualified workforce in these fields, with a clear emphasis on outcomes that support rural communities.
WAMS funds projects across three main activity areas: research, education/teaching, and extension. In practice, that means applicants can propose research initiatives that address FANH-related challenges while engaging and developing rural women and minority participants; education projects that improve teaching, training, curriculum, mentorship, and hands-on learning; and extension efforts that deliver community-facing programs, outreach, and applied learning opportunities that connect rural residents with modern STEM skills. A recurring theme in the program description is workforce development tied to real economic opportunity, so strong proposals typically connect training and participation to emerging jobs and new employment needs in STEM fields related to agriculture and rural resource systems.
A major program priority is rural economic health and viability. NIFA positions WAMS as a way to help rural communities stay competitive by preparing residents for new and evolving STEM occupations, especially those linked to innovation in agriculture, food systems, conservation, environmental monitoring, bio-based products, and other FANH-related sectors. Proposals that directly contribute to the economic viability of rural areas are encouraged, meaning applicants should show how their activities could support local employers, strengthen regional industry capacity, improve community resilience, or create clearer routes to good jobs and entrepreneurship in STEM.
Eligibility is defined in federal statute. Under Section 7204 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (which amended earlier law at 7 U.S.C. 5925), applications may be submitted by a broad set of entities: state agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations or corporations; and individuals. Even with that broad list, applicants still have to satisfy all requirements laid out in the Request for Applications (RFA). If an applicant does not meet eligibility criteria by the deadline, the application can be excluded from review or make it impossible for NIFA to issue an award.
Administratively, the opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA WAMS 007852, with CFDA number 10.318, and the funding instrument is a grant. The opportunity shows an award ceiling of $100,000. It was created on 2020-10-15 with an original closing date of 2021-01-21. NIFA also flags a strict rule against duplicate or multiple submissions: if an applicant submits more than one version or otherwise duplicates submissions, NIFA will disqualify both applications. For organizations or individuals new to federal assistance, NIFA points applicants to its Grants Overview resource to help navigate the federal grants process and expectations.
Overall, WAMS is best understood as a targeted capacity-building and workforce pipeline program: it supports FANH-focused STEM projects that combine research, education, and extension to expand opportunity for rural women and underrepresented minorities, while also tying those efforts to rural economic growth, job readiness, and long-term community viability.Apply for USDA NIFA WAMS 007852
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.318.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-10-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-01-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $100,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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