USDA-NIFA's investments in minorities serving institutions

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) provides leadership and funding for programs that advance agricultural, food, and environmental science. NIFA uses an integrated approach to ensure scientific discoveries reach the people who can put them to use. Working with researchers across the U.S. through partnerships with the Land-Grant University System and government, private, and non-profit organizations, our research, education, and extension programs provide solutions to nationwide societal challenges. NIFA has a long history of supporting entomological research and invests heavily in insect pest management and pollinator health. NIFA also has strong partnerships with historically black land-grant universities (1890s). However, funding disparities remain a great concern across the academic landscape. In this presentation, we will provide an overview of NIFA's flagship grant portfolio, Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), which designates a portion of funds to minority-serving institutions via Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants. We will also give an update on new initiatives and programs aimed at improving funding rates for minority-serving institutions (e.g. 1890s, 1994s, and Hispanic Serving Institutions).