Higher Education Challenge Grants Program
- Posted
- August 5, 2026
- Closed
- October 15, 2026
- Award ceiling
- $750,000
- Award floor
- $150,000
- Program funding
- $5,700,000
- Expected awards
- 36
- Cost sharing
- No
- Instrument
- Grant
- Assistance listing
- 10.217
- Category
- Agriculture
- Archives
- November 14, 2026
Program funding history
Awards made under Assistance Listing 10.217 across FY2025–FY2027, from public federal spending records.
- FY2025 obligated
- −$248,978
- FY2026 obligated
- −$667,374
- FY2027 (to date) obligated
- $0
- Awards in window
- 60
No net new obligations were recorded under this listing in the window shown: downward adjustments to earlier awards offset or exceeded new awards in every year. Awards in window counts awards with at least one recorded transaction in the window, adjustments included.
Top recipients: Texas A&m University-san Antonio, Texas State University, University of Alabama, Ohio State University, the, University of California, Davis
Source: USAspending.gov · refreshed October 2026
Synopsis
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).
Who can apply
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Eligibility Requirements Land-grant Institutions and other colleges and universities having a demonstrable capacity to carry out the teaching of food and agricultural sciences and confer a graduate degree in at least one discipline or area of food and agricultural sciences are eligible to apply. Institutions offering degrees should be accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Research foundations maintained by an eligible college or university are eligible. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply, provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. Individuals are not eligible to apply for these grants to support their own graduate education.
The official record
Grants.gov published the official terms and dates of this opportunity; this page keeps them as they were listed.
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