The purpose of the DEG program, under assistance listing number 10.322, is to strengthen the capacity of institutions of higher education in insular areas to carry out resident instruction, curriculum, and teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences through distance education technology. Projects funded by the DEG program support the creation, adaptation, and adoption of learning materials and teaching strategies to operationalize best practices for student learning. DEG-funded projects must also focus on imparting both technical knowledge as well as employability skills like communication, teamwork, and problem solving.
Closed on Jun 15, 2026
Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas
National Institute of Food and Agriculture · Opportunity number USDA-NIFA-RIGP-011716
Details summarized from the official notice as of Jun 16, 2026. Always confirm eligibility, deadlines and requirements in the official notice before applying.
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This opportunity is closed as of Jun 15, 2026.
It is kept here for reference. See the related open opportunities below, or check the official listing in case the agency posts a new cycle.
Key facts
| Opportunity number | USDA-NIFA-RIGP-011716 |
|---|---|
| Agency | National Institute of Food and Agriculture Department of Agriculture |
| Assistance listing (ALN, formerly CFDA) | 10.322 |
| Posted | Apr 29, 2026 |
| Deadline | Jun 15, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | $200,000 |
| Award floor | $10,000 |
| Expected number of awards | 5 |
| Estimated total program funding | $1,000,000 |
| Cost sharing or matching required | No |
| Funding type | Grant |
| Category | Agriculture |
| Last updated here | Jun 16, 2026 |
Summary from the notice
Who can apply
The official notice lists these applicant types as eligible:
- Others named in the notice (see the eligibility text)
Not listed as eligible
- Small businesses
- Nonprofits
- Colleges and universities
- State governments
- Local governments
- Tribal governments and organizations
- Larger for-profit companies
- Individuals
Unless the eligibility text in the notice names you, this opportunity is probably not for you.
Eligibility details from the notice
For the purposes of the DEG program, an eligible institution is an institution of higher education, as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1995 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)), that is located in an insular area and that has a demonstrable capacity to carry out teaching and Extension programs in the food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. All public or nonprofit two-year and four-year accredited institutions of higher education that offer certificate/degree programs in food and agricultural sciences are eligible. Individual Land-grant Colleges and Universities, and other institutions that have secured Land-grant status through Federal legislation, and which are located in insular areas are automatically eligible for awards under the DEG grant program as direct individual applicants. The eight insular areas are as follows: 1. American Samoa 2. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 3. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 4. The Federated States of Micronesia 5. Guam 6. The Republic of the Marshall Islands 7. The Republic of Palau 8. The United States Virgin Islands Branch Institutions of a State System. Individual branches of a State university system or public system of higher education that are separately accredited as degree-granting institutions are treated as separate, individual institutions eligible to apply for and receive awards, provided they otherwise satisfy the definition of "eligible institution" as specified above....
Registrations you will likely need
Most applications submitted through Grants.gov need the following. Registration can take several weeks, so start early. The notice lists the exact requirements.
- SAM.gov registration for your organization, which also gives you a Unique Entity ID (UEI). Registration is free.
- A Login.gov account, which Grants.gov uses for sign-in.
- A Grants.gov applicant registration linked to your organization's UEI.
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