New Beginning for Tribal Students Program

National Institute of Food and Agriculture · USDA

CFDA Numbers

10.527

Award Ceiling

$500K

Award Floor

$250K

Expected Awards

Close Date

Jul 2, 2026

Section I

How to Apply

Apply Online ↗

View on grants_gov ↗

Program Contact

NIFA Support Email grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov <br/>Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays
grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov

Cost Sharing Matching funds required.

Section II

Eligibility

Applicants for the NBTS program must meet all the requirements discussed in this NOFO. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s About Grants provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process. To be eligible to apply for the New Beginning for Tribal Students (NBTS) program, the applying entity must be an 1862, 1890 or 1994 Land-grant College or University. Unless otherwise specified, only United States citizens, non-citizen nationals of the United States, and lawful permanent residents of the United States are eligible to apply for and receive NIFA awards.

Eligible Applicant Types

Section III

Description

The purpose of the NBTS grant program, Assistance Listing 10.527, is to increase the retention and graduation rate of Tribal students attending 1994, 1862, and 1890 Land-grant Institutions. The primary goals and objectives of the program are for Land-grant Colleges or Universities to use NBTS funding to support Tribal students through all the following, but not limited to: recruiting; tuition and related fees; experiential learning; student services, including tutoring; counseling; academic advising; and other student services that would increase the retention and graduation rate of Tribal students enrolled at Land-grant Colleges or Universities.

Section IV

Key Dates

Posted: May 19, 2026
Closes: Jul 2, 2026
Archive: Aug 1, 2026