Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 012120
The Tribal Colleges Extension Program - Capacity Applications (TCEP-CA) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 10.517. The program is designed to support informal, community-based extension projects led by Tribal colleges and universities. These projects are meant to deliver practical education, outreach, and locally relevant programming that directly serves Tribal communities, with topic areas that can include agriculture, youth development, economic development, healthy lifestyles, natural resources, and other priorities identified by the communities themselves.
This particular Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) launches a new four-year continuation funding cycle. In practice, that means the competition is structured around multi-year capacity-building work, where funded institutions are expected to sustain and grow extension activities over time rather than run a short, one-off project. The NOFO emphasizes that applicants must meet every eligibility and application requirement described in the announcement. Missing eligibility criteria or failing to meet submission requirements by the deadline can lead to an application being removed from consideration or otherwise prevent NIFA from issuing an award.
Eligibility is limited strictly to colleges and universities that are legally designated as 1994 Institutions (Tribal Colleges and Universities recognized under federal legislation). Applications cannot be submitted by other types of entities, even if they partner with a Tribal college. The eligible institutions listed in the opportunity include: Aaniiih Nakoda College; Bay Mills Community College; Blackfeet Community College; Cankdeska Cikana Community College; Chief Dull Knife College; College of the Menominee Nation; College of the Muscogee Nation; Dine College; Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College; Fort Peck Community College; Haskell Indian Nations University; Ilisagvik College; Institute of American Indian Arts; Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College; Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa University; Leech Lake Tribal College; Little Big Horn College; Little Priest Tribal College; Navajo Technical University; Nebraska Indian Community College; Northwest Indian College; Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College; Oglala Lakota College; Red Lake Nation College; Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College; Salish Kootenai College; Sinte Gleska University; Sisseton Wahpeton College; Sitting Bull College; Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute; Stone Child College; Tohono Oodham Community College; Turtle Mountain Community College; United Tribes Technical College; and White Earth Tribal and Community College.
Key funding details provided in the source data include an award ceiling of $300,000, with an estimated 35 awards expected. The opportunity is categorized under Agriculture, uses the grant funding instrument, and is identified by Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA SLBCD 012120. The original application closing date is August 14, 2026, and the opportunity record was created on June 12, 2026. For applicants that are newer to federal financial assistance, NIFA points prospective applicants to its "About Grants" resources to help institutions understand federal grant processes and expectations before submitting.Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 012120
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Tribal Colleges Extension Program - Capacity Applications" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.517.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-12.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-14. (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 $300,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 35 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Tribal Colleges Extension Program - Capacity Applications (TCEP-CA) FAQs
What is the Tribal Colleges Extension Program - Capacity Applications (TCEP-CA)?
TCEP-CA is a discretionary grant opportunity from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under Assistance Listing (CFDA) 10.517. It supports informal, community-based extension projects led by Tribal colleges and universities, with an emphasis on practical education and outreach that directly serves Tribal communities.
Who is the funding agency for this opportunity?
The funding agency is the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity is 10.517.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA SLBCD 012120.
What type of funding instrument is being offered?
This opportunity uses the grant funding instrument.
What category is this opportunity listed under?
The opportunity is categorized under Agriculture.
What is the purpose of TCEP-CA funding?
The program is designed to build and strengthen extension capacity at eligible Tribal colleges and universities by supporting community-based extension work. Funded projects are intended to deliver locally relevant education, outreach, and programming that reflect community priorities.
What kinds of projects does TCEP-CA support?
The program supports informal, community-based extension projects that provide practical education and outreach. Topic areas can include agriculture, youth development, economic development, healthy lifestyles, natural resources, and other priorities identified by Tribal communities.
Is this a short-term project grant or a multi-year capacity program?
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) launches a new four-year continuation funding cycle, emphasizing multi-year capacity-building work. The intent is for funded institutions to sustain and grow extension activities over time rather than run a one-off project.
How long is the funding cycle described in this NOFO?
The NOFO is structured around a four-year continuation funding cycle.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is strictly limited to colleges and universities that are legally designated as 1994 Institutions (Tribal Colleges and Universities recognized under federal legislation).
Can non-1994 institutions apply if they partner with a Tribal college?
No. Applications cannot be submitted by other types of entities, even if they partner with a Tribal college. Only eligible 1994 Institutions may submit applications.
Which institutions are listed as eligible in the opportunity?
The eligible institutions listed include: Aaniiih Nakoda College; Bay Mills Community College; Blackfeet Community College; Cankdeska Cikana Community College; Chief Dull Knife College; College of the Menominee Nation; College of the Muscogee Nation; Dine College; Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College; Fort Peck Community College; Haskell Indian Nations University; Ilisagvik College; Institute of American Indian Arts; Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College; Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa University; Leech Lake Tribal College; Little Big Horn College; Little Priest Tribal College; Navajo Technical University; Nebraska Indian Community College; Northwest Indian College; Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College; Oglala Lakota College; Red Lake Nation College; Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College; Salish Kootenai College; Sinte Gleska University; Sisseton Wahpeton College; Sitting Bull College; Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute; Stone Child College; Tohono Oodham Community College; Turtle Mountain Community College; United Tribes Technical College; and White Earth Tribal and Community College.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $300,000.
How many awards does NIFA expect to make?
The opportunity estimates that approximately 35 awards are expected.
What is the application closing date?
The original application closing date is August 14, 2026.
When was this opportunity record created?
The opportunity record was created on June 12, 2026.
What happens if an applicant misses eligibility requirements or submission requirements?
The NOFO emphasizes that applicants must meet every eligibility and application requirement described in the announcement. Missing eligibility criteria or failing to meet submission requirements by the deadline can result in the application being removed from consideration or otherwise prevent NIFA from issuing an award.
What does the NOFO emphasize about compliance with requirements?
The NOFO highlights that applicants must follow all eligibility and application instructions exactly as described and submit by the deadline; otherwise, the application may not be considered for funding.
Where can newer applicants learn more about federal grant expectations and processes?
NIFA points prospective applicants to its "About Grants" resources to help institutions understand federal financial assistance processes and expectations before submitting an application.
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| Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Competitive Grants Program (FBMB) Apply for USDA NIFA KFBMB 32830 Funding Number: USDA NIFA KFBMB 32830 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture-eRA Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $450,000 |
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| Food Safety Outreach Program Technical Assistance-Grant Writing Skills Projects Apply for USDA NIFA FA4182 32937 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FA4182 32937 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture-eRA Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Children, Youth, and Families at Risk 4-H Military Partnership Professional Development and Technical Assistance Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 011998 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 011998 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $550,000 |
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| Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA BRAP 011857 Funding Number: USDA NIFA BRAP 011857 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $650,000 |
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| Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Classic for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026 Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ RCPP CLASSIC 26 NOFO000145 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NHQ RCPP CLASSIC 26 NOFO000145 Agency: Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA) for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2026 Apply for USDA NRCS NHQ RCPP AFA 26 NOFO0001451 Funding Number: USDA NRCS NHQ RCPP AFA 26 NOFO0001451 Agency: Natural Resources Conservation Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
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| Rural Cooperative Development Grants Apply for USDA NIFA OP 012058 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 012058 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CSPECA 32938 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CSPECA 32938 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture-eRA Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $150,000 |
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