Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA OP 009722
The National Food and Agricultural Sciences Teaching, Extension, and Research Awards (often referred to as the TERA awards) is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to recognize and elevate exceptional college-level faculty whose work strengthens education in agriculture and closely related fields. Established in 1992, the program is aimed at spotlighting faculty who have made a clear, sustained impact in areas such as agriculture, natural resources, veterinary sciences, and human sciences, especially through high-quality teaching and meaningful engagement with students.
At its core, the program functions as a national recognition and awards mechanism that pairs professional prestige with grant support. A selection committee made up of nationally recognized teachers and scholars reviews nominations and selects multiple awardees across several categories. The program identifies two national recipients, two early-career recipients, and two recipients recognized specifically for teaching and student engagement. In addition to the national-level honors, the program also makes six regional awards, widening the opportunity to recognize excellence across different parts of the country and not only at the national tier.
Nominees are evaluated using criteria that emphasize what excellence looks like in real classrooms and academic programs, not just in publications. Reviewers consider instructional ability and effectiveness, educational innovation (for example, new curriculum designs, creative instructional approaches, or improved learning methods), service and commitment to students, professionalism, and scholarship. Taken together, these criteria reward faculty who combine strong teaching performance with forward-looking approaches and a demonstrated commitment to student success and academic integrity.
This opportunity is explicitly described as a partnership involving NIFA, the recipient associated with the National Awards for Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences Program (TERA) Award, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). In practical terms, this means the award is positioned not only as a federal recognition program but also as one connected to broader national leadership in higher education for food and agricultural sciences, which can increase its visibility and credibility within the academic community.
Nominations are submitted using the official Teaching Awards Guidelines and the Teaching Awards Nomination Form provided on the National Awards for Excellence resources page. Applicants are expected to follow the specific directions in the Request for Applications (RFA), because missing eligibility requirements or failing to meet submission rules can lead to disqualification. NIFA also points new applicants to its Grants Overview resource as a primer on federal financial assistance and the mechanics of applying for federal awards.
Eligibility is limited in an important way: applications may only be submitted by colleges and universities that can demonstrate they have the capacity to carry out teaching in food and agricultural science. In other words, individual faculty are the focus of the recognition, but the submitting entity is the institution, and the institution must be an eligible college or university with a demonstrable teaching mission in the relevant disciplines. The program also enforces a strict rule against duplicate or multiple submissions; if an applicant submits more than one application (or duplicates), NIFA states it will disqualify both, so institutions need internal coordination to ensure only one compliant submission is made per applicant as defined by the RFA.
From the posted opportunity data, the funding opportunity title is National Food and Agricultural Sciences Teaching, Extension, and Research Awards, with funding opportunity number USDA NIFA OP 009722. It is categorized as a discretionary grant under the agriculture funding activity category, associated with CFDA number 10.500. The agency is the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The opportunity listing shows an award ceiling of $500,000 and an original closing date of May 24, 2023 (noting that applicants would need to confirm current-year deadlines and details in the active RFA, since deadlines and available funds can change by cycle).Apply for USDA NIFA OP 009722
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National Food and Agricultural Sciences Teaching, Extension, and Research Awards" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.500.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-04-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-05-24. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): National Food and Agricultural Sciences Teaching, Extension, and Research Awards (TERA)
What is the National Food and Agricultural Sciences Teaching, Extension, and Research Awards (TERA) program?
The National Food and Agricultural Sciences Teaching, Extension, and Research Awards (often called the TERA awards) is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is designed to recognize and elevate exceptional college-level faculty whose work strengthens education in agriculture and closely related fields, pairing national recognition with grant support.
Who runs this opportunity?
The agency is the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the purpose of the TERA awards?
The program spotlights faculty who have made a clear, sustained impact on college-level education in agriculture and related disciplines, especially through high-quality teaching and meaningful engagement with students. It emphasizes what excellence looks like in real classrooms and academic programs, not only traditional research outputs.
When was the TERA program established?
The program was established in 1992.
Which fields or disciplines does the program focus on?
The program highlights excellence in agriculture and closely related fields, including agriculture, natural resources, veterinary sciences, and human sciences.
Is this program more of an award/recognition program or a typical research grant?
Based on the description provided, it functions as a national recognition and awards mechanism that also includes grant support. Evaluation criteria emphasize teaching effectiveness, innovation, and student engagement rather than focusing only on publications.
How many awardees are selected, and what are the categories?
The selection committee selects multiple awardees across several categories: two national recipients, two early-career recipients, and two recipients recognized specifically for teaching and student engagement. The program also makes six regional awards.
What is the difference between national awards and regional awards?
The national awards recognize recipients at the national tier (including national, early-career, and teaching/student engagement categories). The regional awards expand recognition to different parts of the country so excellence is recognized beyond only the national level.
Who reviews nominations and selects awardees?
A selection committee made up of nationally recognized teachers and scholars reviews nominations and selects awardees.
What evaluation criteria are used for nominees?
Nominees are evaluated using criteria that emphasize teaching and educational impact, including instructional ability and effectiveness, educational innovation (such as new curriculum designs or creative instructional approaches), service and commitment to students, professionalism, and scholarship.
What kinds of activities count as educational innovation under this program?
The opportunity description gives examples such as new curriculum designs, creative instructional approaches, or improved learning methods.
Who is eligible to submit an application or nomination?
Eligibility is limited to colleges and universities that can demonstrate they have the capacity to carry out teaching in food and agricultural science. While individual faculty are the focus of the recognition, the submitting entity is the institution.
Can an individual faculty member apply directly?
The information provided indicates the institution is the applicant/submitting entity, even though the award recognizes individual faculty. That means nominations are submitted through an eligible college or university.
What does it mean that the institution must demonstrate capacity to teach in food and agricultural science?
It means the submitting college or university must be able to show it has the ability and mission to carry out teaching in the relevant food and agricultural science disciplines, as described in the opportunity materials.
Are multiple submissions allowed from the same applicant?
No. The program enforces a strict rule against duplicate or multiple submissions. If an applicant submits more than one application (or duplicates), NIFA states it will disqualify both. Institutions should coordinate internally to ensure only one compliant submission is made per applicant as defined by the RFA.
Where do nominations get submitted, and which forms are required?
Nominations are submitted using the official Teaching Awards Guidelines and the Teaching Awards Nomination Form provided on the National Awards for Excellence resources page. Applicants are also expected to follow the specific directions in the Request for Applications (RFA).
What is the RFA, and why is it important?
The Request for Applications (RFA) contains the official instructions, eligibility requirements, and submission rules. The opportunity notes that missing eligibility requirements or failing to meet submission rules can lead to disqualification.
Is there any guidance for institutions new to federal grants?
Yes. NIFA points new applicants to its Grants Overview resource as a primer on federal financial assistance and the mechanics of applying for federal awards.
What organizations are described as partners in this opportunity?
The opportunity is explicitly described as a partnership involving NIFA, the recipient associated with the National Awards for Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences Program (TERA) Award, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).
What is the funding opportunity number for this program?
The funding opportunity number listed is USDA NIFA OP 009722.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 10.500.
What type of funding opportunity is it, and what funding category is it listed under?
It is categorized as a discretionary grant under the agriculture funding activity category.
What is the award ceiling?
The opportunity listing shows an award ceiling of $500,000.
What was the original closing date listed for this opportunity?
The posted opportunity data shows an original closing date of May 24, 2023.
Should applicants assume May 24, 2023 is the current deadline?
No. The information provided notes that applicants would need to confirm current-year deadlines and details in the active RFA, since deadlines and available funds can change by cycle.
What are common reasons an application could be disqualified?
Based on the information provided, disqualification can occur if eligibility requirements are missed, submission rules in the RFA are not followed, or if duplicate/multiple submissions are made (in which case NIFA indicates it will disqualify both submissions).
Why might this award carry additional visibility within higher education?
The description notes that the award is positioned as a federal recognition program connected to broader national leadership in higher education for food and agricultural sciences through the involvement of APLU, which can increase visibility and credibility within the academic community.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture
Next opportunity: Clinical Trial Readiness for Rare Diseases, Disorders, and Syndromes (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Previous opportunity: Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Basin Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA NIFA OP 009722
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA OP 009722) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Special Research Grants Program Potato Research Apply for USDA NIFA SRGP 009702 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SRGP 009702 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems Apply for USDA NIFA OP 009882 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 009882 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| New Beginning for Tribal Students Program Apply for USDA NIFA TGP 009902 Funding Number: USDA NIFA TGP 009902 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Food and Agricultural Education Information System Apply for USDA NIFA OP 009753 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 009753 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,100,000 |
| Open Data Framework Apply for USDA NIFA OTHER 009752 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OTHER 009752 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $920,000 |
| Wild Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2023 Cooperative Agreements Apply for USDA APHIS 10028 WSNWRC00 23 0018 Funding Number: USDA APHIS 10028 WSNWRC00 23 0018 Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| USDA APHIS Tribal Nations Wild Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Opportunities 2023 Cooperative Agreements Apply for USDA APHIS 10028 WSNWRC00 23 0019 Funding Number: USDA APHIS 10028 WSNWRC00 23 0019 Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Farmed Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Response Activities 2023 Cooperative Agreements Apply for USDA APHIS 10025 VSSPRS00 23 0058 Funding Number: USDA APHIS 10025 VSSPRS00 23 0058 Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Education and Workforce Development Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 009842 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 009842 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA TCRGP 009748 Funding Number: USDA NIFA TCRGP 009748 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $650,000 |
| Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA OP 009766 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 009766 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Tribal Colleges Extension Program: Special Emphasis Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 010064 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 010064 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Research Facilities Act Program Apply for USDA NIFA OP 010063 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 010063 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Apply for USDA NIFA OP 009883 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 009883 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $960,000 |
| 1890 Institution Teaching, Research, and Extension Capacity Building Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CBGP 009942 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CBGP 009942 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase I Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 009962 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SBIR 009962 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $181,500 |
| FtF Mali Yarnude Apply for 72068823RFA00007 Funding Number: 72068823RFA00007 Agency: Mali USAID -Bamako Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Biotechnology Technical Assistance for Africa Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 23 0024 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 23 0024 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $240,000 |
| Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program Apply for USDA NIFA CFP 009982 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CFP 009982 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Youth Support and Internship Program Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 010126 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 010126 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $950,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA NIFA OP 009722", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.