Distance Education Grants for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG)
RFP Summary provided by the agency
The purpose of this program is 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. The Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG) is a NIFA-administered competitive grants program focused on improving formal, postsecondary agricultural sciences education.
What is the mission and focus of the program: research, social, economic or others?
Agriculture, Education
How do you submit to this opportunity?
Applications should be submitted on grants.gov
Who are the target applicants: cities, universities, companies, small business, nonprofits, or others?
Eligible institutions include colleges/universities located in an Insular Area conducting teaching/extension programs in at least one discipline/area of food & agricultural sciences.
Eligible public- or state-funded, Non-Land-Grant institutions must submit a letter signed by the institution’s Authorized Representative certifying that it meets the requirements in this RFA.
An eligible institution means 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.
Example project(s) summaries from past RFPs:
GRANT AMT: $130,466 GRANT YR: 2018
AWARD TOTAL: $130,466
INITIAL AWARD YEAR: 2018
PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
AMERICAN SAMOA COMM COLLEGE PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA 96799
DEVELOPING DISTANCE EDUCATION AT THE AMERICAN SAMOA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Before USDA NIFA Resident Instruction (RIIA) and Distance Education (DEG) funding became available to the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), Agriculture, Community, and Natural Resources (ACNR) Land Grant program in 2006, the ACNR instructional program was in a dismal state, without any federal or local funding. DEG funding has enabled ACNR to take both immediate steps and develop long-term measures to address the disparities faced. There are now 3 full-time instructors, and there is an increase in enrollments, number of ACNR graduates, students receiving scholarships and stipends, and students participating in experiential learning programs. Continued support from DEG will help to ensure further successes in ACNR’s long-term measures. The project goals focus on 2 Educational Need Areas (ENA) – ENA (3) Instructional Delivery Systems and ENA (6) Student Recruitment, Retention, and Educational Equity. With the ENAs as a guiding tool, the objectives of the project are: to encourage use of DE and computer-lab equipment; enhance capacity of ACNR student lab and quality of instruction program, provide scholarships for students pursuing degrees in food and agricultural and related sciences, and to provide financial support for faculty and staff professional development. These objectives will help ACNR meet its outcomes and overall NIFA objectives of increasing the number and diversity of students pursing degrees in food and agricultural sciences, and enhancing the quality of postsecondary instruction to help meet current and future workplace needs.
