USDA EPSCoR Program
USDA EPSCoR is designed to increase research competitiveness and capacity in states that historically receive a smaller share of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research funding. The program operates primarily through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and focuses on agriculture, food systems, and rural development.
Purpose
USDA EPSCoR aims to:
- Increase competitiveness for USDA/NIFA research funding
- Strengthen agricultural research capacity in underfunded states
- Support land-grant and rural-serving institutions
- Expand the agricultural and natural resources workforce
- Promote innovation in food, agriculture, and rural economies
Eligibility
- Eligibility generally aligns with NSF EPSCoR jurisdictions—states and territories that receive a relatively small share of federal R&D funding.
- Unlike other EPSCoR programs, USDA EPSCoR is implemented primarily through set-asides within competitive grant programs, rather than a single standalone program line.
Core Approach
USDA EPSCoR operates through:
Set-Aside Funding in NIFA Programs
- A portion (typically ~15%) of funding in major NIFA competitive programs is reserved for EPSCoR-eligible states
- Applies to programs such as: Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), and other competitive grant programs
Capacity Building Grants
- Targeted funding to strengthen institutional competitiveness
- Supports faculty, infrastructure, and research development
Workforce and Extension Activities
- Supports training, education, and outreach
- Builds pipelines into agriculture, food systems, and rural economies