The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program seeks to increase the number of American Indian and Alaska Native students studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and related disciplines. At the following link you can find more detailed information about the program and application process: https://www.usda.gov/partnerships/1994-program
Note, Application Deadline is January 31, 2021
There are 35 federally recognized tribal colleges and universities (also known as “1994s”), designated as land-grant institutions through the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994. For reservation communities, these 1994 land-grant institutions help improve the lives and career opportunities for Native students and the communities at large. 1994 institutions support research, education, and extension programs that enhance local agriculture and food production.
The USDA 1994 Tribal Land-Grant Colleges and Universities Program ensures that tribally controlled colleges and universities, the 1994 land-grant institutions, and the Native American communities served by these schools equitably participate in the USDA workforce as employees and have access to USDA programs, services, and resources. There are 35 1994 institutions, and each support research, education, and extension programs that enhance local agriculture and food production.
The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program
The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program seeks to increase the number of American Indian and Alaska Native students studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and related disciplines.
The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program combines classroom study with paid work experience that leads to employment at USDA. Through this program, USDA seeks to boost the number of students studying and graduating in food, agriculture, natural resources, and other related fields of study, and help build the pipeline of future agricultural scientists and professionals. The program also strengthens USDA partnerships with 1994 land-grant institutions.
The program provides full tuition, employment, employee benefits, fees, books, and room and board each year for up to 4 years to selected students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, food science, natural resource science, or a related academic discipline at one of 35 federally recognized tribal colleges and universities. The scholarship may be renewed each year, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance and normal progress toward the bachelor’s degree.
Scholars accepted into the program will be eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a permanent appointment with USDA upon successful completion of their degree requirements by the end of the agreement period. (5 CFR 213.3202) (Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018- Section 12519)
If selected, scholars must commit to at least one year of service to USDA for each year of financial assistance provided. The details of this requirement will be outlined in the service agreement for the scholar, their university, and the USDA sponsoring agency.
USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program 2020 Application Deadline: January 31, 2021
All application materials must be postmarked by Sunday, January 31, 2021, , and sent to the university liaison (or universities) selected by the applicant to attend. (University addresses and contact information are included in the back of the application.)
- 2021 USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program High School Application
- 2021 USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program College Application
- Program Overview (PDF, 1.2 MB)
Terra Preta do Indio Tribal Fellowship
USDA fellowships are available to faculty and staff at 1994 land-grant tribal colleges and universities (TCUs). These fellowships target and address mutual areas of interest between 1994 land-grant TCUs and USDA and provide training about resources and opportunities available at USDA. This uniquely tailored experience brings together 1994 tribal land-grant faculty/staff and federal executives to address the spectrum of challenges faced in the development of a well-prepared American Indian and Alaska Native workforce. In addition, the fellowships offer the opportunity to develop collegial relationships with others at 1994 tribal land-grant colleges and universities and USDA through which collaboration and mutual learning can take place.
This fellowship is available to 1994 TCU faculty and staff working in the areas of agriculture, conservation, natural resource, science, or community development to broaden and deepen their understanding of USDA and to further advance the development of their school’s land-grant function.
USDA – 1994 Leadership Group
The USDA – 1994 Leadership Group is comprised of an equal number of USDA Mission Area decision-makers and 1994 Land-Grant Institutions president members. The 1994 Land-Grant Institutions make up the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). The leadership group meets face-to-face yearly to ensure that USDA programs and services are accessible to the 1994 Land-Grant Institutions. Further, this group meets to ensure that USDA Mission Area representatives understand the uniqueness of and issues affecting these schools, most of which are tribally-controlled.
Additional Information:
- USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Tribal Grant Programs
- 2011 EO 13592 Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Educational Opportunities and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities
- 2010 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between USDA and American Institute Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC)
- 2002 Executive Order 13270 Tribal Colleges and Universities
Success Stories
- The Value of Tribal Agricultural Traditions: A Youth Perspective
- Tribal Colleges Celebrate Land-Grant Anniversary
CONTACT US
Lawrence Shorty
Program Director
Phone: 202-720-7265
Email: Lawrence.Shorty@usda.gov
USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program
Phone: 202-720-6350
Email: 1994@usda.gov