Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the availability of $18.9 million in competitive grants to support fellowships and other higher education training projects in food, nutrition, natural resources and agriculture fields.

These fellowships are administered through USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture and will support pre- and post-doctoral fellowships, undergraduate fellowships, and professional development for secondary school teachers and educational professionals.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the availability of $18.9 million in competitive grants to support fellowships and other higher education training projects in food, nutrition, natural resources and agriculture fields.

"Highly motivated, talented and creative workers in the food, agriculture and natural resources fields will only become more valuable on a global scale as we face a growing population and tougher climate obstacles in the next few decades," Vilsack said. "Investing in innovation and growing a strong knowledge base now is critical to bolstering food security, health, and economic viability for the next generation."

Grants are available through NIFA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Education and Literacy Initiative.

Funded fellowships will span the six challenge areas identified by AFRI: childhood obesity prevention, climate change, food safety, food security, sustainable bioenergy and water. The fellowship program also will fund projects that contain well-developed and highly-engaged mentoring and training activities. NIFA will fund single-function and multi-function research, education or extension projects. Webinars for more information about these grants are available on the NIFA website.

Pre- and post-doctoral fellowships will serve as a conduit for new scientists and professionals to enter research, education and extension fields within the food, agricultural, natural resources and human sciences. Applications for pre- and post-doctoral fellowships are due Feb. 11.

Undergraduate fellows will obtain hands-on experience and training and receive strong mentoring to assist them in joining the workforce or for pursuing graduate studies. Additionally, the undergraduate fellowships will provide opportunities for students from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged groups at minority-serving institutions, community colleges, and four-year colleges and universities to partner with larger universities and USDA laboratories. Applications for undergraduate fellowships are due March 24.

Grants for colleges and universities to develop training programs for secondary school teachers and education professionals, such as counselors and administrators, aim to provide immersive learning experiences for the grantees to create and replicate best practices to improve student success within the food, agricultural, natural resources, and human sciences. Applications for these professional development grants are due March 18.