PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
To award grants to colleges and universities that have superior teaching and research competencies in the food and agricultural sciences to encourage outstanding students to pursue and complete a graduate degree at such institutions in an area of the food and agricultural sciences for which there is a national need for the development of scientific expertise. Therefore, institutions that currently have excellent programs of graduate study and research in the food and agricultural sciences dealing with targeted national needs are particularly encouraged to apply. Starting in fiscal year 1997, The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) will provide support on a biennial basis and combine appropriations from 2 fiscal years into one competition to be held during odd-numbered years.

 ELIGIBLE FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES:
1. AGRICULTURE;
- Research and Development;
2. EDUCATION;
- General Research and Evaluation;
- Higher Education - General;
- Resource Development and Support - Higher Education;

 WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM:
- Public nonprofit institution/organization;
- Other public institution/organization;

 WHO CAN APPLY:
- Public non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Other public institution/organization;