Tribal Colleges Endowment Program

 

To enhance educational opportunities at the thirty-four (34) Land Grant Institutions by strengthening their teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences in targeted need areas. The legislation designates that the interest from the endowment funds benefit the 1994 land-Grant institutions by supporting teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences in the target areas of: 1) Curricula design and instructional materials 2) Faculty development and preparation for teaching 3) Instruction delivery systems 4) Student experiential learning 5) Equipment & instrumentation for teaching 6) Student recruitment and retention Additionally, endowment funds released on or after October 1, 2001, also may be used for facility renovation, repair, construction and maintenance to support teaching programs in the food and agriculture sciences in addition to the above six (6) areas, to support the land-grant mission.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
10.222
Federal Agency/Office
National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Department of Agriculture
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
A - Formula Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 Total distribution to the 34 eligible 1994 Institutions is $4,517,676 Total distribution to the 34 eligible 1994 Institutions was $4,517,676.
Fiscal Year 2017 For Fiscal Year (FY) 2017: Total distribution to the 34 eligible 1994 Institutions was $4,629,955.
Fiscal Year 2018 For Fiscal Year (FY) 2018: Total distribution to the 34 eligible 1994 Institutions is $4,376,381. For the first time in 2018, NIFA plans to provide this funding through a check to each of the eligible 1994 Land Grant Institutions.
Fiscal Year 2019 For FY 2019, per the Budget Office, the total distribution for this Program was $4,410,905.
Fiscal Year 2020 For FY 2020, per the Budget Office, the projected amount available for this Program is approximately $4.8 million. Pertinent data to be provided by program staff at a future date.
Fiscal Year 2023 Pertinent data to be provided by program staff at a future date.
Authorization
Title V, Part C of the Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994, Public law 103-382 (October 20, 1994), 7 U.S.C. 301 note, as amended; Public Law 105-185, cited as “Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994,” (hereafter referred to as the Act) provides that certain tribal colleges, designated as “1994 Land-Grant Institutions,” (hereafter referred to as LGIs) receive various benefits., 7 U.S.C. 301 note
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Eligibility is defined by legislation. An institution must be an accredited 1994 Land Grant Institution with current accreditation from a recognized accreditation organization. Section 7402 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) (Pub. L. 110-246), amends Section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note: Public Law 103-382) by adding at the end the following: ''(34) Ilisagvik College.'' The complete listing of 1994 Land-Grant Institutions (LGIs) is as follows: Bay Mills Community College, Blackfeet Community College, Cankdeska Cikana Community College, Chief Dull Knife College, College of the Menominee Nation, D-Q University, Dine' College, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Fort Belknap College, Fort Berthold Community College, Fort Peck Community College, Haskell Indian Nations University, Ilisagvik College , Institute of American Indian Arts, Leech Lake Tribal College, Little Big Horn College, Little Priest Tribal Coll
Beneficiary Eligibility
Eligibility is defined by legislation. An institution must be an accredited 1994 Land Grant Institution with current accreditation from a recognized accreditation organization. Section 7402 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) (Pub. L. 110-246), amends Section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note: Public Law 103-382) by adding at the end the following: ''(34) Ilisagvik College.'' The complete listing of 1994 Land-Grant Institutions (LGIs) is as follows: Bay Mills Community College, Blackfeet Community College, Cankdeska Cikana Community College, Chief Dull Knife College, College of the Menominee Nation, D-Q University, Dine' College, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Fort Belknap College, Fort Berthold Community College, Fort Peck Community College, Haskell Indian Nations University, Ilisagvik College , Institute of American Indian Arts, Leech Lake Tribal College, Little Big Horn College, Little Priest Tribal Coll
Credentials/Documentation
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number and System for Award Management (SAM) - each applicant (unless excepted under 2 CFR ? 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR ? 25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid UEI number in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. It also must state that the Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant. Applicants must furnish the information required in the request for applications (RFAs). Successful applicants recommended for funding must furnish the information and assurances requested during the award documentation process. These include, but are not limited to the following: Organizational Management Information - Specific management information relating to an applicant shall be submitted on a one time basis, with updates on an as needed basis, as part of the responsibility determination prior to the award of a grant identified under this RFA, if such information has not been provided previously under this or another NIFA program. NIFA will provide copies of forms recommended for use in fulfilling these requirements as part of the preaward process. Although an applicant may be eligible based on its status as one of these entities, there are factors which may exclude an applicant from receiving Federal financial and nonfinancial assistance and benefits under this program (e.g., debarment or suspension of an individual involved or a determination that an applicant is not responsible based on submitted organizational management information). This information collection is approved under OMB Circular Control No. 0524-0026, "Assurance of Compliance with the Department of Agriculture Regulations Assuring Civil Rights, Compliance and Organization Information." 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. There is no application process. Please refer to Section :093 for specific details regarding the Award Procedure.
Award Procedure
On the termination of each fiscal year, the Secretary of Agriculture withdraws the earned interest from the Endowment fund and distributes it to the 1994s on a pro rata basis. The pro rata basis formula is as follows: 60 percent is based on the Indian student count for each institution; 40 percent is distributed in equal shares. Interest distributions are made on an annual basis. The interest earned from the endowment corpus is distributed to each 1994 Institution based on a 60-40 percentage formula: o 60 percent (60%) is based on the number of American Indian students enrolled (based on the annual Student Indian Count as defined in Section 390(3) of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act) will be furnished to the agency by the American Indian Higher Education Consortium - AIHEC) and o 40 percent (40%) on an equal base formula. The computation is made by NIFA and a letter of notification is sent to each 1994 institution President. The Endowment Interest distribution is available to the 1994 Institutions to be drawn down at their discretion through the electronic payment systems of either the Department of Health and Human Services (PMS) or through the Treasury ASAP system. Upon notification of their annual distribution, 1994s are required to submit a Planning Document (subject to approval) on how their Endowment funds will be spent.
Deadlines
Not applicable.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 30 to 60 days.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable, each year of funding is awarded as a new grant.
How are proposals selected?
Not applicable.
How may assistance be used?
The Tribal Colleges Endowment Fund benefits the 1994 land-grant institutions by promoting capacity development in teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences. The Tribal Colleges Endowment Fund, as a teaching capacity development program, is a companion program of the Tribal Colleges Equity Grants Program. It differs primarily from the Equity Grants Program in two (2) respects, namely: • Endowment funds may be escrowed indefinitely and used for major obligations relating to the allowable activities. • As of October 1, 2001, Endowment funds also may be used for facility renovation, repair, construction. and maintenance in support of and in addition to the six (6) targeted areas of support listed below. Interest distribution from an endowed corpus based on a formula specific to this legislation. The legislation designates that the interest from the endowment funds benefit the 1994 land-Grant institutions by supporting teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences in the target areas of: 1) Curricula design and instructional materials 2) Faculty development and preparation for teaching 3) Instruction delivery systems 4) Student experiential learning 5) Equipment & instrumentation for teaching 6) Student recruitment and retention Additionally, endowment funds released on or after October 1, 2001, also may be used for facility renovation, repair, construction and maintenance to support teaching programs in the food and agriculture sciences in addition to the above six (6) areas, to support the land-grant mission.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: (Pertinent details regarding Performance Monitoring Reports are provided above.)
Auditing
Relation to other audit requirements, but records must be available for review or audit by appropriate officials of the Federal agency, pass-through entity, and Government Accountability Office (GAO). This program is also subject to audit by the cognizant Federal audit agency and the USDA Office of Inspector General.
Records
In accordance with 2 CFR Part 400 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, ? 200.334 Retention requirements for records. Grantees shall maintain separate records for each grant to ensure that funds are used for authorized purposes. Grant-related records are subject to inspection during the life of the grant and must be retained at least three (3) years. Records must be retained beyond the three (3) year period if litigation is pending or audit findings have not been resolved. 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D applies to this program.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory Formula: Title Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 Public Law 103-382 Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Interest distributions are made on an annual basis. The Endowment Interest distribution is “no-year” funds and can be used or held indefinitely. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Letter.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
National Institute of Food and Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture P.O. Box 419205, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-6205 Courier/Package Delivery Address: 2312 East Bannister Road, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-3061
Headquarters Office
USDA, NIFA, National Program Leader,
Institute of Youth, Family, and Community, Division of Community and Education, National Institute of Food and Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture
US Postal Service Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 419205, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-6205
Courier/Package Delivery Address:
2312 East Bannister Road, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-3061
Kansas City, MO 64141 US
erin.riley@usda.gov
Phone: (816) 926-2131
Website Address
http://nifa.usda.gov/program/tribal-college-endowment-program
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-5205-0-1-352
Obligations
(Formula Grants (Apportionments)) FY 22$4,631,580.00; FY 23 est $4,284,309.00; FY 24 FY 21$4,832,755.00; FY 20$4,866,258.00; FY 19$4,410,905.00; FY 18$4,376,381.00; FY 17$4,629,955.00; FY 16$4,517,676.00; - The difference between the appropriation and obligation numbers reflects legislative authorized set-asides deducted as appropriate, and in some cases the availability of obligational authority from prior years. NOTES: (1) We agreed to report payments to states for all three years. Amounts reflect deduction for federal administration. (2) Due to declining interest rates, the income from interest earned on investments of the Endowment corpus have gone down, thus resulting in lower funding amounts for the grant program. (3) This program represents no year funds. In terms of availability of appropriations (time), there are no time limits as to when "no-year" funds may be obligated and expended and the funds remain available for their original purposes until expended.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The Endowment Interest distribution increases each year in proportion to the Endowment Corpus and the interest earnings for each year; as well as the number of American Indians enrolled at each institution. The highest amount awarded was in 2009 was $299,509 and the lowest amount was $57,866. Three Institutions received amounts over $200,000; 11 Institutions received amounts over $100,000 and 18 Institutions received amounts under $99,000. NOTE: For Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, two (2) LGIs did not meet eligibility criteria for interest distribution.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
As an administrator of U.S. government support, NIFA works in partnership with grantees to ensure responsible stewardship of federal funds. Our grantees and partners are required to comply with all relevant rules and regulations. The following resources are provided to NIFA's partners and award recipients to support their adherence to federal regulations governing program performance: NIFA's primary (main) website: https://nifa.usda.gov/regulations-and-guidelines The following represent specific documents and direct links: POLICY GUIDE NIFA's Federal Assistance Policy Guide describes agency policies and procedures. https://nifa.usda.gov/policy-guide CERTIFICATIONS AND REPRESENTATIONS Certifications and representations provided through the NIFA application process. https://nifa.usda.gov/certifications-and-representations ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF USDA SUPPORT BY NIFA When acknowledging USDA support in accordance with 2 CFR Part 415, grantees must use the following acknowledgement for all projects or initiatives supported by NIFA. https://nifa.usda.gov/acknowledgment-usda-support-nifa FEDERAL REGULATIONS The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) lists all regulations published in the Federal Register. https://nifa.usda.gov/federal-regulations FOIA The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides that any person has the right to request access to federal documents and information such as research data. https://nifa.usda.gov/foia NEPA POLICY AND GUIDANCE The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Policy and Guidance set the standard for identifying potential environmental impacts. https://nifa.usda.gov/nepa-policy-and-guidance OGFM ISSUED CORRESPONDENCE The Office of Grants and Financial Management occasionally issues correspondence to applicants, grantees, and/or the general public for informational or clarification purposes. https://nifa.usda.gov/ogfm-issued-correspondence RESEARCH MISCONDUCT NIFA requires that all its awardees adhere to the USDA Scientific Integrity Policy and the Federal Policy on Research Misconduct. https://nifa.usda.gov/research-misconduct NIFA'S GENERAL AWARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS Award terms and conditions are determined by statutory, regulatory, and agency requirements, as well as each grant's circumstances. Terms and conditions dictate important items related to your grant, including method of payment, reporting frequency and content, and prior approval requirements. References to the terms and conditions of awards are located on the NIFA 2009 Award Fact Sheet. NIFA's general award terms and conditions (see link below) is applicable to this program, for awards with an award date on December 26, 2014 and thereafter. https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-general-terms-and-conditions-grants-and-cooperative-agreements-october-2016.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2016 For FY 2016: Funding is at the discretion of the 1994 Land Grant Presidents. Data is not yet available. Pertinent data will be provided by Program at a future date. Leech Lake Tribal College Endowment Program The college used the program for faculty development and kept some funding in reserve for campus emergencies. Bay Mills Endowment Program The college used the program funding for faculty development and to print and broadcast recruiting materials. Nebraska Indian Community College Endowment Program The college purchased vehicles and repair service so students and faculty could have reliable on-campus transportation Cankdeska Cikana Community College The college used their funding for the daily operations and maintenance of the campus greenhouse, professional development for faculty and administrative support at the Land Grant office. Blackfeet Community College Endowment The college used their funding to support planning meetings to develop campus improvements, including a 10-year plan to support Land Grant centers and student housing.
Fiscal Year 2017 For Fiscal Year (FY) 2017: Endowment grants are spent at the discretion of the college. The funding can be used for purposes not covered by other 1994 grant programs, kept in reserve to cover repairs or facility upgrades or for any purpose the institution sees as worthwhile to building a quality institution of higher learning.
Fiscal Year 2018 For Fiscal Year (FY) 2018: Endowment projects are spent at the discretion of the college. The funding can be used for purposes not covered by other 1994 grant programs, kept in reserve to cover repairs or facility upgrades or for any purpose the institution sees as worthwhile to building a quality institution of higher learning.
Fiscal Year 2019 For Fiscal Year (FY) 2019: Endowment projects are spent at the discretion of the college. The funding can be used for purposes not covered by other 1994 grant programs, kept in reserve to cover repairs or facility upgrades or for any purpose the institution sees as worthwhile to building a quality institution of higher learning.
Fiscal Year 2020 For Fiscal Year (FY) 2018: Endowment projects are spent at the discretion of the college. The funding can be used for purposes not covered by other 1994 grant programs, kept in reserve to cover repairs or facility upgrades or for any purpose the institution sees as worthwhile to building a quality institution of higher learning.
Fiscal Year 2023 Pertinent data to be provided by program staff at a future date.

 


Related Federal Grants


Federal Grants Resources