The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) issues grants and cooperative agreements to a variety of entities including, but not limited to, colleges and universities, other Federal agencies, and individuals in support of agricultural research, education, and extension programs. The Agency's administrative provisions in 7 CFR part 3430 contain elements common to the competitive grant programs it administers in subparts A through E. Subpart F and thereafter apply to specific grant programs.

Section 7117 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334, or the 2018 Farm Bill) added section 1446 to the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to establish a new competitive grant program entitled Scholarships for Students at 1890 Institutions. Section 7117 provides mandatory funding in the enacted amount of $40 million, to remain available until expended, for a scholarship program for eligible students at 1890 Institutions. This final rule establishes a new subpart V in 7 CFR part 3430 for this program.