90 2023 USDA BUDGET SUMMARY
support needed to grow the capacity for agricultural research, education, and extension activities
at land-grant institutions and State Agricultural Experiment Stations. These programs include
Hatch Act, Smith-Lever 3(b) and 3(c), 1890 Land-grant Institutions, McIntire-Stennis Cooperative
Forestry, and other grants. In 2023, NIFA will increase its investments to $265 million for Hatch
Act programs, to support agricultural research at 1862 Land-grant Universities (LGUs) and State
Agricultural Experiment Stations (SAES). Hatch Act funded scientists undertake critical
research on the national, regional and local challenges to agricultural systems through
sustained efforts. An increase of $7.3 million will be invested in the McIntire-Stennis Research
Program in 2023. These funds, totaling $43.3 million, will be used to support research in some of
the following topic areas: understanding the impacts of new stressors and developing management
solutions; adaptation to climate change environmental factors and utilization of forest ecosystems
to mitigate climate change; utilization of wood and new applications for forest products; and
increasing the use of agroforestry by landowners and communities, with a priority on underserved
and minority audiences. Increases of $18.5 million are provided to Extension capacity programs
for increasing services and ensuring equity in access and opportunities to minority, historically
underserved, or Tribal communities with special emphasis on climate change, workforce, nutrition
and health promotion education, and support for youth Climate Corps through 4-H programming.
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)
The Budget includes $564 million for AFRI. AFRI is the Nation’s premier competitive, peer-
reviewed research program for fundamental and applied sciences in agriculture. It is broad in scope
with programs ranging from fundamental science to farm management and community issues.
NIFA will also include a broad emphasis on climate-smart agriculture, nutrition security, and the
application of clean energy. Focused investments in these topics will be made in the three major
complementary components of AFRI: 1) Sustainable Agricultural Systems, 2) Foundational and
Applied Science, and 3) Education and Workforce Development. Transformative innovations in
U.S. agriculture are needed to address climate change, promote innovations in nutrition research,
and enhance economic growth and agricultural education, especially in historically underserved
communities. Through this investment, NIFA will contribute to a whole-of-government approach
to climate change by supporting research, extension and education projects that advance the
achievement of economy-wide, net-zero emissions, by 2050. These investments address the
Presidents priorities to combat climate change, lay the foundation for economic growth and
creation of good-paying jobs, and ensure that benefits accrue to marginalized and underserved
communities.
Minority-Serving Institution Programs
The Budget includes $315 million for Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) programs. Partnerships
with MSI programs support capacity building initiatives, education, and pathways to employment
for students and faculty and help develop a strong pipeline of talented individuals for USDA and
USDA partner jobs. NIFA administers programs dedicated to strengthening research and
extension capacity at minority-serving institutions and the ability of these institutions to continue
their effective programming. These include research, extension, teaching, and facilities programs
at the 1890 Land-grant institutions; research, education and extension grants for Tribal colleges
(including the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program) and Hispanic-serving institutions;
and education grants for Alaska Native-Serving, Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, and Insular
Areas institutions; New Beginning for Tribal Students, Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions,
Institution Challenge, Multicultural Scholars, and Graduate Fellowships, Agriculture Business
Innovation Centers at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Grants for Insular Areas.
Evans-Allen capacity funds support agricultural research activities at 1890 LGUs. The increased