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1890 Land Grant Colleges and Universities Initiative

2004 Notice Of Funds Availability

Approximately $1.5 million is available for 1890 Land Grant Institutions Rural Entreprenurial Program Outreach awards in 2004.

A request for proposals was published in the Federal Register on June 10, 2004. Applications are currently being accepted from the 1890 Land Grant Institutions.

For details on the program and application process, visit our 1890 Land Grant Colleges and University Initiative web site. Application deadline is July 26, 2004.


The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development mission area and the 1890 Land-Grant colleges and universities are working together on a new approach to support the development of businesses that create quality jobs. This partnership will help the 1890 institutions provide businesses with the assistance needed to organize and operate efficiently and profitably.

The 1890 institutions have some of the best agricultural science and business education programs in the nation. USDA is building on the strength of these programs to ensure that quality education related to small business development is also available in these communities.

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Program Goals

• Develop income-producing projects for under-developed rural communities.
• Create self-sustaining, long-term economic development in targeted areas of high unemployment through partnerships with the universities and community-based organizations.
• Assist and guide these communities in becoming self-sustainable.

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How Does the Initiative Work?

Through cooperative agreements, 1890 institutions are able to receive Rural Development funding to establish economic development programs for their neighboring communities.

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Types of Assistance

1890 institutions can:
• Sponsor business conferences and workshops.
• Finance rural businesses.
• Provide technical assistance to new and existing businesses.
• Assist communities in leveraging other resources via state, local, private, and/or public funding.
• Assist businesses through the application process.
• Offer courses in business development.
• Provide computer labs where community members can access other rural economic development sources on the Internet.
• Establish business incubator services.

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Rural Development Assistance

In addition to providing funding, USDA Rural Development works with 1890 institutions to assist in developing business plans and loan packages. USDA Rural Development also provides community leaders with counseling and direction on how to develop economic stimulus programs for their communities.

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Application
All required forms may be downloaded by clicking on the following: (Note that the forms are in pdf format which requires Adobe Acrobat to read them.)

Application For Federal Assistance:

• SF-424
  Application For Federal Assistance
  
  
• SF-424A
  Budget Information - Non-Construction Programs
  
  
• SF-424B
  Assurances - Non-Construction Programs
  
  
• AD-1047
  Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters- Primary Covered Transactions
  
  
• AD-1049
  Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (Grants) Alternative 1 - For Grantees Other Than Individuals
  
  
• SF-LLL
  Disclosure Of Lobbying Activities

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Rural Business Entrepreneurship Development Initiative

The Rural Business Entrepreneurship Development Initiative is designed to encourage 1890 institutions and historically black colleges and universities to establish and promote business entrepreneurship as a viable occupational alternative for students in all academic disciplines. It is also designed to promote entrepreneurial practices with existing businesses located in underserved communities through creative thinking, information and technology utilization, strategic alliances, use of research and development planning, and expanding global and international market relationships.

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BISNet

The Business Information System Network (BISNet) is an electronic telecommunications initiative that allows rural areas access to the Internet. Jointly sponsored by Rural Development and Southern University, BISNet allows community leaders to share successful business development concepts. It also links leaders to a network of corporate, government and private entities. You can visit their home page at: http://bisnet.sus.edu

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1890 National Scholars Program

USDA Rural Development awards scholarships to students to attend one of the 1890 land-grant colleges or universities and study agriculture, food science, or natural resource sciences. The purpose of the initiative is to:

• Strengthen the long-term partnership between USDA Rural Development and the 1890 institutions.
• Increase the number of students studying agricultural, food science, and natural resource sciences.
• Offer career opportunities to scholarship recipients at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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History of the Institutions

The historically black land-grant colleges and universities were created by the second Morrill Act, in 1890 following the signing of the first Morrill Act by President Lincoln in 1862. The 1862 Act established public education for the masses under the basic concept of the land-grant system. This first Morrill Act made no reference to color, which allowed southern states to deny access to minorities.

To address this inequity, the 1890 Act provided that in certain states a land-grant institution be established to train sons and daughters of farmers and working people. These institutions, which became known as the "1890 institutions," include 16 land-grants institutions plus Tuskegee University.

For more than 100 years, they have provided educational opportunities for minority students and those to whom the doors to education were not open.

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1890 Land Grant Institutions

Alabama A&M University
Alcorn State University
University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Delaware State University
Florida A&M University
Fort Valley State University
Kentucky State University
Langston University
Lincoln University
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
North Carolina A&T State University
Prairie View A&M University
South Carolina State University
Southern University and A&M College
Tennessee State University
Tuskegee University
Virginia State University
West Virginia State College Institute

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For More Information

For more information, contact the USDA Rural Development State Office located nearest your 1890 land-grant institution. Or you may call the Rural Business-Cooperative Service at (202) 690-4730.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.