1890 National Scholars Program accepting applications

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at 1890 land-grant universities to pursue career paths in food, agriculture, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. The application deadline is March 1, 2025.

Young people around the country are invited to complete and submit their applications online through an e-application. Administered through USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is available to eligible high school seniors entering their freshman year of college as well as rising college sophomores and juniors.

“The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program enhances career opportunities for students at 1890 land-grant universities,” said USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement Director Lisa Ramirez. “The program has also been an effective tool to help USDA recruit and retain highly qualified students into careers in food, agricultural science, natural resources and related fields.”

The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is a partnership between USDA and the 19 land-grant universities that were established in the Morrill Land Grand Act of 1890. USDA partners with these 1890 universities to provide scholarship recipients with full tuition, fees, books and room and board. Scholarship recipients attend one of the 1890 land-grant universities and pursue degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. The scholarship also provides work experience at USDA through summer internships. Scholars accepted into the program are eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a permanent appointment with USDA upon successful completion of their degree requirements and program requirements by the end of the agreement period. The program awarded 94 scholarships in the 2024 cohort of 1890 Scholars.

Learn more and apply online at USDA 1890 National Scholars Program.

The 19 members of the 1890 universities system are:

• Alabama A&M
• Alcorn State University
• Central State University
• Delaware State University
• Florida A&M University
• Fort Valley State University
• Kentucky State University
• Langston University
• Lincoln University
• 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
• University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore
• Virginia State University
• West Virginia State University