E. Kika De La Garza Fellowship Program

The USDA HSI (E. Kika De La Garza) Fellowship Program strengthens educational partnerships with faculty staff and administrators from Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to collaborate with USDA to gain insight and understanding of the federal government. Through the fellowship, participants meet directly with USDA agencies to learn about opportunities that are available for their respective institutions and their students. Applicants must be faculty, staff or administrators employed at a Hispanic-Serving Institution or Hispanic-Serving School District to qualify.

Note: The U.S. Department of Education determines whether an institution can be designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. See a list of eligible Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

• Education Fellowships are for faculty, staff and administrators employed by Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Education Fellows participate in a Washington, DC-based program.
• High School Education Fellowships are for secondary education superintendents, principals, agricultural and/or district level teachers working for a Hispanic-Serving school district. Fellows participate in a Washington, DC-based program.
• Science Fellowships are for science faculty employed by Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Science fellows collaborate with leading scientists from USDA. Participants attend the Washington, DC-based program as well as a USDA Research Facility within the country for an additional week.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: March 6, 2025 (all materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. PST on this date)
• Fellowships are awarded: May 2025
• Travel to Washington, DC: July 6, 2025

Program Dates

• Education and High School Fellowships: July 7 – July 11, 2025
• Science Fellowship: July 7 – July 18, 2025

2025 Application

• Application Form

All application materials must be submitted by or before March 6, 2025 11:59 p.m. PT. This application form cannot be saved for editing later. All required information and requested attachments (i.e., resume and essay) must be submitted in its entirety at the time of submission.

Fellowship Informational Webinar, January 29, 2025; 2:00 P.M. ET

Learn more about the 2024 E. Kika De La Garza Fellows (PDF, 3.6 MB)!