USDA 1890 National Scholars Program
The 2026 application closed March 8, 2026. The next application opens in 2027. Sign up for email updates to be notified.
The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program pays full tuition, fees, books, and room and board for students earning a bachelor's degree in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or a related field at one of the 19 1890 land-grant universities. Scholars also complete paid summer work with USDA and can move into a permanent USDA job after graduation.
Key Facts
- Covers: Tuition, fees, books, room and board
- Length: Up to 4 years, renewed each year
- Work: Paid summer internship at USDA
- After graduation: Eligible for a permanent USDA job without competing
- Commitment: 1 year of USDA service per year of support
Eligibility
Who can apply
U.S. citizens who are high school seniors entering their first year of college, or college students entering their sophomore or junior year.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Have a minimum ACT score of 21 or SAT score of 1080
- Be accepted to, or currently attending, one of the 19 1890 land-grant universities
- Study agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or a related field
- Show leadership and community service
How to apply
- Check that you're eligible. Review the requirements above and confirm your university and major qualify.
- Request official transcripts from every high school and college you have attended. Each must carry an authorized official's signature.
- Write two essays of 250 to 500 words each:
- How will the USDA 1890 National Scholarship support your career aspirations? If a particular mission area within USDA also supports your career aspirations, please indicate that mission area.
- What factors have influenced your decision to pursue academic studies in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or a supporting discipline (such as economics, computer science, accounting, etc.)?
- Submit your application through the application portal. 2027 dates will be posted here.
About the program
USDA established the 1890 National Scholars Program in 1992 as part of its partnership with the 1890 land-grant universities. The program works to increase the number of students studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and related disciplines, and to prepare them for careers at USDA.
- Scholarship. Full tuition, fees, books, and room and board each year for up to four years. The scholarship is renewed each year as long as you keep satisfactory grades and make normal progress toward your degree.
- Employment. Scholars are USDA employees during the program, with paid summer work at a USDA agency and employee benefits.
- A job after graduation. Scholars who complete their degree requirements by the end of the agreement period are eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a permanent USDA position (5 CFR 213.3202; Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Section 12519).
- Service commitment. Scholars agree to work for USDA for at least one year for each year of financial assistance. The details are set out in a service agreement signed by you, your university, and the USDA agency sponsoring you.
Talk to your campus liaison
Every 1890 university has a USDA liaison who can answer questions about the scholarship, internships, and careers at USDA. Find your university below, or contact the program manager for your area.
| Anthony Hudson 1890 National Program Manager, North (202) 570-3926 Anthony.Hudson@usda.gov | Allison Johnson 1890 National Program Manager, South (202) 302-7255 Allison.Johnson@usda.gov |
- Mid-Atlantic: DE · MD · VA · WV · 4 universities
University Location Liaison Phone Email Delaware State University Dover, DE Dr. Chandra Owens (202) 308-7687 Chandra.Owens@usda.gov University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, MD Lisa Collier Purnell (202) 306-7368 Lisa.Purnell@usda.gov Virginia State University Petersburg, VA Lisa Collier Purnell (202) 306-7368 Lisa.Purnell@usda.gov West Virginia State University Institute, WV Dr. Chandra Owens (202) 308-7687 Chandra.Owens@usda.gov - Southeast: AL · FL · GA · NC · SC · 6 universities
University Location Liaison Phone Email Alabama A&M University Normal, AL Anthony Hudson (202) 570-3926 Anthony.Hudson@usda.gov Florida A&M University Tallahassee, FL George Montgomery (202) 596-4605 George.Montgomery@usda.gov Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, GA George Montgomery (202) 596-4605 George.Montgomery@usda.gov North Carolina A&T State University Greensboro, NC Allison Johnson (202) 302-7255 Allison.Johnson@usda.gov South Carolina State University Orangeburg, SC Travis Johnson (202) 596-4442 Travis.Johnson@usda.gov Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL Anthony Hudson (202) 570-3926 Anthony.Hudson@usda.gov
- South Central: AR · KY · LA · MS · TN · 5 universities
University Location Liaison Phone Email Alcorn State University Lorman, MS Kameka Gray (601) 862-4160 Kameka.Gray@usda.gov Kentucky State University Frankfort, KY Isabel Brumley (202) 596-0140 Isabel.Brumley@usda.gov Southern University and A&M College Baton Rouge, LA Contact Allison Johnson, South program manager (202) 302-7255 Allison.Johnson@usda.gov Tennessee State University Nashville, TN Travis Johnson (202) 596-4442 Travis.Johnson@usda.gov University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, AR Dr. Shalonda Kangah (202) 536-6641 Shalonda.Guy@usda.gov
- Midwest & Southwest: MO · OH · OK · TX · 4 universities
University Location Liaison Phone Email Central State University Wilberforce, OH Isabel Brumley (202) 596-0140 Isabel.Brumley@usda.gov Langston University Langston, OK Dr. Shalonda Kangah (202) 536-6641 Shalonda.Guy@usda.gov Lincoln University Jefferson City, MO Allison Johnson (202) 302-7255 Allison.Johnson@usda.gov Prairie View A&M University Prairie View, TX Allison Johnson (202) 302-7255 Allison.Johnson@usda.gov
Eligible fields of study
USDA 1890 National Scholars must study one of the following:
- Agriculture
- Agricultural business or management
- Agricultural economics
- Agricultural engineering or mechanics
- Agricultural production and technology
- Agronomy or crop science
- Animal sciences
- Botany
- Food sciences or technology
- Forestry and related sciences
- Home economics or nutrition
- Horticulture
- Natural resources management
- Soil conservation or soil science
- Farm and range management
- Related disciplines, such as non-medical biological sciences, pre-veterinary medicine, and computer science
See USDA research in your field
USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) conducts research in four national program areas that line up with the fields of study above: Animal Production and Protection; Crop Production and Protection; Nutrition, Food Safety, and Quality; and Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems. Exploring them is a good way to see where your degree could take you at USDA, and to think about how USDA's work connects to your career goals for your scholarship essay.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I apply if I'm already in college?
Yes. Rising sophomores and juniors can apply, as well as high school seniors entering their first year.
- Do I have to be at an 1890 university already?
You must be accepted to or attending one of the 19 1890 land-grant universities when you apply.
About the 1890 partnership
- The 1890 land-grant universities
The 1890 land-grant universities are 19 historically Black colleges and universities, named for the Second Morrill Act of 1890. The 1890 Land-Grant Institutions National Program delivers high-quality agricultural research, education, and extension programs and produces skilled graduates in the agricultural sciences. USDA partners with these universities to strengthen research, extension, and teaching in the food and agricultural sciences, and to attract more students into careers in agriculture, food, natural resources, and the human sciences.
- Resources and success stories
Resources
Success stories
Questions?
Email 1890init@usda.gov, or write to:
Student Opportunities and Resources, USDA 1890 Programs
1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Stop 0601
Washington, DC 20250
