Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 009104
The Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to strengthen disaster and emergency preparedness, response, and recovery through the Cooperative Extension System. The program is built around the idea that Extension offices are often one of the most trusted, locally embedded public institutions in a community, especially when a crisis hits. Through this funding, NIFA is looking to support applied, science-based educational and outreach efforts that help families, communities, producers, and businesses plan for emergencies, make informed decisions during disruptive events, and recover more effectively afterward.
The work NIFA expects these projects to support closely reflects Extension's on-the-ground role during emergencies. That includes communicating practical, research-based risk information in ways the public can actually use, developing and delivering relevant educational programs and learning experiences tied to real conditions on the ground, helping communities build or reopen communication channels so accurate information moves quickly, and reducing losses while supporting recovery after the immediate event. In plain terms, the program is meant to fund projects that translate science into action before, during, and after local or regional disasters or critical incidents, with an emphasis on meeting public needs through Extension-led programming.
Eligibility is narrow and institution-specific. Only 1862 land-grant institutions are allowed to submit applications, and that includes those located in the 50 states as well as U.S. territories and affiliated areas specifically listed in the opportunity: American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While only these institutions can be the direct applicants, funded projects are allowed to subcontract with other organizations that are not eligible to apply on their own, as long as those partners are needed to carry out the work. The opportunity also encourages collaboration: eligible 1862 institutions may submit joint proposals with each other and may partner with other land-grant institutions (including 1890 and 1994 institutions), non-land-grant universities, and non-governmental organizations within their state or region.
The grant is categorized under Agriculture (CFDA number 10.511) and uses the grant funding instrument. The listed award ceiling is $150,000 per award. The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA SLBCD 009104, and the original closing date for the referenced cycle was May 26, 2022, with a creation date of April 20, 2022. A key compliance point is that NIFA treats eligibility as a strict threshold requirement: failing to meet eligibility criteria by the application deadline can result in the proposal being excluded from consideration or, even if reviewed, can prevent NIFA from making an award.Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 009104
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.511.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-04-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-05-26. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program?
The Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It supports Cooperative Extension System efforts that strengthen disaster and emergency preparedness, response, and recovery through applied, science-based education and outreach.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The program is designed to fund projects that translate research and science into practical actions before, during, and after disasters or critical incidents. The focus is on Extension-led programming that helps families, communities, producers, and businesses plan for emergencies, make informed decisions during disruptions, and recover more effectively after an event.
What kinds of activities does NIFA expect projects to support?
Projects are expected to align with Extension's on-the-ground role during emergencies, including communicating practical, research-based risk information in usable ways; developing and delivering relevant educational programs and learning experiences tied to real local conditions; helping communities build or reopen communication channels to move accurate information quickly; and reducing losses while supporting recovery following the immediate event.
Who is eligible to apply as the direct applicant?
Only 1862 land-grant institutions are eligible to submit applications as direct applicants under this opportunity. Eligibility is institution-specific and treated by NIFA as a strict threshold requirement.
Are institutions in U.S. territories and affiliated areas eligible?
Yes. The opportunity includes eligible 1862 land-grant institutions located in the 50 states as well as specific U.S. territories and affiliated areas listed in the announcement: American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Can non-eligible organizations apply directly?
No. Organizations that are not eligible under the program rules cannot apply as the primary applicant. However, funded projects may include subcontracts with other organizations if those partners are needed to carry out the work.
Are subcontracts allowed, and under what condition?
Yes. Subcontracting is allowed with organizations that are not eligible to apply on their own, as long as those partners are needed to carry out the project activities supported by the grant.
Does the program encourage collaboration or joint proposals?
Yes. Eligible 1862 land-grant institutions may submit joint proposals with each other. The opportunity also encourages partnering with other land-grant institutions (including 1890 and 1994 institutions), non-land-grant universities, and non-governmental organizations within a state or region.
What type of funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?
The opportunity uses a grant funding instrument.
What is the award ceiling for this grant?
The listed award ceiling is $150,000 per award.
Which federal category and CFDA number does this opportunity fall under?
This opportunity is categorized under Agriculture, with CFDA number 10.511.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA SLBCD 009104.
What were the key dates listed for the referenced cycle?
The referenced cycle shows a creation date of April 20, 2022, and an original closing date of May 26, 2022.
How strict is NIFA about eligibility requirements?
NIFA treats eligibility as a strict threshold requirement. If an applicant fails to meet eligibility criteria by the application deadline, the proposal may be excluded from consideration. Even if it is reviewed, the failure to meet eligibility requirements can prevent NIFA from making an award.
What role does Cooperative Extension play in the projects supported by this program?
The program is built around the idea that Extension offices are often among the most trusted and locally embedded public institutions in their communities, especially during crises. Funded projects are meant to leverage that role by delivering science-based education and outreach that meets real public needs during disaster and emergency situations.
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