Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 003872
Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 003872
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Aligning and Elevating University Based Low Income Nutrition Education" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.500 Cooperative Extension Service.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 31, 2012 and posted on Jul 3, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 3, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $50,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Applications may be submitted by land grant colleges and universities that have both EFNEP and SNAP Ed Programs. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. An applicant s failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the time of an application deadline may result in the application being excluded from consideration or, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award.
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "Aligning and Elevating University Based Low Income Nutrition Education" (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA EXCA 003872) was offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) as a discretionary funding opportunity focused on agriculture and education through the Cooperative Extension Service (CFDA 10.500). The purpose was to support a single, one-year project that would help the land-grant university system take a more unified, coordinated approach to low-income nutrition education, particularly by strengthening how two major nutrition education efforts work together: EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) and SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education). The core idea is not to merge these programs into one, but to create clearer alignment across the system in a way that respects their distinct requirements and roles while making better use of their complementary strengths.
At its heart, this opportunity sought leadership from one land-grant university that already operates both EFNEP and SNAP-Ed. The selected institution would serve as a coordinating and convening entity to develop recommendations that could be applied system-wide across land-grant institutions. Those recommendations were expected to point toward a more consistent and collaborative approach to delivering nutrition education to low-income audiences, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations and related health needs. The announcement highlights the need for a coordinated strategy that improves visibility for university-based nutrition education work and increases engagement both within the land-grant system and among key funders. In practical terms, that means the awardee would be expected to help clarify what effective coordination looks like across programs, identify ways to reduce fragmentation, and propose approaches that improve communication, collaboration, and overall impact.
The award was structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates that NIFA anticipated substantial involvement or partnership during the project period rather than a purely hands-off grant. Only one award was expected, with an estimated total funding amount of $50,000 and an award ceiling of $50,000 (no stated award floor). No cost sharing or matching funds were required. Although the grant was categorized as a "Grant" under funding instrument type, the description explicitly frames it as a cooperative agreement arrangement, reinforcing that the agency likely intended to be actively engaged in the work as it unfolded over the year.
Eligibility was narrow and specific. Applications could only be submitted by land-grant colleges and universities that have both EFNEP and SNAP-Ed programs in place. The announcement also clarified that the funded recipient could subcontract parts of the work to other organizations that might not themselves be eligible to apply, as long as those subcontractors were necessary to carry out the project. However, failure to meet eligibility requirements by the application deadline could lead to the application being excluded from consideration or prevent NIFA from making an award even if the application was reviewed.
In terms of timing and administrative details, the opportunity was posted on July 3, 2012, with an original closing date of August 1, 2012, later extended to August 3, 2012. The archive date was September 2, 2012. Applicants needing help accessing the announcement were directed to the NIFA Help Desk (202-401-5048) during standard weekday business hours, excluding federal holidays, and the notice indicated there was also support available for questions related to preparing application content.
Overall, this funding opportunity was designed as a relatively small, targeted investment to catalyze national-level coordination and strategic guidance within the land-grant university network. Rather than funding direct service delivery at scale, it focused on system leadership: developing practical, informed recommendations that could help EFNEP and SNAP-Ed operate in a more aligned and mutually reinforcing way, ultimately strengthening how universities and their partners address nutrition and health challenges among low-income and vulnerable communities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Aligning and Elevating University Based Low Income Nutrition Education."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA EXCA 003872.
Which federal agency offered this opportunity?
This opportunity was offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What program area or assistance listing is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is connected to the Cooperative Extension Service and is identified under CFDA 10.500.
What is the main purpose of the grant?
The purpose was to support a single, one-year project that would help the land-grant university system take a more unified and coordinated approach to low-income nutrition education, particularly by strengthening alignment between EFNEP and SNAP-Ed while respecting their distinct requirements and roles.
Is the goal to merge EFNEP and SNAP-Ed into one program?
No. The stated intent was not to merge EFNEP and SNAP-Ed into a single program, but to create clearer system-wide alignment and coordination that leverages their complementary strengths while preserving their separate requirements and roles.
Who was expected to lead the project?
The opportunity sought leadership from one land-grant university that already operates both EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) and SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education).
How many awards were expected to be made?
Only one award was expected.
What was the project period?
The grant was intended to fund a single, one-year project.
What was the estimated total funding amount?
The estimated total funding amount was $50,000.
What was the maximum award amount (ceiling)?
The award ceiling was $50,000.
Was there a minimum award amount (floor)?
No award floor was stated.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity stated that no cost sharing or matching funds were required.
What type of funding instrument was used?
The opportunity was categorized as a "Grant" under the funding instrument type, but the description explicitly framed the award as a cooperative agreement arrangement, indicating NIFA anticipated substantial involvement during the project period.
What does it mean that this was described as a cooperative agreement?
Based on the announcement language, the cooperative agreement framing suggests NIFA expected to be actively involved or engaged with the recipient during the year of work, rather than providing a fully hands-off award.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to land-grant colleges and universities that have both EFNEP and SNAP-Ed programs in place.
Could an organization that is not an eligible land-grant university still participate?
Yes, indirectly. The announcement stated the funded recipient could subcontract parts of the work to other organizations that might not themselves be eligible to apply, as long as those subcontractors were necessary to carry out the project.
What happens if an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements by the deadline?
The notice indicated that failure to meet eligibility requirements by the application deadline could result in the application being excluded from consideration or could prevent NIFA from making an award even if the application was reviewed.
What kinds of activities or outcomes was the awardee expected to produce?
The selected institution was expected to serve as a coordinating and convening entity and develop recommendations that could be applied system-wide across land-grant institutions. Those recommendations were intended to support a more consistent, collaborative approach to delivering nutrition education to low-income audiences, including vulnerable populations and related health needs, and to improve visibility and engagement across the system and among key funders.
Was the funding intended primarily for direct nutrition education service delivery?
No. The opportunity was described as a targeted investment focused on system leadership, coordination, and strategic guidance rather than funding direct service delivery at scale.
What specific coordination issues was the project meant to address?
The announcement emphasized clarifying what effective coordination looks like across EFNEP and SNAP-Ed, identifying ways to reduce fragmentation, and proposing approaches to improve communication, collaboration, and overall impact across the land-grant university system.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on July 3, 2012.
What was the original application closing date?
The original closing date was August 1, 2012.
Was the closing date extended?
Yes. The closing date was extended to August 3, 2012.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date was September 2, 2012.
Where could applicants get help accessing the announcement?
Applicants needing help accessing the announcement were directed to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours, excluding federal holidays.
Was help available for application content questions?
Yes. The notice indicated there was support available for questions related to preparing application content.
What audience or communities was this effort ultimately intended to benefit?
The project focus was on improving how universities deliver nutrition education to low-income audiences, with emphasis on vulnerable populations and related health needs.
What broader change was the opportunity trying to catalyze?
It was designed to catalyze national-level coordination and strategic guidance within the land-grant university network by improving how EFNEP and SNAP-Ed align and reinforce one another, increasing visibility for university-based nutrition education work, and strengthening engagement across the system and with key funders.
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Higher Education Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 003954 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CGP 003954 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Secondary Education, Two Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K 12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA SAECP 003955 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SAECP 003955 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 004068 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 004068 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $850,000 |
| Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program (FRTEP) Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004030 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 004030 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $2,800,000 |
| Children, Youth and Families at Risk Sustainable Community Projects Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004088 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 004088 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $160,000 |
| Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG) Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 004090 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 004090 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Capacity Building Grants for Non Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program Apply for USDA NIFA NLGCA 004248 Funding Number: USDA NIFA NLGCA 004248 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grant Program Apply for USDA NIFA HEP 004338 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HEP 004338 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $262,500 |
| Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 004337 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HEMS 004337 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 004414 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 004414 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $110,000 |
| Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG) Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 004413 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 004413 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $70,000 |
| Higher Education Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 004425 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CGP 004425 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Secondary Education, Two Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K 12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA SAECP 004424 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SAECP 004424 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Children, Youth, and Families At Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Community Projects Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004490 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 004490 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $175,000 |
| Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (RIIA) Apply for USDA CSREES RIGP 002074 Funding Number: USDA CSREES RIGP 002074 Agency: CSREES Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $745,000 |
| Secondary Education, Two Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K 12 Classroom Challenge Grants Apply for USDA CSREES SAECP 002584 Funding Number: USDA CSREES SAECP 002584 Agency: CSREES Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 002644 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CGP 002644 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Youth Farm Safety Education and Certification Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 002673 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 002673 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Alaska Native Serving and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program (ANNH) Apply for USDA NIFA AHSI 002819 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AHSI 002819 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (RIIA) and Distance Education Grants for Insular Areas (DEG) Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 002820 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 002820 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
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