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CYFAR Sustainable Communities Projects Grant (USDA NIFA SLBCD 005657) - FAQs

What is this grant opportunity?

This is the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Communities Projects grant. The Funding Opportunity Number listed is USDA NIFA SLBCD 005657.

Which federal agency is offering the funding?

The funding is offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

What is the official program name?

The program is the Children, Youth, and Families at Risk (CYFAR) Sustainable Communities Projects grant.

Is this a discretionary grant?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant opportunity.

What funding category does this opportunity fall under?

It is listed under an agriculture-related funding activity category.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number provided is 10.500.

What is the overall purpose of the CYFAR Sustainable Communities Projects grant?

The overall purpose is to strengthen communities by expanding and improving comprehensive, community-based educational programs that serve children, youth, and families who are considered at-risk, particularly those with limited resources who may struggle to meet basic needs.

Who is the primary population this program is intended to serve?

The program is intended to serve children, youth, and families who are considered at-risk, with an emphasis on those with limited resources and difficulties meeting basic needs.

What kinds of activities or approaches does CYFAR emphasize?

CYFAR emphasizes comprehensive, community-based educational programming. The description suggests an emphasis on coordinated efforts that are not isolated or one-time events, with a goal of achieving measurable improvements in participants' stability and long-term well-being.

How does the Land-Grant University system relate to this grant?

The opportunity supports work carried out through the Land-Grant University system and the Cooperative Extension System. It is framed around leveraging Land-Grant institutions' people, infrastructure, and community reach to deliver practical education and support.

What is the role of the Cooperative Extension System in this program?

The program is designed to coordinate and leverage the community reach and infrastructure of Cooperative Extension to increase both the quality and quantity of services delivered through Extension-connected partnerships.

What does "strengthening communities" mean in the context of this grant?

Based on the public summary, strengthening communities means improving and expanding educational programs that build real-world skills for at-risk youth and families, supporting stability and long-term well-being, and helping participants lead positive, productive lives as contributing community members.

Does the program focus more on expanding services, improving services, or both?

Both. The summary describes increasing the quality of services (effectiveness, depth, and evidence-informed practice) and the quantity of services (availability, reach, and access) delivered through Extension-connected partnerships.

What is meant by "comprehensive" programs in the summary?

The summary contrasts comprehensive programs with isolated or one-time events. In this context, "comprehensive" suggests programming that is coordinated, ongoing, and designed to provide practical education and support in a way that can produce measurable outcomes.

Is the opportunity limited to projects connected to Land-Grant institutions or Extension?

The summary indicates the grant supports work carried out through the Land-Grant University system and the Cooperative Extension System. However, the eligibility field is listed broadly as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)," so the full announcement should be reviewed for specific requirements, including whether an eligible Land-Grant institution, Extension unit, or formal partner must serve as the lead applicant.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)." This broad label implies eligibility details are not fully defined in the public summary and that applicants should confirm the specific eligibility rules in the full funding announcement.

Why does the eligibility field say "Others"?

The listing indicates "Others" and directs readers to additional eligibility information for clarification. This typically means the eligibility rules are more specific than the short summary and may include institutional role requirements (for example, which organizations can apply directly and which may need to participate as partners).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number and why is it important?

The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA SLBCD 005657. This identifier is used to locate and reference the specific grant opportunity in listings and related documentation, and it helps ensure applicants are looking at the correct program materials.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on February 1, 2016.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is March 14, 2016. The original and current closing date are the same.

Has the closing date changed since it was first posted?

No. The summary states the original and current closing date are the same (March 14, 2016).

Does the public summary list an award ceiling?

No. The public summary does not include an award ceiling.

Does the public summary say how many awards will be made?

No. The public summary does not provide the expected number of awards.

Where can applicants confirm the award amount limits and expected number of awards?

Because the public summary does not include an award ceiling or expected number of awards, those details would need to be confirmed in the full funding announcement or related program guidance.

What is the main "mission" described for CYFAR in this summary?

The mission emphasizes helping at-risk youth and families build real-world skills that contribute to stability and long-term well-being, with a broader goal of helping participants lead positive, productive lives and become contributing members of their communities.

Is the grant intended for one-time events or ongoing efforts?

The summary suggests the program typically supports comprehensive, community-based efforts rather than isolated or one-time events.

What does the summary suggest about partnerships?

The summary describes leveraging people, infrastructure, and community reach through Land-Grant and Extension-connected partnerships to improve and expand services. This implies coordination among institutions and community stakeholders is a key element of the approach described.