Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FNS DC 12
Apply for USDA FNS DC 12
- The Food and Nutrition Service in the food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Direct Certification Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.579 Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 14, 2012 and posted on Feb 14, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2012. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Direct Certification Grant (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA FNS DC 12; CFDA 10.579, Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability) is a mandatory-funded cooperative agreement opportunity designed to help State agencies strengthen and expand direct certification processes used in child nutrition programs. The overall intent is to support States as they plan for and/or implement improvements that increase the effectiveness, reach, and reliability of direct certification, which is the process that uses data matches (often with other assistance programs) to identify children who are automatically eligible for free school meals without requiring a household application.
This opportunity offers two grant pathways: Planning Grants and Implementation Grants. Planning Grants are awarded in two separate rounds (First Round Planning Grants and Second Round Planning Grants), giving States two timed chances to compete for funds specifically to assess needs, design solutions, build partnerships, map data flows, develop project plans, and prepare for operational changes. Implementation Grants are awarded on a rolling basis, evaluated quarterly, and are intended for States that are ready to put changes into practice rather than just plan them. The announcement emphasizes that detailed submission deadlines and schedules are provided in the Critical Dates section and in Appendix C (Timelines), and applicants are expected to follow those specific timelines when preparing and submitting proposals.
Eligibility is limited to State governments (eligible applicants: State agencies), and an important restriction applies: an eligible State agency may only apply for and hold one type of grant at a time, meaning a State cannot simultaneously have both a Planning Grant and an Implementation Grant under this opportunity. Applicants are instructed to confirm eligibility by referencing the "Who May Apply" section in the full announcement, which would clarify which State entities qualify and any conditions attached to that eligibility.
Awards are expected to total about 10 grants. Individual award sizes range from a floor of $75,000 to a ceiling of $1,000,000, and there is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the barrier for States to participate. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally means the federal agency anticipates substantial involvement during the project period (for example, coordination, technical input, or ongoing collaboration), rather than a more hands-off relationship typical of some standard grants.
From an administrative and budgeting standpoint, both Planning and Implementation grants follow the Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments under OMB Circular A-87 (codified at 2 CFR 225). This governs what costs can be charged to the grant and sets standards for allowability, reasonableness, and allocation of expenses under federal awards administered by State and local governments and federally recognized tribal governments. In practice, that means applicants must build budgets and track spending in accordance with those federal cost principles throughout the life of the project.
Key posting and closing information indicates the opportunity was posted on February 14, 2012, with an original and current closing date of July 31, 2012, and an archive date of August 30, 2012. The announcement includes an additional information link titled "Direct Certification Application" for full documentation and instructions. For access issues or questions related to the announcement, the listed contact is Dawn Addison Washington, Grants Officer at FNS, reachable by phone at 703-305-2450.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - USDA FNS Direct Certification Grant (USDA FNS DC 12)
What is the USDA FNS Direct Certification Grant (USDA FNS DC 12)?
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Direct Certification Grant is a mandatory-funded cooperative agreement opportunity intended to help State agencies strengthen and expand direct certification processes used in child nutrition programs. It is identified as Funding Opportunity Number USDA FNS DC 12 and CFDA 10.579 (Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability).
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The overall intent is to support States as they plan for and/or implement improvements that increase the effectiveness, reach, and reliability of direct certification. Direct certification relies on data matching (often with other assistance programs) to identify children who are automatically eligible for free school meals without requiring a household application.
What is direct certification in the context of child nutrition programs?
Direct certification is the process that uses data matches (often involving other assistance programs) to identify children who qualify for free school meals automatically, instead of requiring families to submit a household application.
What types of grants are available under this opportunity?
Two pathways are offered: Planning Grants and Implementation Grants.
What are Planning Grants meant to support?
Planning Grants are intended to help States assess needs, design solutions, build partnerships, map data flows, develop project plans, and prepare for operational changes related to direct certification improvements.
How many Planning Grant rounds are offered?
Planning Grants are awarded in two separate rounds: First Round Planning Grants and Second Round Planning Grants. This provides two timed chances for States to compete for planning funds.
What are Implementation Grants meant to support?
Implementation Grants are intended for States that are ready to put changes into practice (implement direct certification improvements) rather than focusing only on planning activities.
How are Implementation Grants reviewed or awarded?
Implementation Grants are awarded on a rolling basis and evaluated quarterly, according to the opportunity description.
Where can applicants find the official deadlines and schedules?
The announcement emphasizes that detailed submission deadlines and schedules are provided in the Critical Dates section and in Appendix C (Timelines). Applicants are expected to follow those specific timelines when preparing and submitting proposals.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligibility is limited to State governments. The eligible applicants are State agencies.
Can a State apply for both a Planning Grant and an Implementation Grant at the same time?
No. A key restriction is that an eligible State agency may only apply for and hold one type of grant at a time. This means a State cannot simultaneously have both a Planning Grant and an Implementation Grant under this opportunity.
How should a State confirm it is eligible to apply?
Applicants are instructed to confirm eligibility by referencing the "Who May Apply" section in the full announcement, which clarifies which State entities qualify and any conditions attached to eligibility.
How many awards are expected to be made?
Awards are expected to total about 10 grants.
What is the funding range for individual awards?
Individual award sizes range from a minimum (floor) of $75,000 to a maximum (ceiling) of $1,000,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement generally means the federal agency anticipates substantial involvement during the project period, such as coordination, technical input, or ongoing collaboration, rather than a more hands-off relationship typical of some standard grants.
What cost principles apply to budgeting and allowable costs?
Both Planning and Implementation grants follow the Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments under OMB Circular A-87 (codified at 2 CFR 225). These principles govern what costs can be charged to the grant and set standards for allowability, reasonableness, and allocation of expenses under federal awards administered by State and local governments and federally recognized tribal governments.
What does following OMB Circular A-87 (2 CFR 225) mean for applicants in practice?
In practice, it means applicants must build budgets and track spending in accordance with those federal cost principles throughout the life of the project.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on February 14, 2012.
What is the closing date for this opportunity?
The original and current closing date listed is July 31, 2012.
What is the archive date for this opportunity?
The archive date listed is August 30, 2012.
Where can applicants find the full documentation and instructions?
The announcement includes an additional information link titled "Direct Certification Application" for full documentation and instructions.
Who can be contacted with questions about the announcement or access issues?
The listed contact is Dawn Addison Washington, Grants Officer at FNS. The phone number provided is 703-305-2450.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Food and Nutrition
Next opportunity: Community Forest and Open Space Program
Previous opportunity: Anthropogenic Influences on Organic Aerosol Formation and Regional Climate Implications, Early Career
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA FNS DC 12
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA FNS DC 12) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| USDA FNS CNTN FY2012 Apply for USDA FNS CNTN FY2012 Funding Number: USDA FNS CNTN FY2012 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| WIC Nutrition Education Innovations FY2012 Apply for USDA FNS WIC NEI FY2012 Funding Number: USDA FNS WIC NEI FY2012 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| 2012 IFRP RFA Apply for 2012 IFRP RFA 001 Funding Number: 2012 IFRP RFA 001 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| USDA FNS SNAP Participation 2012 Apply for USDA FNS SNPA 2012 Funding Number: USDA FNS SNPA 2012 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Farm to School Grant Program Apply for USDA FNS F2S 2012 Funding Number: USDA FNS F2S 2012 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Modernizing Agricultural Education and Training Systems Program (MAETS) Apply for USAID WASHINGTON BFS 11 000003 RFA Funding Number: USAID WASHINGTON BFS 11 000003 RFA Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $6,250,000 |
| NUTRITION SECURITY PROGRAM IN HAITI Apply for HAITI 521 12 0050 Funding Number: HAITI 521 12 0050 Agency: Haiti USAID Port Au Prince Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $12,000,000 |
| Direct Certification Improvement Grant (Tier I Apply for USDA FNS DC FY 2013 Funding Number: USDA FNS DC FY 2013 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| USDA FNS Administrative Reviews and Training FY2013 Apply for ART1 Funding Number: ART1 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $35,000 |
| FY14 Farm to School Grant Program Apply for USDA FNS F2S 2014 Funding Number: USDA FNS F2S 2014 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| FY13 ART II Apply for USDA FNS ARTII 2013 Funding Number: USDA FNS ARTII 2013 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| FY13 SNAP Program and Technology Improvement Grants Apply for USDA FNS SNAP PTI 2013 Funding Number: USDA FNS SNAP PTI 2013 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| CNTN FY2013 Apply for USDA FNS CNTN FY2013 Funding Number: USDA FNS CNTN FY2013 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| FY13 School Breakfast Program Expansion Grants Apply for USDA FNS SBPE 2013 Funding Number: USDA FNS SBPE 2013 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| IFRP RFA 2013 Apply for IFRP FFP 2013 RFA Funding Number: IFRP FFP 2013 RFA Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| USDA FNS DC FY 2014 Apply for USDA FNS DC FY2014 Funding Number: USDA FNS DC FY2014 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Integrated Nutrition, Hygiene, and Sanitation Apply for RFA 442 14 000001 Funding Number: RFA 442 14 000001 Agency: Cambodia USAID Phnom Penh Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $16,250,000 |
| The Innovation Fund for Ethiopia Agriculture (IFEA) Apply for APS 663 14 000002 Funding Number: APS 663 14 000002 Agency: Ethiopia USAID Addis Ababa Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $6,000,000 |
| USAID/Bangladesh DRAFT FtF Livestock Project Apply for 388 14 00099 Funding Number: 388 14 00099 Agency: Bangladesh USAID Dhaka Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY14 FDPNE Projects Apply for USDA FNS FDD FDPNE FY14 Funding Number: USDA FNS FDD FDPNE FY14 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $200,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA FNS DC 12", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.