Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FNS DC FY 2013
Apply for USDA FNS DC FY 2013
- The Food and Nutrition Service in the food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Direct Certification Improvement Grant (Tier I" 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 Jan 7, 2013 and posted on Jan 7, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 1, 2013 Application Deadlines Tier 1 Grant Applications February 1, 2013 March 1, 2013 April 1, 2013 May 1, 2013 June 1, 2013 and July 1, 2013 Tier 2 Grant Applications April 1, 2013 and July 1, 2013. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $8,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Direct Certification Improvement Grant (Tier I) is a USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) funding opportunity designed to help state agencies strengthen and modernize the way students are directly certified for free school meals. FNS set aside about $8,000,000 in remaining discretionary grant funds to support projects that improve direct certification systems and processes. The broader goal is to increase eligible students access to free meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP), while also improving accuracy and cutting down on paperwork for families and schools by simplifying certification.
This grant opportunity is rooted in requirements created by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) of 2010, which amended the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. HHFKA established specific statewide performance benchmarks for direct certification of children in households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. States were expected to reach at least 80 percent direct certification performance in school year 2011-2012, 90 percent in school year 2012-2013, and 95 percent in school year 2013-2014 and each year after that. If a state did not meet the prior years benchmark, it was required to develop and carry out a Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) explaining the concrete steps it would take to find and directly certify more eligible children, including upgrades or changes to technology, data systems, and databases. The Direct Certification Improvement Grants were created to help states plan and implement those kinds of improvements so they can reach and maintain the required benchmarks.
Tier I specifically focuses on limited-scope planning and short-term implementation projects, using a simplified application process. Under Tier I, grants could be awarded up to $150,000 for projects lasting up to one year. A key detail is that planning funds are capped: no more than $75,000 of a Tier I award can be used for planning activities. Tier I is meant to be especially useful for states that needed to develop or strengthen their Continuous Improvement Plans, particularly those that did not meet the 80 percent benchmark in school year 2011-2012, as well as states seeking to implement smaller, targeted fixes that can be completed quickly.
Eligibility for this funding is limited to state governments (state agencies), and the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, meaning FNS typically expects active involvement or oversight in the work compared to a standard grant award. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement. The opportunity was posted January 7, 2013, under Funding Opportunity Number USDA FNS DC FY 2013, and is associated with CFDA 10.579 (Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability). FNS anticipated making about 10 total awards across the overall opportunity, with an award floor of $75,000 and an award ceiling of $1,000,000 (the higher ceiling applies to Tier II, but the opportunity listing shows the overall ceiling).
For timing, Tier I provided multiple chances for states to apply during 2013, reflecting the intent to move improvements forward quickly. Tier I application deadlines were scheduled for February 1, March 1, April 1, May 1, June 1 (some references note June 3), and July 1, 2013, with later deadlines available only if funds remained. The overall closing date for the opportunity was July 1, 2013, and it was archived July 31, 2013. The administering agency is USDA FNS, and a grant officer contact (Carla Garcia) was listed for applicants needing help accessing the full announcement materials.
In practical terms, Tier I is best understood as a one-year, relatively modest funding track meant to help states quickly design and launch improvements to direct certification, such as developing a required continuous improvement plan, making targeted information system adjustments, improving data matching processes between SNAP and education records, and tightening workflows that reduce manual work and errors. The emphasis throughout is on reaching the HHFKA direct certification benchmarks, expanding access for eligible children, and making the free meal certification process more automatic and reliable for schools and families.
Direct Certification Improvement Grant (Tier I) - FAQs
What is the Direct Certification Improvement Grant (Tier I)?
The Direct Certification Improvement Grant (Tier I) is a USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) funding opportunity for state agencies to strengthen and modernize how students are directly certified for free school meals. The intent is to improve direct certification systems and processes so more eligible students can access free meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP), while reducing paperwork and improving accuracy.
What problem is this grant trying to solve?
This grant supports improvements that make direct certification more automatic and reliable. The emphasis is on increasing the share of eligible children who are directly certified (so families and schools do not have to rely as much on manual applications), improving the accuracy of eligibility determinations, and reducing administrative burden and errors.
Who is the awarding agency?
The administering agency is the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to state governments (state agencies).
Is this a grant or another type of award?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This typically means FNS expects active involvement or oversight in the work compared to a standard grant award.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity.
What is the overall purpose of Tier I compared to other tiers?
Tier I focuses on limited-scope planning and short-term implementation projects using a simplified application process. It is designed for quick, targeted fixes and near-term improvements that can be completed within about one year.
How much funding is available under Tier I?
Under Tier I, grants could be awarded up to $150,000 for projects lasting up to one year.
How long can a Tier I project last?
Tier I projects can last up to one year.
How much of a Tier I award can be used for planning?
Planning funds are capped in Tier I. No more than $75,000 of a Tier I award can be used for planning activities.
What is the minimum award amount mentioned for this opportunity?
The opportunity description indicates an award floor of $75,000.
What is the maximum award amount shown in the listing, and how does that relate to Tier I?
The overall opportunity listing shows an award ceiling of $1,000,000 (a higher ceiling associated with Tier II), but Tier I specifically is described as awarding up to $150,000.
How many awards did FNS anticipate making?
FNS anticipated making about 10 total awards across the overall opportunity.
How much total funding did FNS set aside for these projects?
FNS set aside about $8,000,000 in remaining discretionary grant funds to support projects that improve direct certification systems and processes.
What laws or requirements is this grant tied to?
This opportunity is rooted in requirements created by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) of 2010, which amended the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. HHFKA established statewide performance benchmarks for direct certification of children in households receiving SNAP benefits.
What direct certification performance benchmarks were states expected to meet under HHFKA?
States were expected to reach at least 80 percent direct certification performance in school year 2011-2012, 90 percent in school year 2012-2013, and 95 percent in school year 2013-2014 and each year after that.
What happens if a state does not meet the benchmark?
If a state did not meet the prior year benchmark, it was required to develop and carry out a Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) describing concrete steps to find and directly certify more eligible children. This can include upgrades or changes to technology, data systems, and databases.
How does Tier I relate to a Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP)?
Tier I is meant to be especially useful for states that needed to develop or strengthen their Continuous Improvement Plans, particularly those that did not meet the 80 percent benchmark in school year 2011-2012. It can also support smaller, targeted improvements that align with CIP goals.
What kinds of activities are considered a good fit for Tier I?
Tier I is described as a modest, one-year funding track for quickly designing and launching improvements to direct certification. Examples mentioned include developing a required continuous improvement plan, making targeted information system adjustments, improving data matching processes between SNAP and education records, and tightening workflows to reduce manual work and errors.
Which programs benefit from improved direct certification?
The broader goal is to increase eligible students access to free meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA FNS DC FY 2013.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity is associated with CFDA 10.579 (Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability).
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on January 7, 2013.
What were the Tier I application deadlines?
Tier I application deadlines were scheduled for February 1, March 1, April 1, May 1, June 1 (some references note June 3), and July 1, 2013. Later deadlines were only possible if funds remained.
What was the overall closing date, and when was it archived?
The overall closing date for the opportunity was July 1, 2013, and the listing was archived on July 31, 2013.
Who was listed as the grant officer contact for help accessing full materials?
A grant officer contact (Carla Garcia) was listed for applicants needing help accessing the full announcement materials.
Why does the opportunity emphasize simplified certification and less paperwork?
The stated goal is to simplify certification by making more eligibility determinations automatic through direct certification, which improves accuracy and reduces paperwork for families and schools.
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
| FY15 Farm to School Grant Program Apply for USDA FNS F2S 2015 Funding Number: USDA FNS F2S 2015 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Team Nutrition Training Grant FY2014 Apply for USDA FNS CNTN FY2014 Funding Number: USDA FNS CNTN FY2014 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| HHFKA Demonstration Projects to End Childhood Hunger FY2015 Apply for USDA FNS HHFKA DEMO FY2015 Funding Number: USDA FNS HHFKA DEMO FY2015 Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| USDA FNS FY2014 SNAP Process and Technology Improvement Grants Announcement Apply for USDA FNS FY2014 SNAP PTI GRANTS Funding Number: USDA FNS FY2014 SNAP PTI GRANTS Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| IFRP 2014 Request For Applications Apply for IFRP 2014 000 Funding Number: IFRP 2014 000 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging Apply for HHS 2014 ACL AOA NU 0075 Funding Number: HHS 2014 ACL AOA NU 0075 Agency: Administration for Community Living Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| WIC Educational Materials Development for Updates to the Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work Campaign Apply for USDA FNS WIC FY2014 LOVINGSUPPORT Funding Number: USDA FNS WIC FY2014 LOVINGSUPPORT Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| FY14 SNAP Recipient Trafficking Prevention Grant Apply for USDA FNS SNAP RECIPIENT TRAFFICKING PREV Funding Number: USDA FNS SNAP RECIPIENT TRAFFICKING PREV Agency: Food and Nutrition Service Category: Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $6,000,000 |
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