Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA CFP 003888
Apply for USDA NIFA CFP 003888
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture education food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Food Security Learning Center" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.225 Community Food Projects.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 9, 2012 and posted on Jul 9, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 9, 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 $200,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Only non governmental organizations (NGOs) are eligible to submit an application. Eligible NGOs must be (1) Experienced in working with targeted entities Federal agencies, States, political subdivisions, and other non governmental organizations and in organizing workshops that demonstrate programs to targeted entities (2) Experienced in identifying programs that effectively address food security and community problems, including loss of farms and ranches, rural poverty, welfare dependency, hunger, the need for job training, and the need for self sufficiency by individuals and communities, that can be implemented by other targeted entities (3) Experienced in, and capable of receiving information from and communicating with targeted entities throughout the United States and (4) Experienced in operating a national information clearinghouse that addresses one or more of the community problems described in item (2) above. 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Food Security Learning Center (FSLC) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA CFP 003888) is a discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.225 (Community Food Projects). Its central purpose is to establish and sustain a national, web-based learning and information hub that functions as a clearinghouse for community food security knowledge and practical, field-tested solutions. The FSLC is meant to collect, organize, and share information about the real-world conditions that drive hunger and poverty, with particular attention to interconnected issues such as the loss of farms and ranches, rural poverty, welfare dependency, barriers to food access, and the need for job training and long-term self-sufficiency for individuals and communities.
At its core, the project is designed to help communities and organizations learn from each other by highlighting innovative approaches, including Community Food Projects, that address hunger and food insecurity through constructive, community-based or grassroots strategies. Rather than focusing only on direct food aid, the FSLC concept emphasizes underlying causes and durable solutions, so the clearinghouse is expected to point users toward programs and models that strengthen local capacity, improve economic stability, expand access to healthy food, and reduce dependence on short-term interventions. A key deliverable is guidance and usable information for "targeted entities" across the country, which include federal agencies, states, political subdivisions, and other non-governmental organizations, so they can replicate or adapt proven approaches in their own contexts.
Funding for this opportunity is relatively small but focused: NIFA anticipated an estimated total funding amount of $200,000, with an award ceiling of $200,000 and no stated award floor. The program requires cost sharing or matching, meaning the recipient is expected to contribute resources beyond federal funds. The announcement also notes that the FSLC should contribute in-kind resources toward implementation, reinforcing the expectation that the grantee will bring existing capacity, partnerships, staff time, technology infrastructure, content, or other non-cash support to help make the clearinghouse viable and useful.
Eligibility is limited strictly to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). To qualify, an NGO must demonstrate substantial national-level capability and a track record in several specific areas: working with a range of targeted entities (including public agencies) and organizing workshops that showcase programs; identifying effective programs that tackle the listed food security and community problems; maintaining the ability to receive information from and communicate with entities across the United States; and operating a national information clearinghouse that addresses at least one of the key community problems identified in the announcement. While only eligible NGOs may apply directly, award recipients are allowed to subcontract to otherwise ineligible organizations if those partners are necessary to carry out the work. The notice also makes clear that failing to meet eligibility requirements by the deadline can lead to the application being excluded or prevent NIFA from making an award even if the application is reviewed.
This funding opportunity was posted on July 9, 2012, with an original and current closing date of August 9, 2012, and an archive date of September 8, 2012, indicating it is a past competition rather than an open solicitation. The activity categories tied to the program are Agriculture, Education, and Food and Nutrition, which reflects the FSLC's blend of practical community development, knowledge dissemination, and learning support. For administrative help accessing the announcement, the listing points applicants to the NIFA Help Desk (202-401-5048) during business hours.
Food Security Learning Center (FSLC) Grant (USDA NIFA CFP 003888) - FAQs
What is the Food Security Learning Center (FSLC) grant opportunity?
The FSLC grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA CFP 003888) is a discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), under CFDA 10.225 (Community Food Projects).
What is the main purpose of the FSLC project?
The central purpose is to establish and sustain a national, web-based learning and information hub that serves as a clearinghouse for community food security knowledge and practical, field-tested solutions. The goal is to help communities and organizations learn from each other and replicate or adapt proven approaches.
What does "web-based learning and information hub" mean in this program?
Based on the announcement, it means creating a national online clearinghouse that collects, organizes, and shares information, guidance, and usable resources about community food security problems and solutions, so organizations across the United States can access and apply that information.
What kinds of issues is the FSLC expected to address?
The FSLC is intended to share information about real-world conditions that drive hunger and poverty, with attention to interconnected issues including loss of farms and ranches, rural poverty, welfare dependency, barriers to food access, and the need for job training and long-term self-sufficiency for individuals and communities.
Is the FSLC focused on emergency food assistance?
No. The FSLC concept emphasizes underlying causes of hunger and food insecurity and promotes durable, community-based solutions rather than focusing only on direct food aid. The clearinghouse is expected to point users toward approaches that build local capacity, improve economic stability, expand access to healthy food, and reduce reliance on short-term interventions.
What types of strategies or projects should the FSLC highlight?
The FSLC is intended to highlight innovative, constructive, community-based or grassroots strategies, including Community Food Projects, that address hunger and food insecurity and provide practical models other communities can replicate or adapt.
Who are the "targeted entities" that the FSLC should serve?
The announcement identifies targeted entities as including federal agencies, states, political subdivisions, and other non-governmental organizations. The FSLC is expected to provide guidance and usable information to these entities nationwide.
What is the funding amount for this opportunity?
NIFA anticipated an estimated total funding amount of $200,000. The award ceiling is $200,000, and there is no stated award floor.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The program requires cost sharing or matching, meaning the recipient is expected to contribute resources beyond the federal funds.
What does the opportunity say about in-kind contributions?
The announcement notes the FSLC should contribute in-kind resources toward implementation. This reinforces that the grantee is expected to bring existing capacity to support the clearinghouse, such as staff time, partnerships, technology infrastructure, content, or other non-cash support.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited strictly to non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Are government agencies eligible to apply directly?
No. The opportunity states eligibility is limited strictly to NGOs, even though the FSLC is expected to serve targeted entities that include federal and other public agencies.
What national-level capabilities must an eligible NGO demonstrate?
An eligible NGO must demonstrate substantial national-level capability and a track record in specific areas, including: working with a range of targeted entities (including public agencies) and organizing workshops that showcase programs; identifying effective programs that address the listed community food security problems; maintaining the ability to receive information from and communicate with entities across the United States; and operating a national information clearinghouse that addresses at least one of the key community problems identified in the announcement.
Does the NGO need to already operate a clearinghouse?
Yes, the eligibility criteria include operating a national information clearinghouse that addresses at least one of the key community problems identified in the notice.
Can the award recipient subcontract parts of the work?
Yes. Award recipients are allowed to subcontract to otherwise ineligible organizations if those partners are necessary to carry out the work.
What happens if an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements by the deadline?
The notice states that failing to meet eligibility requirements by the deadline can lead to the application being excluded or can prevent NIFA from making an award even if the application is reviewed.
What are the activity categories associated with this opportunity?
The activity categories tied to the program are Agriculture, Education, and Food and Nutrition.
What are the key dates for this funding opportunity?
The opportunity was posted on July 9, 2012. The original and current closing date is August 9, 2012. The archive date is September 8, 2012.
Is this an open funding opportunity right now?
No. The listed dates (closing date in 2012 and an archive date in 2012) indicate this is a past competition rather than an open solicitation.
Where can applicants get administrative help accessing the announcement?
For administrative help accessing the announcement, the listing points applicants to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during business hours.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.225 (Community Food Projects).
What is the role of workshops in the required capabilities?
One of the required demonstrated capabilities is working with targeted entities and organizing workshops that showcase programs, indicating the clearinghouse effort is expected to include convening and learning activities in addition to maintaining online information resources.
What does "field-tested solutions" imply for FSLC content?
It implies the clearinghouse should emphasize practical approaches that have been used in real-world settings, highlighting effective programs and models that other communities can learn from and potentially replicate or adapt.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture Education Food and Nutrition
Next opportunity: Water Quality Monitoring in Montana
Previous opportunity: Notice of Intent to Award Developing Collaborative Conservation and Leadership Models Marsh Billings Rockefeller NHP in Vermont
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 NIFA CFP 003888
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA CFP 003888) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| International Science and Education Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA SERDIP 002675 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SERDIP 002675 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| International Science and Education Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CIP 003379 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CIP 003379 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Afghanistan Agricultural Extension Project Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 003453 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 003453 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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 NIFA CFP 003888", 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.
