Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS MGD 15
Apply for USDA FAS MGD 15
- The Foreign Agricultural Service in the agriculture education other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "McGovern Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.608 Food for Education.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 24, 2014 and posted on Sep 29, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 15, 2015. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $185,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 9 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Private Voluntary Organizations, Cooperatives, Intergovernmental Organizations, Foreign Governments
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Opportunity Summary:
The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) grant opportunity designed to support school-age children in developing countries by combining food assistance with education-focused programming. The core idea is to use donated U.S. agricultural commodities, along with financial and technical support, to improve educational outcomes, strengthen food security, and promote better health for children, with a particular emphasis on reaching girls. In practice, this typically aligns with school feeding and food-for-education approaches that encourage school attendance, reduce short-term hunger that interferes with learning, and support child nutrition while also building local capacity around program implementation.
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: USDA FAS MGD 15) was offered as a discretionary funding program using a cooperative agreement, meaning the government generally expects a more active partnership role than in a standard grant. The funding activity areas span agriculture, education, and related international development work, with the program explicitly framed around food aid and food assistance interventions, including school feeding, child nutrition, and broader food-for-education strategies. The associated CFDA number is 10.608 (Food for Education), which is commonly used to track federal assistance related to international food-for-education initiatives.
The announcement anticipated making around 9 awards, supported by an estimated total funding level of $185,000,000. A key practical point for applicants is that the opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching, which can make participation more feasible for organizations that may not have large unrestricted funds available to meet match requirements. Eligible applicants were defined as Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs), cooperatives, intergovernmental organizations, and foreign governments, reflecting the program’s international delivery model and the need for entities capable of operating or coordinating across borders, supply chains, and education systems.
In terms of timing, the opportunity was posted on September 29, 2014, with an original closing date of December 30, 2014, later extended to a current closing date of January 15, 2015. The record indicates it was archived on February 2, 2015, signaling that this specific cycle is no longer open, though the McGovern-Dole program itself has historically operated through periodic funding rounds depending on congressional appropriations and USDA/FAS priorities.
For prospective applicants and stakeholders, the full announcement and proposal guidance were made available through a referenced web link in the official posting, including instructions for electronic submission and required supporting documentation. For access issues or questions, the listed point of contact was Debra Pfaff, Branch Chief, reachable at 202-720-4221, with an email account designated for all inquiries and questions.
McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program (USDA FAS MGD 15) FAQs
What is the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program?
It is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) grant opportunity designed to support school-age children in developing countries by pairing food assistance with education-focused programming. The program’s central approach is to use donated U.S. agricultural commodities along with financial and technical support to improve educational outcomes, strengthen food security, and promote better health for children.
What is the core purpose of this grant opportunity?
The core purpose is to improve learning and child well-being by addressing short-term hunger and nutrition barriers that interfere with education, while also encouraging school attendance. The opportunity is framed around food-for-education strategies, including school feeding and child nutrition interventions, and it also emphasizes building local capacity to implement and sustain programs.
Who does the program aim to serve?
The program is intended to benefit school-age children in developing countries, with a particular emphasis on reaching girls.
What types of interventions does this opportunity typically support?
Based on the description, it typically aligns with school feeding and food-for-education approaches. These are meant to encourage school attendance, reduce short-term hunger that can interfere with learning, and support child nutrition, while strengthening local implementation capacity.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA FAS MGD 15.
What federal assistance listing (CFDA) number is associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA number is 10.608, listed as Food for Education. This number is commonly used to track federal assistance related to international food-for-education initiatives.
What kind of award instrument was used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This opportunity was offered using a cooperative agreement. That generally means the government expects a more active partnership role than in a standard grant.
What activity areas does the opportunity cover?
The funding activity areas span agriculture, education, and related international development work, with the program explicitly framed around food aid and food assistance interventions such as school feeding, child nutrition, and broader food-for-education strategies.
How many awards were anticipated?
The announcement anticipated making around 9 awards.
What was the estimated total funding level for this opportunity?
The estimated total funding level was $185,000,000.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants were defined as Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs), cooperatives, intergovernmental organizations, and foreign governments.
Why does the eligibility list include international entities like intergovernmental organizations and foreign governments?
The eligibility categories reflect the program’s international delivery model and the need for organizations or entities capable of operating or coordinating across borders, supply chains, and education systems.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on September 29, 2014.
What were the application deadlines?
The original closing date was December 30, 2014, and it was later extended to a current closing date of January 15, 2015.
Is this specific funding cycle still open?
No. The record indicates it was archived on February 2, 2015, which signals that this specific cycle is no longer open.
Does the McGovern-Dole program run only once, or are there periodic opportunities?
This specific cycle is closed, but the McGovern-Dole program itself has historically operated through periodic funding rounds depending on congressional appropriations and USDA/FAS priorities.
Where were the full announcement and proposal guidance provided?
The full announcement and proposal guidance were made available through a referenced web link in the official posting. This included instructions for electronic submission and required supporting documentation.
What kinds of application details were included in the official announcement materials?
According to the posting, the official materials included proposal guidance, instructions for electronic submission, and a description of required supporting documentation.
Who was the point of contact for questions or access issues?
The listed point of contact was Debra Pfaff, Branch Chief.
How could applicants contact the point of contact?
The phone number provided was 202-720-4221, and the posting also referenced an email account designated for all inquiries and questions.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA FAS MGD 15) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| McGovern Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program Apply for USDA FAS MGD 16 Funding Number: USDA FAS MGD 16 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Education Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Commodity Partnerships Program Apply for USDA RMA RME 2008 01 Funding Number: USDA RMA RME 2008 01 Agency: Risk Management Agency Category: Agriculture Education Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| Targeted States Program Apply for USDA RMA RME 2008 02 Funding Number: USDA RMA RME 2008 02 Agency: Risk Management Agency Category: Agriculture Education Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $754,000 |
| Commodity Partnerships Small Sessions Program Apply for USDA RMA RME 2008 03 Funding Number: USDA RMA RME 2008 03 Agency: Risk Management Agency Category: Agriculture Education Other (see text field entitled Explanation of Other Category of Funding Activity for clarification) Funding Amount: $10,000 |
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