Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 004573
Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 004573
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Military Families Learning Network" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.500 Cooperative Extension Service.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 10, 2014 and posted on Jul 10, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 8, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,187,842.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Applications may be submitted by State agricultural experiment stations, State cooperative extension services, all colleges and universities, other research or educational institution or organization, and any other contractor or recipient, either foreign or domestic, to further research, extension, or teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences of the Department of Agriculture.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Military Families Learning Network (MFLN) Competitive Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) under CFDA 10.500, Cooperative Extension Service. The core purpose of the program is to support the creation and improvement of a coordinated platform that strengthens the people and organizations serving military families. In practical terms, the grant is aimed at building an efficient, effective learning and support network that can deliver workforce development and professional development for practitioners, while also expanding local capacity so communities can better respond to the real-world needs of military families and the service providers who assist them.
Funding for this opportunity was listed at an estimated total of $2,187,842. The funding instrument is a grant, and the opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching funds, which can lower barriers for applicants who do not have access to non-federal match resources. The program is positioned within NIFA's broader mission area related to extension, education, and capacity building, which is why the eligibility and activity framing ties back to the food and agricultural sciences and the Cooperative Extension system, even though the direct subject matter focus here is military family readiness and support.
Eligibility is broad and includes state agricultural experiment stations, state cooperative extension services, colleges and universities, and other research or educational institutions or organizations. The announcement also notes that other contractors or recipients, whether domestic or foreign, may apply as long as the proposed work advances USDA research, extension, or teaching programs within the food and agricultural sciences. This structure reflects NIFA's typical approach: supporting applied education and extension-style delivery systems that translate research and best practices into usable training, tools, and programming at the community level.
From an outcomes perspective, the opportunity is explicitly organized around two major goals. First, it seeks to improve workforce development, including professional development, which suggests funding priorities like training curricula, continuing education, knowledge-sharing systems, and skills development for professionals who work with military families. Second, it focuses on building local capacity, meaning the grant is intended to strengthen on-the-ground networks, partnerships, and program delivery so that support for military families is not limited to centralized resources but is actually accessible and actionable in local communities.
Key administrative details from the listing include the Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA EXCA 004573. The opportunity was posted and created on July 10, 2014, with an original and current closing date of August 8, 2014, and an archive date of September 7, 2014, indicating this is a past, archived funding round rather than an active solicitation. For applicants needing help accessing the full announcement, the notice points to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays).
Military Families Learning Network (MFLN) Competitive Grant Program - FAQs
What is the Military Families Learning Network (MFLN) Competitive Grant Program?
The MFLN Competitive Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is listed under CFDA 10.500 (Cooperative Extension Service) and is designed to support the creation and improvement of a coordinated platform that strengthens the people and organizations serving military families.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The core purpose is to build and enhance a coordinated learning and support platform that strengthens practitioners and organizations serving military families. In practical terms, it aims to create an efficient, effective network that delivers workforce development and professional development for practitioners, while also expanding local capacity so communities can better respond to the needs of military families and the service providers who assist them.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by USDA NIFA (the National Institute of Food and Agriculture).
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The listing identifies CFDA 10.500, Cooperative Extension Service.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number provided in the listing is USDA NIFA EXCA 004573.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
How much funding was available under this opportunity?
The estimated total funding listed for this opportunity was $2,187,842.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states that cost sharing or matching funds are not required.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as broad and includes state agricultural experiment stations, state cooperative extension services, colleges and universities, and other research or educational institutions or organizations.
Can contractors or other recipients apply?
Yes. The announcement notes that other contractors or recipients may apply, whether domestic or foreign, as long as the proposed work advances USDA research, extension, or teaching programs within the food and agricultural sciences.
Are foreign applicants allowed?
The listing indicates that domestic or foreign contractors or recipients may apply if the proposed work advances USDA research, extension, or teaching programs within the food and agricultural sciences.
How does this opportunity relate to USDA and the food and agricultural sciences?
While the subject matter focus is military family readiness and support, the program is positioned within NIFA's broader mission area tied to extension, education, and capacity building. The eligibility and activity framing connects back to USDA research, extension, or teaching programs within the food and agricultural sciences and the Cooperative Extension system.
What are the main goals or outcome areas emphasized by the opportunity?
The opportunity is organized around two major goals: (1) improving workforce development, including professional development, and (2) building local capacity to strengthen on-the-ground networks, partnerships, and program delivery for military families and service providers.
What does the grant mean by "workforce development" and "professional development" in this context?
Based on the listing, workforce development and professional development point to efforts such as training curricula, continuing education, knowledge-sharing systems, and skills development for professionals who work with military families.
What does "building local capacity" mean for this grant?
Building local capacity refers to strengthening local networks, partnerships, and community-level program delivery so support for military families is accessible and actionable in local communities, not limited to centralized resources.
Is this an active funding opportunity?
No. The listing indicates it is a past, archived funding round rather than an active solicitation.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted (and created) on July 10, 2014.
What were the application closing dates?
The original closing date and the current closing date were both August 8, 2014.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date listed is September 7, 2014.
Where can applicants get help accessing the full announcement?
The notice directs applicants to the NIFA Help Desk for assistance.
What is the NIFA Help Desk phone number and hours?
The NIFA Help Desk can be reached at 202-401-5048 during standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
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