Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 003517
Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 003517
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the community development education humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) information and statistics sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Military Family Readiness System" 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 Aug 11, 2011 and posted on Aug 11, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 12, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,818,182.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,818,182.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Individuals Small businesses Private institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.
- Applications may be submitted by State agricultural experiment stations, State cooperative extension services, all colleges and universities, other research or educational institutions or organizations, Federal and private agencies and organizations, non profit organizations, individuals, and any other domestic contractor or recipient, to further research, extension, or teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences of the Department of Agriculture.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Military Family Readiness System (MFRS) grant opportunity was a one-time, FY 2011 discretionary funding announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The purpose was to fund the development of a Department of Defense (DoD) standard training resource that could be used jointly across the military Services. In practical terms, the grant sought a single, high-quality training package, along with supporting materials, designed to help Family Center and Family Readiness program staff do their jobs more consistently and effectively across installations and Services.
At the core of the project was workforce preparation. NIFA was looking for an applicant capable of building an effective and efficient training system for both management and front-line employees working in military family support settings. The training was expected to help staff implement specific Family Center/Family Readiness programs while also understanding how those programs fit into a broader social service delivery system model. That framing matters because it signals that the training was not intended to be just a collection of program how-tos; it was meant to strengthen how services are delivered overall, including how staff coordinate, refer, and integrate supports for military families within a structured service system.
The funding instrument for this opportunity was a cooperative agreement, which typically implies substantial involvement or partnership with the federal sponsor compared to a standard grant. NIFA anticipated making one award, with an estimated total funding level of $1,818,182. The award ceiling was the same amount, meaning the intent was to fund one recipient up to that full level, and there was no stated minimum (award floor of $0). There was no cost sharing or matching requirement, so applicants were not required to bring additional non-federal funds to be considered.
Eligibility was broad and domestic-focused, reflecting NIFA's extension and education mission. Eligible applicants included individuals, small businesses, for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses), nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, private and public institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities as described in the announcement. The eligibility language also emphasized that applications could come from state agricultural experiment stations, cooperative extension services, colleges and universities, other research or educational organizations, federal and private agencies, nonprofits, individuals, and other domestic contractors or recipients, provided the work furthered USDA research, extension, or teaching programs in food and agricultural sciences. Even though the project focus is military family readiness rather than agriculture, NIFA often operates through education and extension-style delivery models, which aligns with building training and capacity-development resources.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted on August 11, 2011, with an application deadline of September 12, 2011, and it was later archived on October 12, 2011. It was listed under CFDA number 10.500 (Cooperative Extension Service) and categorized under Community Development, Education, and Humanities. Applicants needing help accessing the full announcement were directed to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours (Eastern Time), excluding federal holidays.
Military Family Readiness System (MFRS) Grant (FY 2011) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Military Family Readiness System (MFRS) grant opportunity?
The Military Family Readiness System (MFRS) grant opportunity was a one-time FY 2011 discretionary funding announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
Who was the federal sponsor for this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency was USDA NIFA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture).
Was this a recurring program or a one-time funding opportunity?
It was described as a one-time, FY 2011 discretionary funding announcement.
What was the overall purpose of the grant?
The purpose was to fund the development of a Department of Defense (DoD) standard training resource that could be used jointly across the military Services.
What did NIFA want the funded project to produce?
The announcement sought a single, high-quality training package with supporting materials, designed to help Family Center and Family Readiness program staff deliver services more consistently and effectively across installations and across Services.
What was the core focus of the project?
Workforce preparation was at the core of the project. NIFA was looking for an applicant capable of building an effective and efficient training system for both management and front-line employees working in military family support settings.
Who were the intended trainees or end users of the training system?
The training was intended for management and front-line employees working in military family support settings, specifically including staff in Family Center and Family Readiness programs.
Was the training expected to cover specific programs, broader service delivery concepts, or both?
Both. The training was expected to help staff implement specific Family Center/Family Readiness programs and also understand how those programs fit into a broader social service delivery system model.
How was the training positioned beyond "how-to" guidance?
The framing indicated the training was not intended to be only a collection of program how-tos. It was meant to strengthen service delivery overall, including how staff coordinate, refer, and integrate supports for military families within a structured service system.
What type of funding instrument was used?
The funding instrument was a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that the award was a cooperative agreement?
As described in the opportunity summary, a cooperative agreement typically implies substantial involvement or partnership with the federal sponsor compared to a standard grant.
How many awards did NIFA anticipate making?
NIFA anticipated making one award.
What was the total estimated funding available?
The estimated total funding level was $1,818,182.
What was the maximum award amount (ceiling)?
The award ceiling was $1,818,182.
Was there a minimum award amount (floor)?
No minimum award amount was stated; the award floor was listed as $0.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. There was no cost sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was broad and domestic-focused. Eligible applicants included individuals, small businesses, for-profit organizations (including those other than small businesses), nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, private and public institutions of higher education, and other eligible entities as described in the announcement.
Did the eligibility description include research, extension, and education organizations?
Yes. The eligibility language emphasized that applications could come from state agricultural experiment stations, cooperative extension services, colleges and universities, other research or educational organizations, federal and private agencies, nonprofits, individuals, and other domestic contractors or recipients.
Did the announcement require that the work further USDA research, extension, or teaching programs?
Yes. The eligibility language noted that applicants were eligible provided the work furthered USDA research, extension, or teaching programs in food and agricultural sciences.
How does a military family readiness training project align with NIFA?
The description explained that while the project focus was military family readiness rather than agriculture, NIFA often operates through education and extension-style delivery models, which aligns with building training and capacity-development resources.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on August 11, 2011.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was September 12, 2011.
When was the opportunity archived?
It was archived on October 12, 2011.
What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity was listed under CFDA number 10.500 (Cooperative Extension Service).
How was the opportunity categorized?
It was categorized under Community Development, Education, and Humanities.
Who should applicants contact for help accessing the full announcement?
Applicants needing help accessing the full announcement were directed to the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048.
What were the Help Desk hours and any exceptions mentioned?
The Help Desk was available during standard weekday business hours (Eastern Time), excluding federal holidays.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Community Development Education Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Information and Statistics
Next opportunity: Rail Corridor Risk Management System (RCRMS)
Previous opportunity: Recreation Tourism Demand Inventory and Monitoring Assessment Capacity Building in the State of Colorado.
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 EXCA 003517
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA EXCA 003517) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| HISTORIC RESOURCE STUDY HARRIETT TUBMAN NATIONAL MONUMENT Apply for P14AS00285 Funding Number: P14AS00285 Agency: National Park Service Category: Community Development Education Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Information and Statistics Funding Amount: $94,994 |
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 EXCA 003517", 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.