Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 003740
Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 003740
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "National AgrAbility Program" 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 Mar 29, 2012 and posted on Mar 29, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 17, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $482,400.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Private institutions of higher education.
- Applications may be submitted by Cooperative Extension at 1890 Land Grant Institutions, including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University, at 1862 Land Grant Colleges and Universities, and the University of the District of Columbia. 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The National AgrAbility Program is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) discretionary grant opportunity designed to help people with disabilities who are engaged in production agriculture, along with their families, stay productive, safe, and economically viable. The program is centered on a practical, person-focused outcome: improving quality of life for agricultural producers with disabilities by increasing their chances of continued success in farming, ranching, or other production agriculture work. Rather than treating disability support as separate from agricultural work, AgrAbility connects the two by emphasizing real-world solutions that help individuals remain active in their operations and maintain independence.
A defining feature of the program is its cooperative service delivery model. Projects are expected to be led through State Cooperative Extension Services (CES) housed at eligible land-grant institutions, specifically 1862 or 1890 Land Grant Universities and Colleges, as well as the University of the District of Columbia. These CES-led projects then subcontract to private, nonprofit disability organizations, creating a partnership that blends agricultural expertise (Extension) with disability services and assistive technology knowledge (disability organizations). While only certain higher education institutions can apply directly, funded recipients are explicitly allowed to subcontract to other organizations that are not otherwise eligible to apply, as long as those organizations are necessary to carry out the work.
The program measures success in ways that reflect both individual and system-level improvements. On the individual side, outcomes can include greater financial stability for AgrAbility customers, improved access to everyday life activities, and the ability to keep working in agriculture with fewer barriers. On the system side, AgrAbility aims to increase the capacity of states and regions to provide timely, responsive, and satisfactory services for this population. In practice, this means projects may be judged not only by the number of people served, but also by whether the project strengthens a lasting network of expertise, referrals, training, and coordinated support that continues to function beyond the grant period.
AgrAbility also has a strong capacity-building and knowledge-sharing purpose. Because the needs of farmers and ranchers with disabilities can be highly specialized, the program invests in education and networking at multiple levels: national, regional, state, and local. When a state or region lacks the ability to meet those needs, projects are expected to step in and provide direct assistance to customers, while also working to build sustainable service capacity so support does not depend solely on short-term interventions. Supporting and coordinating this broader effort is the National AgrAbility Project, which helps state and regional projects develop their ability to meet program goals through guidance, shared resources, and nationwide collaboration.
From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity was posted March 29, 2012 under Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA SLBCD 003740 and falls under CFDA 10.500 (Cooperative Extension Service). It uses a grant funding instrument, is categorized under agriculture, and does not require cost sharing or matching. The application window originally closed (and ultimately closed) on May 17, 2012, with an archive date of June 16, 2012. The listed award ceiling is $482,400 and the award floor is $0, indicating awards could vary in size up to the maximum amount depending on project scope and available funds.
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, with eligibility specifically tied to Cooperative Extension at 1890 institutions (including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University), 1862 land-grant colleges and universities, and the University of the District of Columbia. The announcement also notes that failure to meet eligibility requirements by the application deadline can result in exclusion from consideration or prevent NIFA from issuing an award even if the application is reviewed. For access issues, NIFA directed applicants to its Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours (Eastern Time), excluding federal holidays.
National AgrAbility Program (USDA NIFA) - FAQs
What is the National AgrAbility Program grant opportunity?
The National AgrAbility Program is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) discretionary grant opportunity designed to help people with disabilities who are engaged in production agriculture, along with their families, remain productive, safe, and economically viable.
What is the main purpose of AgrAbility?
The program is centered on improving quality of life for agricultural producers with disabilities by increasing their chances of continued success in farming, ranching, or other production agriculture work. It emphasizes practical, real-world solutions that help individuals remain active in their operations and maintain independence.
Who does the program serve?
The program is intended for people with disabilities who are engaged in production agriculture and their families.
How does AgrAbility approach disability support in agriculture?
AgrAbility connects disability support and agricultural work rather than treating them separately. The focus is on person-centered, practical outcomes that reduce barriers to staying actively engaged in production agriculture.
What is the cooperative service delivery model used by AgrAbility projects?
Projects are expected to be led through State Cooperative Extension Services (CES) housed at eligible land-grant institutions. These CES-led projects then subcontract to private, nonprofit disability organizations, creating partnerships that combine agricultural expertise (Extension) with disability services and assistive technology knowledge (disability organizations).
Which organizations are expected to lead AgrAbility projects?
Projects are expected to be led through State Cooperative Extension Services (CES) at eligible land-grant institutions, specifically 1862 or 1890 Land Grant Universities and Colleges, as well as the University of the District of Columbia.
Can applicants subcontract to organizations that are not eligible to apply directly?
Yes. Funded recipients are explicitly allowed to subcontract to other organizations that are not otherwise eligible to apply, as long as those organizations are necessary to carry out the work.
What kinds of outcomes does the program consider as “success†for individuals served?
On the individual side, outcomes can include greater financial stability for AgrAbility customers, improved access to everyday life activities, and the ability to keep working in agriculture with fewer barriers.
Does the program evaluate broader, system-level outcomes?
Yes. AgrAbility aims to increase the capacity of states and regions to provide timely, responsive, and satisfactory services for agricultural producers with disabilities. Projects may be judged not only by how many people they serve, but also by whether they strengthen a lasting network of expertise, referrals, training, and coordinated support that continues beyond the grant period.
Is capacity building and knowledge sharing part of the program?
Yes. AgrAbility invests in education and networking at multiple levels (national, regional, state, and local). This reflects the reality that the needs of farmers and ranchers with disabilities can be highly specialized and may require coordinated expertise.
What is expected when a state or region lacks the ability to meet customer needs?
When a state or region lacks the ability to meet those needs, projects are expected to provide direct assistance to customers while also working to build sustainable service capacity so that support does not rely only on short-term interventions.
What is the National AgrAbility Project?
The National AgrAbility Project supports and coordinates the broader effort by helping state and regional projects develop their ability to meet program goals through guidance, shared resources, and nationwide collaboration.
Which agency administers this grant opportunity?
This is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA SLBCD 003740.
What CFDA number is associated with this grant?
The announcement falls under CFDA 10.500 (Cooperative Extension Service).
What type of funding instrument is used?
The opportunity uses a grant funding instrument.
What category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is categorized under agriculture.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement states that cost sharing or matching is not required.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on March 29, 2012.
What was the application deadline?
The application window originally closed (and ultimately closed) on May 17, 2012.
What is the archive date listed for this opportunity?
The archive date is June 16, 2012.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The listed award ceiling is $482,400.
What is the minimum award amount (award floor)?
The listed award floor is $0, indicating awards could vary in size up to the maximum amount depending on project scope and available funds.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, with eligibility specifically tied to Cooperative Extension at 1890 institutions (including Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University), 1862 land-grant colleges and universities, and the University of the District of Columbia.
Are 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions specifically referenced?
Yes. The announcement specifically references 1862 land-grant colleges and universities and 1890 Land Grant Universities and Colleges, and also includes the University of the District of Columbia.
Are any 1890 institutions named in the eligibility description?
Yes. The announcement notes 1890 eligibility and includes examples such as Tuskegee University and West Virginia State University.
What happens if an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements by the deadline?
The announcement notes that failure to meet eligibility requirements by the application deadline can result in exclusion from consideration or can prevent NIFA from issuing an award even if the application is reviewed.
Where could applicants get help with access issues?
For access issues, NIFA directed applicants to its Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard weekday business hours (Eastern Time), excluding federal holidays.
Is this opportunity still open?
No. The application window closed on May 17, 2012, and the opportunity has an archive date of June 16, 2012.
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