Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA CSREES F4HN 002177
Apply for USDA CSREES F4HN 002177
- The CSREES in the community development consumer protection education employment, labor and training environment food and nutrition health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rural Youth Development Grants" 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 Apr 3, 2009 and posted on Apr 3, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 20, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,696,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $549,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Rural Youth Development Grants eligibility is limited to Girl Scouts of the USA, the National 4 H Council, the Boy Scouts of America, and the National FFA Organization
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Opportunity Summary:
The Rural Youth Development Grants program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by USDA CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service) under CFDA 10.500, Cooperative Extension Service. It is designed to address the specific challenges rural youth face, particularly the economic and geographic barriers that can limit access to essential care, services, and resources needed for healthy development. The program focuses on improving day-to-day opportunities for young people in rural communities and strengthening the communities themselves by helping youth become more engaged, better supported, and more connected to information and services.
At the core of the program is the goal of breaking down barriers to participation for rural youth. This includes expanding opportunities for youth to take part in policy and decision-making processes that affect their lives, creating safe and welcoming spaces where youth activities can take place, and improving access to information and technology so rural young people are not isolated from educational, civic, and career-related resources. In practical terms, the program is aimed at helping rural youth build skills, confidence, and community ties while also improving the environments and support systems around them.
The funding supports activities that fall across a wide set of public-interest categories, including community development, education, employment and workforce preparation, health, environment, food and nutrition, and consumer protection. This broad scope signals that projects can be multi-purpose as long as they clearly contribute to youth development outcomes in rural settings and align with the program priorities around participation, safe environments, and access to information/technology.
For the FY 2009 cycle reflected in the announcement, USDA anticipated making 4 awards with an estimated total funding amount of $1,696,000. The award structure listed a floor and ceiling of $549,000, indicating that awards were expected to be issued at roughly that level per recipient. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching funds, which can make it easier for eligible organizations to participate without needing to secure additional non-federal dollars to meet a match requirement.
Eligibility is highly restricted. Only four national youth-serving organizations are eligible to apply: Girl Scouts of the USA, the National 4-H Council, the Boy Scouts of America, and the National FFA Organization. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the opportunity category is discretionary, meaning awards are made competitively at the agency's discretion based on the solicitation criteria rather than by formula.
Key dates for this posting were: Posted/Created on April 3, 2009, with an application closing date of May 20, 2009, and an archive date of February 17, 2010. For access issues or questions about the request for applications (RFA), the announcement directs applicants to the CSREES Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET).
Rural Youth Development Grants (USDA CSREES, CFDA 10.500) - FAQs
What is the Rural Youth Development Grants program?
The Rural Youth Development Grants program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by USDA CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service) under CFDA 10.500, Cooperative Extension Service. It is intended to address challenges rural youth face, especially economic and geographic barriers that limit access to essential care, services, and resources needed for healthy development.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The program aims to improve day-to-day opportunities for young people in rural communities and strengthen rural communities by helping youth become more engaged, better supported, and more connected to information and services. A core emphasis is breaking down barriers to participation for rural youth.
What barriers does the program specifically try to reduce for rural youth?
Based on the opportunity description, the program focuses on reducing barriers tied to rural life, including economic barriers and geographic isolation. It also emphasizes expanding access to information and technology so rural young people are not cut off from educational, civic, and career-related resources.
What kinds of activities or strategies does the program prioritize?
The announcement highlights several priority approaches, including:
- Expanding opportunities for rural youth to participate in policy and decision-making processes that affect their lives.
- Creating safe and welcoming spaces where youth activities can take place.
- Improving access to information and technology to reduce isolation and increase connection to resources.
What topic areas can projects cover?
The funding supports activities across a wide range of public-interest categories, including:
- Community development
- Education
- Employment and workforce preparation
- Health
- Environment
- Food and nutrition
- Consumer protection
This broad scope suggests projects may be multi-purpose if they clearly contribute to youth development outcomes in rural settings and align with the program priorities around participation, safe environments, and access to information/technology.
Is this a formula grant or a competitive opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity, meaning awards are made competitively at the agency's discretion based on the solicitation criteria rather than by formula.
What is the funding instrument type for this opportunity?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
How many awards were anticipated for the FY 2009 cycle described?
USDA anticipated making 4 awards for the FY 2009 cycle reflected in the announcement.
What was the estimated total funding amount for FY 2009?
The estimated total funding amount for the FY 2009 cycle was $1,696,000.
What was the expected award size (floor and ceiling)?
The award structure listed a floor of $549,000 and a ceiling of $549,000, indicating awards were expected to be issued at roughly that level per recipient.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching funds.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is highly restricted. Only four national youth-serving organizations are eligible to apply:
- Girl Scouts of the USA
- National 4-H Council
- Boy Scouts of America
- National FFA Organization
Can local organizations, schools, nonprofits, or municipalities apply directly?
Not under the eligibility statement provided. The announcement specifies that only four national youth-serving organizations are eligible applicants: Girl Scouts of the USA, the National 4-H Council, the Boy Scouts of America, and the National FFA Organization.
What types of communities does the program focus on?
The program focuses on rural communities and on improving opportunities and support systems for youth in those rural settings.
How does the program define the kinds of outcomes it is seeking?
The description emphasizes outcomes tied to youth development in rural areas, including helping youth build skills, confidence, and community ties, while also improving the environments and support systems around them. It also highlights youth engagement, support, and connection to information and services.
What does "breaking down barriers to participation" mean in this context?
Within the program description, it includes actions such as expanding opportunities for youth to participate in policy and decision-making, creating safe and welcoming activity spaces, and improving access to information and technology so youth can connect to educational, civic, and career resources.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 10.500 (Cooperative Extension Service).
Which USDA office administers this opportunity?
The program is administered by USDA CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service).
When was the opportunity posted?
The posting was created on April 3, 2009.
What was the application deadline for the FY 2009 posting?
The application closing date listed was May 20, 2009.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date listed was February 17, 2010.
Who should applicants contact for access issues or questions about the RFA?
For access issues or questions about the request for applications (RFA), the announcement directs applicants to the CSREES Help Desk at 202-401-5048.
What are the CSREES Help Desk hours?
The CSREES Help Desk is listed as available during business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.
Does the program allow multi-purpose projects?
The opportunity describes a broad set of allowable public-interest categories and notes that projects can be multi-purpose as long as they clearly contribute to youth development outcomes in rural settings and align with the program priorities (participation, safe environments, and access to information/technology).
What makes this opportunity "discretionary"?
The announcement describes the opportunity as discretionary, meaning awards are made competitively at the agency's discretion according to the solicitation criteria rather than being distributed automatically by a formula.
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