Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA F4HN 003726
Apply for USDA NIFA F4HN 003726
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rural Youth Development" 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 21, 2012 and posted on Mar 21, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 21, 2012 The Project Management Report, the Decreased Funding Plan and the Accomplishment Report are due by COB on May 14, 2012 (500 p.m. Eastern Time). Templates and tools for these reports will be sent electronically to eligible grantees by the NIFA Program Leader on or before the date the RFA is posted on the NIFA web site. These reports must be submitted electronically to the NIFA National Program Leader at ruralyouth@nifa.usda.gov.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $720,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $288,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Pursuant to 7 U.S.C. Section 7630, only the Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA), the National 4 H Council (4 H), the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), and the National FFA Organization (FFA) are eligible to apply. NIFA will accept only one application from each organization. The application must be developed and submitted by the national office of each respective organization.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Rural Youth Development grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA F4HN 003726) is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.500, Cooperative Extension Service. It is designed to respond to the practical challenges many rural young people face, especially economic and geographic barriers that can limit access to services, supportive programs, and basic resources tied to healthy development. The program focuses on helping rural youth participate more fully in community life and on creating conditions where they can thrive rather than being excluded by distance, cost, or lack of local infrastructure.
The core purpose of the program is to break down barriers to participation for rural youth and to expand opportunities in several key areas. These include strengthening youth involvement in policy and decision-making (so young people have a meaningful voice in issues affecting their communities), improving or creating safe and welcoming environments where youth activities can take place, and increasing access to information and technology that can reduce isolation and open pathways to education, leadership, and civic engagement. In plain terms, the program is trying to ensure that rural youth are not left behind because of where they live and that they have real opportunities to improve both their own lives and the communities around them.
Funding for the opportunity was estimated at a total of $720,000, with an award ceiling of $288,000 and no stated award floor. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies, meaning applicants are expected to contribute non-federal resources alongside grant funds. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is community development, which aligns with the program's emphasis on improving local conditions and expanding youth-centered supports in rural areas.
Eligibility for this opportunity is unusually limited by statute. Under 7 U.S.C. Section 7630, only four national organizations are eligible to apply: the Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA), the National 4-H Council, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), and the National FFA Organization (FFA). NIFA will accept only one application from each organization, and the application must be developed and submitted by the national office of the respective organization. In other words, local councils, chapters, affiliates, partner nonprofits, schools, or local governments cannot apply directly; participation at the local level would typically need to occur through one of these national organizations if they choose to structure projects that way.
Key dates for the announcement show it was posted on March 21, 2012, with an original and current closing date of May 21, 2012, and an archive date of June 20, 2012. The announcement also references required reports, including a Project Management Report, a Decreased Funding Plan, and an Accomplishment Report, due by close of business on May 14, 2012 (5:00 p.m. Eastern). Templates and tools for these reports were to be sent electronically to eligible grantees by the NIFA Program Leader on or before the date the request for applications was posted, and submissions were to be made electronically to the NIFA National Program Leader at ruralyouth@nifa.usda.gov.
For support, the opportunity lists the NIFA Help Desk for difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically (phone 202-401-5048, business hours Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, excluding federal holidays). Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted federal investment, routed through a small set of national youth-serving organizations, to reduce the structural disadvantages rural youth experience and to promote leadership, access, safety, and engagement in rural communities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Rural Youth Development Grant (USDA NIFA)
What is the Rural Youth Development grant opportunity?
The Rural Youth Development grant opportunity is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is listed under CFDA 10.500, Cooperative Extension Service, and is intended to address practical challenges faced by rural young people, especially barriers linked to economics and geography.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA F4HN 003726.
What is the primary purpose of this grant program?
The program aims to reduce barriers that prevent rural youth from participating fully in community life and from accessing supportive programs and resources tied to healthy development. It focuses on expanding opportunities and creating conditions where rural youth can thrive rather than being excluded due to distance, cost, or limited local infrastructure.
What types of challenges is this program designed to address for rural youth?
The program is designed to respond to economic and geographic barriers that can limit rural youth access to services, supportive programs, and basic resources. These barriers can contribute to isolation and reduce access to leadership, civic engagement, and healthy development supports.
What are the main focus areas supported by this grant?
Based on the announcement, the program emphasizes several key areas:
- Strengthening youth involvement in policy and decision-making so young people have a meaningful voice in community issues
- Improving or creating safe and welcoming environments where youth activities can take place
- Increasing access to information and technology to reduce isolation and expand pathways to education, leadership, and civic engagement
What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?
The activity category is community development, reflecting the program's emphasis on improving local conditions and expanding youth-centered supports in rural areas.
What is the total estimated amount of funding available?
The total estimated funding available is $720,000.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $288,000.
Is there a minimum award amount (award floor)?
No award floor is stated in the provided information.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies, meaning applicants are expected to contribute non-federal resources alongside the federal grant funds.
What type of funding instrument is used for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
Who is eligible to apply for the Rural Youth Development grant?
Eligibility is limited by statute (7 U.S.C. Section 7630). Only four national organizations are eligible to apply:
- Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA)
- National 4-H Council
- Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
- National FFA Organization (FFA)
Can local chapters, councils, affiliates, or community partners apply directly?
No. The information provided states that local councils, chapters, affiliates, partner nonprofits, schools, or local governments cannot apply directly. Participation at the local level would typically need to occur through one of the four eligible national organizations if they choose to structure projects that way.
How many applications will NIFA accept from each eligible organization?
NIFA will accept only one application from each of the four eligible organizations.
Who must develop and submit the application?
The application must be developed and submitted by the national office of the respective eligible organization.
When was this funding opportunity posted?
The announcement was posted on March 21, 2012.
What was the closing date for applications?
The original and current closing date listed is May 21, 2012.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date listed is June 20, 2012.
What reports are referenced as required in the announcement?
The announcement references the following required reports:
- Project Management Report
- Decreased Funding Plan
- Accomplishment Report
When were the referenced reports due?
The referenced reports were due by close of business on May 14, 2012 (5:00 p.m. Eastern).
How were templates and tools for the required reports distributed?
Templates and tools were to be sent electronically to eligible grantees by the NIFA Program Leader on or before the date the request for applications was posted.
Where were report submissions sent?
Submissions were to be made electronically to the NIFA National Program Leader at ruralyouth@nifa.usda.gov.
What should applicants do if they have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically?
The opportunity lists the NIFA Help Desk for assistance with difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically.
What are the NIFA Help Desk contact details and hours?
Phone: 202-401-5048. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
In practical terms, what is this program trying to change for rural youth?
In plain terms, the program is trying to ensure rural youth are not left behind because of where they live, by supporting leadership and civic participation, improving safe spaces for youth activities, and expanding access to information and technology that can reduce isolation and open pathways to education and engagement.
Is this opportunity broadly open to the public?
No. The eligibility rules described are narrow and limited to four specified national organizations, with applications submitted only by their national offices.
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