Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA CSREES SAECP 002584
Apply for USDA CSREES SAECP 002584
- The CSREES in the agriculture education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Secondary Education, Two Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K 12 Classroom Challenge Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.226 Secondary and Two Year Postsecondary Agriculture Education Challenge Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 25, 2009 and posted on Sep 25, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 15, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Applications may be submitted by eligible public secondary schools, public or private, nonprofit junior or community colleges, and nonprofit organizations. IMPORTANT See RFA for specific eligibility requirements.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The Secondary Education, Two Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K 12 Classroom Challenge Grants program, commonly referred to as SPECA, is a discretionary grant opportunity run by USDA CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service). Its core purpose is workforce and education pipeline development in the food and agricultural sciences. The program is designed to strengthen agriscience and agribusiness instruction at the secondary level and at two-year postsecondary institutions, while also encouraging tighter alignment between secondary schools, community colleges, and four-year higher education programs. In practice, the goal is to improve the quality and reach of agricultural education so more students are prepared for careers in the agriculture and food system and, importantly, so more students are motivated and able to continue on to earn a bachelors degree or higher in food and agricultural sciences.
SPECA emphasizes projects that create complementary, connected pathways rather than isolated classroom improvements. The opportunity explicitly aims to promote "complementary and synergistic linkages" among secondary, two-year postsecondary, and higher education programs. That typically means proposals are expected to show collaboration, articulation, or coordination across institutions, such as aligning curricula, building clear transition routes from high school to community college to a four-year program, or creating shared learning experiences that help students see agriculture as a modern, science-based, and viable professional field. The program also supports bringing agriculture into the K-12 classroom context in ways that make the subject more visible and relevant to a broad student population, not only those already enrolled in traditional agricultural programs.
This funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number USDA CSREES SAECP 002584) falls under the Agriculture Education activity category and is associated with CFDA 10.226, Secondary and Two Year Postsecondary Agriculture Education Challenge Grants. Grants are the funding instrument, and cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants need to plan for and document non-federal contributions according to the specific rules in the request for applications (RFA). Total estimated funding for the competition is listed as $1,000,000, with individual awards expected to range from a floor of $35,000 to a ceiling of $50,000, which signals that projects are intended to be focused, practical, and implementable rather than large, multi-million-dollar initiatives.
Eligibility is described broadly but with important conditions that require checking the RFA. Eligible applicants include public secondary schools; public or private, nonprofit junior or community colleges; nonprofit organizations; and public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. The listing also notes "Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification)" and underscores that applicants should consult the official RFA for precise eligibility requirements and any limitations, documentation needs, or definitions that affect who can apply and under what organizational status.
Key dates show the opportunity was posted and created on September 25, 2009, with an original and current closing date of January 15, 2010, and an archive date of February 16, 2010. While those dates indicate the specific announcement cycle has closed and been archived, the structure and objectives reflect a recurring type of federal education grant aimed at strengthening agricultural education pathways, so similar opportunities may reappear under related USDA education programs depending on year-to-year appropriations and agency priorities.
For support, the announcement points applicants to the CSREES Help Desk for technical access issues (phone 202-401-5048, business hours 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays). It also indicates there is a separate contact pathway for questions about application content preparation, with details typically provided in the full announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the SPECA program?
The Secondary Education, Two Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K 12 Classroom Challenge Grants program (SPECA) is a discretionary grant opportunity run by USDA CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service). It focuses on strengthening agricultural education and building a stronger workforce and education pipeline in the food and agricultural sciences.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The core purpose is workforce and education pipeline development in the food and agricultural sciences. The program is intended to improve the quality and reach of agricultural education so more students are prepared for agriculture and food system careers and are motivated and able to continue on to earn a bachelors degree or higher in food and agricultural sciences.
What types of education levels does SPECA target?
SPECA targets secondary education (public secondary schools) and two-year postsecondary education (public or private, nonprofit junior or community colleges). It also encourages alignment with four-year higher education programs to support student transitions and continued study.
What does SPECA mean by "complementary and synergistic linkages"?
The opportunity emphasizes projects that connect programs rather than making isolated classroom improvements. "Complementary and synergistic linkages" generally refers to collaboration, articulation, or coordination across secondary schools, community colleges, and four-year institutions, such as aligning curricula, building clear transition routes, or creating shared learning experiences.
Does the program support bringing agriculture into K-12 classrooms beyond traditional agriculture programs?
Yes. SPECA supports bringing agriculture into the K-12 classroom context in ways that make the subject more visible and relevant to a broad student population, not only students already enrolled in traditional agricultural programs.
Which agency administers the SPECA opportunity described here?
This opportunity is run by USDA CSREES (Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this announcement?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA CSREES SAECP 002584.
What CFDA program is this associated with?
This opportunity is associated with CFDA 10.226, Secondary and Two Year Postsecondary Agriculture Education Challenge Grants.
What is the activity category for this grant?
The activity category is Agriculture Education.
What type of funding instrument is used?
Grants are the funding instrument for this opportunity.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants must plan for and document non-federal contributions according to the rules in the request for applications (RFA).
How much total funding was estimated for this competition?
The total estimated funding for the competition was listed as $1,000,000.
What is the expected award size?
Individual awards were expected to range from a floor of $35,000 to a ceiling of $50,000. This range suggests projects are intended to be focused, practical, and implementable rather than large-scale initiatives.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described broadly but requires checking the RFA for exact definitions and conditions. Eligible applicants include public secondary schools; public or private, nonprofit junior or community colleges; nonprofit organizations; and public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. The listing also notes "Others" with clarification in additional eligibility information, so the RFA should be consulted for precise requirements.
Why does the announcement emphasize checking the RFA for eligibility?
The listing notes that eligibility includes important conditions and may involve limitations, documentation needs, or definitions that affect who can apply and under what organizational status. The official RFA is where those precise requirements would be spelled out.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted and created on September 25, 2009.
What were the closing dates for applications?
The original and current closing date listed for this announcement cycle was January 15, 2010.
Has this specific announcement cycle been archived?
Yes. The archive date was February 16, 2010, indicating this specific announcement cycle is closed and archived.
Does the fact that this is archived mean similar funding will never be available again?
Not necessarily. While this specific cycle is closed, the description reflects a recurring type of federal education grant focused on strengthening agricultural education pathways. Similar opportunities may reappear under related USDA education programs depending on year-to-year appropriations and agency priorities.
What kinds of projects does SPECA appear to favor based on the description?
Based on the description, SPECA favors projects that strengthen agriscience and agribusiness instruction at the secondary and two-year postsecondary levels while building tighter alignment with four-year programs. Projects that demonstrate collaboration and connected pathways across institutions (rather than standalone improvements) align closely with the stated emphasis.
Where should applicants go for technical help accessing the application systems?
The announcement directs applicants to the CSREES Help Desk for technical access issues at 202-401-5048. Hours are 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.
Is there a separate contact for questions about application content?
Yes. The announcement indicates there is a separate contact pathway for questions about application content preparation, with details typically provided in the full announcement.
Browse more business programs for Agriculture Services, Postsecondary Education
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: CSREES
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture Education
Next opportunity: Statewide Family Network Grants
Previous opportunity: Recovery Act 2009 Limited Competition Innovative Adaptation and Dissemination of AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Research Products (iADAPT) (R18)
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 CSREES SAECP 002584
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA CSREES SAECP 002584) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 002644 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CGP 002644 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Youth Farm Safety Education and Certification Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 002673 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 002673 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Alaska Native Serving and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program (ANNH) Apply for USDA NIFA AHSI 002819 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AHSI 002819 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (RIIA) and Distance Education Grants for Insular Areas (DEG) Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 002820 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 002820 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Higher Education Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 003378 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CGP 003378 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (RIIA) Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 003393 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 003393 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $860,000 |
| Distance Education Grants for Insular Areas (DEG) Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 003396 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 003396 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $720,000 |
| Alaska Native Serving and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA AHSI 003407 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AHSI 003407 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Food And Agricultural Sciences National Needs Graduate Fellowship Grants Apply for USDA NIFA HEP 003435 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HEP 003435 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Education Funding Amount: $262,500 |
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 CSREES SAECP 002584", 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.