Opportunity Information: Apply for RDBCP SSDPG 2013

  • The Business and Cooperative Programs in the agriculture other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant (SSDPG)" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.771 Rural Cooperative Development Grants.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Jun 24, 2013 and posted on Jun 24, 2013.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 10, 2013 Paper copies must be postmarked and mailed, shipped, or sent overnight no later than July 15, 2013, to be eligible for FY 2013 grant funding. You may also hand carry your application to one of our field offices, but it must be received by close of business on the July 15, 2013, deadline date. Late applications will not be eligible for FY 2013 grant funding. Electronic copies must be received by http://www.grants.gov no later than midnight eastern time July 10, 2013, to be eligible for FY 2013 grant funding.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • The funding agency has allocated a total of $2,855,222.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
  • Cooperatives and Cooperative Development Centers are eligible to apply for the SSDPG Program.
Apply for RDBCP SSDPG 2013

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Opportunity Summary:

The Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant (SSDPG) is a competitive, discretionary grant opportunity designed to expand access to practical, on-the-ground technical assistance for small, socially disadvantaged agricultural producers. Rather than funding producers directly, the program routes support through organizations that specialize in cooperative business development, with the idea that producers benefit most when they can tap into structured guidance, training, and cooperative approaches that strengthen their market position and long-term viability. In this funding round, the program sits in the agriculture funding category (listed as "Other" with clarification that the focus is technical assistance delivered via cooperatives and cooperative development centers), and it is administered by USDA Rural Development's Business and Cooperative Programs.

The core purpose of SSDPG is straightforward: help small, socially disadvantaged producers build skills, capacity, and access to opportunities by providing technical assistance delivered by eligible intermediaries. While the source summary does not list every eligible activity, the framing indicates assistance that typically supports producers with business development, cooperative formation or improvement, operational planning, marketing, financial management, and other capacity-building services that enable producers to participate more effectively in agricultural markets. Grants are awarded competitively, meaning applicants are evaluated against each other based on the program's selection criteria in the full announcement, and only the strongest proposals receive awards.

Eligible applicants for this opportunity are cooperatives and cooperative development centers. The notice explicitly states that these entities are the ones permitted to apply under the SSDPG program, underscoring that the grant is meant to fund organizations that can deliver technical assistance to the intended producer beneficiaries. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement listed for this opportunity, which can reduce barriers for qualified organizations that might otherwise struggle to assemble non-federal matching funds.

For the FY 2013 cycle reflected in the posting, the estimated total funding available was $2,855,222, with an award ceiling of $200,000 per grant. The opportunity anticipated about 20 awards, which suggests a moderately competitive field where proposals likely needed to be well-developed, clearly scoped, and capable of showing credible outcomes for the producers served. The program is associated with CFDA number 10.771 (Rural Cooperative Development Grants), which helps applicants and stakeholders align SSDPG within the broader set of rural cooperative development and technical assistance efforts.

The timeline in the announcement included different deadlines for electronic versus paper submission. Electronic applications submitted through Grants.gov had to be received by midnight Eastern Time on July 10, 2013, while paper applications had to be postmarked (or shipped/sent overnight) no later than July 15, 2013. Hand-delivered paper submissions were also permitted but had to be received by close of business on July 15, 2013. The notice emphasizes that late applications were not eligible for FY 2013 funding, a common requirement in federal competitive grant cycles. The opportunity was posted on June 24, 2013, and later archived on August 14, 2013.

For applicants needing help accessing the full announcement, the listing provided a program contact number, directing questions to the program manager at 202-690-1376. It also referenced an additional information link labeled as the program website, implying there were further program details, forms, and guidance available beyond the summary data.

Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant (SSDPG) - FAQs

What is the Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant (SSDPG)?

The Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant (SSDPG) is a competitive, discretionary grant program intended to expand access to practical, on-the-ground technical assistance for small, socially disadvantaged agricultural producers. The assistance is delivered through organizations that specialize in cooperative business development, so producers can benefit from structured training, guidance, and cooperative approaches.

Who administers the SSDPG program?

The program is administered by USDA Rural Development's Business and Cooperative Programs.

What is the main purpose of SSDPG funding?

The core purpose is to help small, socially disadvantaged agricultural producers build skills, capacity, and access to opportunities through technical assistance delivered by eligible intermediary organizations (cooperatives and cooperative development centers).

Does SSDPG fund producers directly?

No. The opportunity is designed to route support through eligible organizations that deliver technical assistance. Producers benefit indirectly by receiving training, guidance, and cooperative development support from those organizations.

Who is eligible to apply for SSDPG?

Eligible applicants are cooperatives and cooperative development centers. The notice explicitly states these are the entities permitted to apply under SSDPG.

What types of activities does SSDPG support?

While the source summary does not list every eligible activity, it frames SSDPG as funding technical assistance commonly associated with cooperative business development. This typically includes support such as business development, cooperative formation or improvement, operational planning, marketing, financial management, and other capacity-building services that help producers participate more effectively in agricultural markets.

What funding category is this opportunity listed under?

In this funding round, it is listed in the agriculture funding category as "Other," with clarification that the focus is technical assistance delivered via cooperatives and cooperative development centers.

Is SSDPG a competitive grant?

Yes. SSDPG is a competitive program, meaning applications are evaluated against each other based on selection criteria described in the full announcement, and only the strongest proposals receive awards.

Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is listed for this opportunity.

How much funding was available in the FY 2013 cycle mentioned in the posting?

The estimated total funding available was $2,855,222 for the FY 2013 cycle reflected in the posting.

What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling was $200,000 per grant.

How many awards were anticipated?

About 20 awards were anticipated in this funding round.

What does CFDA number 10.771 mean in relation to SSDPG?

The program is associated with CFDA number 10.771 (Rural Cooperative Development Grants), which helps applicants and stakeholders connect SSDPG to broader rural cooperative development and technical assistance efforts.

What were the application deadlines for electronic submissions?

Electronic applications submitted through Grants.gov had to be received by midnight Eastern Time on July 10, 2013.

What were the application deadlines for paper submissions?

Paper applications had to be postmarked (or shipped/sent overnight) no later than July 15, 2013.

Were hand-delivered paper applications allowed?

Yes. Hand-delivered paper submissions were permitted, but they had to be received by close of business on July 15, 2013.

Are late applications accepted?

No. The notice emphasizes that late applications were not eligible for FY 2013 funding.

When was this opportunity posted and when was it archived?

The opportunity was posted on June 24, 2013, and later archived on August 14, 2013.

Where were electronic applications submitted?

Electronic applications were submitted through Grants.gov.

How can applicants get help or ask questions about the program?

The listing provided a program contact number for the program manager: 202-690-1376.

Where can applicants find additional details beyond the summary?

The listing referenced an additional information link labeled as the program website, indicating there were further program details, forms, and guidance available beyond the summary data.

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