Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004528
Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 004528
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Smith Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants 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 May 2, 2014 and posted on May 2, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 2, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $462,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $120,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Applications may be submitted with the approval of Extension Directors of 1862 Land grant Institutions in the 50 states, American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Smith Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program (Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA SLBCD 004528) is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.500, the Cooperative Extension Service program. The opportunity is designed to strengthen how the Cooperative Extension System helps states and U.S. territories prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and other critical incidents. It is grounded in Extension's role as a trusted local partner that can quickly translate research into practical guidance, deliver community education, and support recovery efforts in agriculture, families, and local economies.
The core purpose of this funding is to support "Special Needs" projects that implement applied, science-based programs addressing public needs before, during, and after local or regional emergency situations. The announcement highlights common Extension functions following a disaster: communicating practical, science-based risk information; creating and delivering relevant educational experiences and programs; working directly with individuals and communities to open or strengthen communication channels; and helping mitigate losses while facilitating recovery. In practice, this typically means projects that improve readiness and resilience, provide decision-making tools and outreach during emergencies, and help communities rebuild using evidence-based approaches.
Eligible applicants are tied to the 1862 Land-Grant University system. Applications may be submitted with the approval of Extension Directors at 1862 Land-Grant Institutions in the 50 states and specified territories and affiliated areas, including American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, the Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The eligibility language indicates that while the category is listed broadly as "Others" in the source record, the controlling requirement is Extension Director approval from an eligible 1862 institution within these jurisdictions, which effectively frames who can apply and how proposals must be authorized.
Awards are made as grants, with an estimated total funding pool of $462,000. Individual awards were expected to range from a $30,000 floor to a $120,000 ceiling. The program also includes a cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants must plan to contribute non-federal resources in accordance with the program rules and the full announcement details.
The opportunity was posted on May 2, 2014, with an original and current closing date of June 2, 2014, and an archive date of July 2, 2014, indicating this specific announcement is historical and no longer open. For applicants needing access help or support, the announcement provides the NIFA Help Desk as the point of contact (202-401-5048) during weekday business hours (7:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays), along with an "Additional Information" link for the full program announcement and instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Smith Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program?
The Smith Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program is a discretionary, competitive grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). It is associated with CFDA 10.500 (the Cooperative Extension Service program) and is focused on strengthening how the Cooperative Extension System supports disaster and critical incident preparedness, response, and recovery.
What is the funding opportunity number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA SLBCD 004528.
Who runs this grant competition?
The competition is run by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The main purpose is to support "Special Needs" projects that implement applied, science-based programs addressing public needs before, during, and after local or regional emergency situations, including disasters and other critical incidents. The intent is to strengthen Extension's ability to deliver trusted, practical information and education and to support recovery in agriculture, families, and local economies.
What types of situations does the program focus on?
The program focuses on local or regional emergency situations, including disasters and other critical incidents, with an emphasis on preparedness, response, and recovery.
What kinds of activities or functions does Extension typically carry out after a disaster (as described in the announcement)?
The announcement highlights Extension functions such as communicating practical, science-based risk information; creating and delivering relevant educational experiences and programs; working directly with individuals and communities to open or strengthen communication channels; and helping mitigate losses while facilitating recovery.
What does "Special Needs" mean in this context?
In this program, "Special Needs" refers to projects that implement applied, science-based programs designed to meet public needs tied to emergency situations. The emphasis is on practical, evidence-based programming that can be used before, during, and after an incident.
What are examples of project goals that fit this program (based on the description)?
Based on the description, projects may aim to improve readiness and resilience, provide decision-making tools and outreach during emergencies, and support evidence-based recovery and rebuilding efforts. The common thread is applied, science-based Extension programming tied to emergencies.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are tied to the 1862 Land-Grant University system. Applications may be submitted with the approval of Extension Directors at 1862 Land-Grant Institutions in the 50 states and specified territories and affiliated areas.
Which territories and affiliated areas are specifically included?
The included territories and affiliated areas listed are American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, the Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Is Extension Director approval required?
Yes. The eligibility language indicates the controlling requirement is approval from an Extension Director at an eligible 1862 Land-Grant Institution within the specified jurisdictions.
How are awards made under this opportunity?
Awards are made as grants.
How much total funding was expected to be available?
The estimated total funding pool was $462,000.
What was the expected award size range?
Individual awards were expected to range from $30,000 (floor) to $120,000 (ceiling).
Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?
Yes. The program includes a cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were expected to contribute non-federal resources in accordance with program rules and the full announcement details.
When was this funding opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on May 2, 2014.
What was the application deadline for this announcement?
The original and current closing date listed for this announcement was June 2, 2014.
Is this funding opportunity still open?
No. The archive date is listed as July 2, 2014, and the closing date was June 2, 2014, indicating this specific announcement is historical and no longer open.
Where can applicants find full instructions and detailed requirements?
The announcement references an "Additional Information" link for the full program announcement and instructions.
Who can be contacted for technical help or access support?
The NIFA Help Desk is provided as the point of contact for access help or support.
What is the NIFA Help Desk phone number?
The phone number provided is 202-401-5048.
What are the NIFA Help Desk hours?
The hours listed are weekdays from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
What is the programmatic context or framework for this opportunity?
The program is grounded in Extension's role as a trusted local partner that can translate research into practical guidance, deliver community education, and support preparedness and recovery efforts that affect agriculture, families, and local economies.
What federal program listing is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.500, the Cooperative Extension Service program.
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