Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA OP 009004
The American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that focuses on increasing equitable access to USDA programs and services for underserved agricultural communities. Its central aim is to improve understanding of USDA resources and boost participation among underserved farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners and operators by funding organizations that can deliver hands-on technical assistance and by helping establish broader technical assistance networks. In this program, the term "agricultural producer" is used broadly to include farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners and operators, and funded projects are expected to provide a range of practical support services rather than a single narrow activity.
The program is designed to strengthen the capacity of trusted organizations to guide underserved producers through USDA offerings, which can include navigating eligibility requirements, preparing applications, meeting program compliance expectations, and generally overcoming barriers that have historically limited access. While the notice emphasizes the big-picture goal of equitable participation across the full range of USDA programs and services, the mechanism for reaching that goal is straightforward: USDA funds technical assistance projects and encourages the creation or strengthening of networks that can deliver that assistance consistently and at scale.
Eligibility is limited to domestic nonprofit entities and institutions of higher education. Applicants must be able to document nonprofit status, and the opportunity specifically calls for a letter confirming nonprofit status to be attached within the application package. Only the lead applicant is required to meet these eligibility rules, meaning partners and collaborators on the project do not themselves have to be eligible entities. The program also allows award recipients to use subcontractors that may not be eligible to apply directly, as long as those subcontractors are necessary to carry out the project; however, individuals and non-domestic entities are not allowed in that role. Private, for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply to the opportunity.
There are additional restrictions intended to prevent overlap and ensure fair competition. Organizations already serving as current Cooperators under Section 1006 of the relevant Act cannot apply as the lead applicant for this funding opportunity, though they may participate as collaborators, cooperators, or subcontractors if the work they perform is new and does not duplicate what is already being done. The solicitation also makes clear that applicants must meet every requirement listed in the request for applications by the deadline; failing an eligibility criterion can lead to removal from consideration or prevent an award even if the application is otherwise reviewed.
Administrative rules are also strict about submissions: duplicate or multiple submissions are not allowed. Each eligible organization may submit only one application, and if an organization submits more than one, NIFA will disqualify both. Basic program metadata includes the funding opportunity number USDA NIFA OP 009004, assistance listing (CFDA) number 10.234, an award ceiling of $3,500,000, and an original closing date of July 6, 2022.Apply for USDA NIFA OP 009004
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.234.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-03-09.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2022-07-06. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program?
It is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The program funds technical assistance projects intended to increase equitable access to USDA programs and services for underserved agricultural communities.
What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?
The central aim is to improve understanding of USDA resources and increase participation in USDA programs and services among underserved farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners and operators. The program does this by funding organizations that can provide hands-on technical assistance and by supporting the establishment or strengthening of broader technical assistance networks.
What types of activities are funded under this program?
Funded projects are expected to provide practical, hands-on technical assistance that helps underserved agricultural producers navigate USDA programs and services. The notice indicates projects should provide a range of support services rather than focusing on one narrow activity.
What does "technical assistance" mean in the context of this program?
Technical assistance may include helping producers understand USDA offerings, navigate eligibility requirements, prepare and submit applications, meet program compliance expectations, and address barriers that have historically limited access to USDA programs and services.
Who is considered an "agricultural producer" for this program?
The term is used broadly and includes farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners and operators.
Who can apply as the lead applicant?
Eligibility is limited to domestic nonprofit entities and institutions of higher education (IHEs). The lead applicant must meet the eligibility requirements.
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
No. Private, for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply to this funding opportunity.
Are individuals eligible to apply or serve as subcontractors?
No. Individuals are not allowed in the subcontractor role under this opportunity, and eligibility to apply is limited to domestic nonprofit entities and institutions of higher education.
Are non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities eligible to apply or serve as subcontractors?
No. Eligibility is limited to domestic entities, and non-domestic entities are not allowed to serve as subcontractors under this program.
Do all project partners have to be eligible entities?
No. Only the lead applicant must meet the eligibility rules. Partners and collaborators on the project do not themselves have to be eligible entities.
Can an award recipient use subcontractors that are not eligible to apply directly?
Yes. Award recipients may use subcontractors that may not be eligible to apply directly, as long as those subcontractors are necessary to carry out the project. However, individuals and non-domestic entities are not allowed as subcontractors.
What documentation is required to confirm nonprofit status?
Applicants must be able to document nonprofit status, and the opportunity specifically calls for a letter confirming nonprofit status to be attached within the application package.
Are there restrictions for current Cooperators under Section 1006?
Yes. Organizations already serving as current Cooperators under Section 1006 of the relevant Act cannot apply as the lead applicant for this funding opportunity.
If an organization is a current Section 1006 Cooperator, can it participate in any way?
Yes. A current Section 1006 Cooperator may participate as a collaborator, cooperator, or subcontractor if the work they perform is new and does not duplicate what is already being done.
What happens if an application does not meet all requirements by the deadline?
The solicitation states that applicants must meet every requirement listed in the request for applications (RFA) by the deadline. Failing an eligibility criterion can lead to removal from consideration or prevent an award even if the application is otherwise reviewed.
Can an organization submit more than one application?
No. Duplicate or multiple submissions are not allowed. Each eligible organization may submit only one application.
What happens if an organization submits more than one application?
NIFA will disqualify both applications if an organization submits more than one.
What is the funding opportunity number for this program?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA OP 009004.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 10.234.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $3,500,000.
What was the original closing date for the opportunity?
The original closing date was July 6, 2022.
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| Supplemental and Alternative Crops Apply for USDA NIFA OP 009141 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 009141 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $250,000 |
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