Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 010337
The Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). It is designed to support applied, science-based Cooperative Extension work that helps the public prepare for, respond to, and recover from local or regional emergencies and disasters. The underlying idea is that Cooperative Extension has an established presence in communities and is often seen as a trusted source of practical, research-backed guidance when major disruptive events occur.
Projects funded under this opportunity are expected to strengthen Extension's ability to serve families, communities, and businesses across the full disaster timeline: before an event (readiness and risk reduction), during an event (timely and credible information sharing and support), and after an event (recovery, rebuilding, and reducing future losses). The program highlights four core types of Extension disaster outreach that proposals should align with: communicating practical, science-based risk information; developing relevant educational programs and learning experiences tailored to the situation; working directly with individuals and communities to create or improve communication channels; and mitigating losses while helping communities move toward recovery. In practice, this can include outreach and education on hazard preparedness, continuity planning for farms and small businesses, mental health and family resilience resources delivered through Extension networks, and post-disaster technical guidance that supports safe cleanup, agricultural recovery, and community stabilization.
Eligibility is limited to 1862 Land-grant Institutions. Applications may be submitted only by these institutions located in the 50 states and specified U.S. territories and affiliated jurisdictions, including American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. While only 1862 Land-grants can apply as the primary applicant, the program explicitly allows collaboration. Eligible lead institutions may partner with other 1862 institutions, other land-grant institutions such as 1890 and 1994 institutions, non-land-grant colleges and universities, and non-governmental organizations at the state or regional level as part of a joint proposal. Awardees may also subcontract to organizations that are not eligible to apply directly, as long as those partners are needed to carry out the work, which allows Extension teams to bring in specialized expertise or community-based capacity when it strengthens project delivery.
From a funding standpoint, this opportunity is offered as a grant under CFDA 10.511 and is categorized under Agriculture as the funding activity area. The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA SLBCD 010337. The posted award ceiling is $115,000, and NIFA anticipated making about five awards. The opportunity was created on December 7, 2023, with an original application closing date of March 7, 2024.Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 010337
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.511.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-12-07.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-07. (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 $115,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 5 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants (USDA NIFA) - FAQs
1) What is the Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants program?
It is a discretionary competitive grant program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). The program supports applied, science-based Cooperative Extension work focused on helping the public prepare for, respond to, and recover from local or regional emergencies and disasters.
2) What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The program is intended to strengthen Cooperative Extension's disaster-related outreach and education across the full disaster timeline. The emphasis is on practical, research-backed guidance that communities can use before, during, and after disruptive events.
3) What kinds of situations does the program consider emergencies or disasters?
Based on the description provided, the focus is on local or regional emergencies and disasters that disrupt communities and require readiness, response, and recovery support. The specific types of hazards are not enumerated in the opportunity summary provided.
4) Why is Cooperative Extension a key focus of this funding?
The program is built on the idea that Cooperative Extension has an established presence in communities and is often viewed as a trusted source of practical, science-based information when major disruptive events occur.
5) What phases of disaster work are supported under this program?
Projects are expected to strengthen Extension's ability to serve across all phases:
- Before an event: readiness and risk reduction
- During an event: timely, credible information sharing and support
- After an event: recovery, rebuilding, and reducing future losses
6) What types of Extension disaster outreach should proposals align with?
The program highlights four core types of Extension disaster outreach that proposals should align with:
- Communicating practical, science-based risk information
- Developing relevant educational programs and learning experiences tailored to the situation
- Working directly with individuals and communities to create or improve communication channels
- Mitigating losses while helping communities move toward recovery
7) What are examples of activities that could be supported?
Examples described in the opportunity summary include:
- Outreach and education on hazard preparedness
- Continuity planning for farms and small businesses
- Mental health and family resilience resources delivered through Extension networks
- Post-disaster technical guidance supporting safe cleanup, agricultural recovery, and community stabilization
8) Who is eligible to apply as the primary applicant?
Eligibility is limited to 1862 Land-grant Institutions. Applications may be submitted only by eligible 1862 institutions located in the 50 states and specified U.S. territories and affiliated jurisdictions.
9) Which states and territories are included for applicant eligibility?
Eligible lead applicants must be 1862 Land-grant Institutions located in the 50 states and in the following specified U.S. territories and affiliated jurisdictions: American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
10) Can an organization that is not an 1862 Land-grant Institution apply directly?
Not as the primary applicant, based on the eligibility statement provided. However, the program explicitly allows collaboration with other institutions and organizations through partnerships or subcontracts when they are needed to carry out the work.
11) Are partnerships allowed, and if so, with whom?
Yes. Eligible 1862 lead institutions may partner with other 1862 institutions, other land-grant institutions (such as 1890 and 1994 institutions), non-land-grant colleges and universities, and non-governmental organizations at the state or regional level as part of a joint proposal.
12) Can awardees subcontract portions of the work?
Yes. Awardees may subcontract to organizations that are not eligible to apply directly, as long as those partners are needed to carry out the work and strengthen project delivery (for example, by providing specialized expertise or community-based capacity).
13) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered under CFDA 10.511.
14) What is the funding activity area?
The funding activity area is categorized under Agriculture.
15) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA SLBCD 010337.
16) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The posted award ceiling is $115,000.
17) How many awards did NIFA anticipate making?
NIFA anticipated making about five awards.
18) When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on December 7, 2023.
19) What was the original application deadline?
The original application closing date was March 7, 2024.
20) Does the program focus on research or applied work?
The program is designed to support applied, science-based Cooperative Extension work. The emphasis is on practical education, communication, and community support tied to disaster readiness, response, and recovery.
21) Who is intended to benefit from funded projects?
Funded projects are expected to strengthen Extension's ability to serve families, communities, and businesses, including support for farms and small businesses as described in the example activities.
22) What kinds of outcomes are projects generally expected to support?
Based on the description provided, projects should enhance Extension capacity to reduce risk before disasters, provide credible information and support during events, and help communities recover, rebuild, and reduce future losses after disasters.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture
Next opportunity: Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants (2024)
Previous opportunity: DE-FOA-0003155 Critical Materials Accelerator
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 NIFA SLBCD 010337
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA SLBCD 010337) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Secondary Education Two-Year Postsecondary Education and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA SAECP 010339 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SAECP 010339 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Resident Instruction Grants for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas Agriculture and Food Science Facilities and Equipment Program for Insular Areas Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 010335 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 010335 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Children, Youth and Families At-Risk Sustainable Community Projects Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 010312 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 010312 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $160,000 |
| Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA FBMB 010313 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FBMB 010313 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program Apply for USDA NIFA WAMS 010338 Funding Number: USDA NIFA WAMS 010338 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Lake Malawi Fisheries Conservation Project Apply for RFI 612 24 SEG 01 Funding Number: RFI 612 24 SEG 01 Agency: Malawi USAID-Lilongwe Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $17,000,000 |
| FY2024 Faculty Exchange Program – Southeast Asia Veterinary Sciences Apply for USDA FAS 10613 0700 10 24 0001 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10613 0700 10 24 0001 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| FY 2024 Strengthening Bangladesh’s Trade Facilitative Phytosanitary Regulatory Systems Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 24 0003 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 24 0003 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| FY2024 Scientific Cooperation Research Program Apply for USDA FAS 10961 0700 10 24 0001 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10961 0700 10 24 0001 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Veterinary Services Grant Program Apply for USDA NIFA VSGP 010340 Funding Number: USDA NIFA VSGP 010340 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 010353 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 010353 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Higher Education Challenge Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 010433 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CGP 010433 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA RHSE 010553 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RHSE 010553 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Equipment Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA OP 010493 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 010493 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Value-Added Producer Grant Apply for RDBCP VAPG 2024 Funding Number: RDBCP VAPG 2024 Agency: Rural Business-Cooperative Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative Apply for USDA NIFA OP 010573 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 010573 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
| Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Apply for USDA NIFA BFR 010413 Funding Number: USDA NIFA BFR 010413 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems Apply for USDA NIFA OP 010554 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 010554 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Farm Bill 2024 Apply for USDA AMS TM SCBGP G 24 0003 Funding Number: USDA AMS TM SCBGP G 24 0003 Agency: Agricultural Marketing Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| 2024 USDA/FAS Borlaug Fellowship Program World Food Prize Event Apply for USDA FAS 10777 0700 10 24 0001 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10777 0700 10 24 0001 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $75,000 |
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
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
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.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA NIFA SLBCD 010337", 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.