Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA FASLP 007292
The Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FASLP) is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). Its core purpose is to help children learn more about agriculture while also supporting better nutritional health, especially through practical, hands-on education that connects food, gardens, and nutrition to real daily experiences in schools and community settings. A major theme of the program is building stronger links across different parts of the food system, bringing together people and organizations that do not always work side by side (for example, farms, school systems, educators, and food service staff). The idea is to strengthen an organization's ability to provide meaningful food and nutrition learning in places like school cafeterias and classrooms, while increasing community engagement between local farms and schools. In the bigger picture, FASLP aligns with broader national efforts to improve school meals for low-income children, not just by expanding access, but by significantly improving the quality of the meals and the education that supports healthy eating habits.
This opportunity is listed as "Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FASLP)" with Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA FASLP 007292, and it falls under the Agriculture funding activity category (CFDA 10.522). The funding instrument is a grant, and the award ceiling shown for this notice is $225,000. The original application closing date for the opportunity was June 4, 2020, and the notice was created on March 30, 2020. While the listing indicates "ExpectedAwards:" without a number provided, applicants typically should not assume a guaranteed number of awards and should instead focus on presenting a strong project design and clearly stated outcomes aligned with the program goals.
Eligibility to apply is limited to specific types of applicants. Those eligible include state agricultural experiment stations, colleges and universities, university research foundations, other research institutions and organizations, Federal agencies, national laboratories, private organizations (including foundations or corporations), individuals, and groups made up of two or more eligible entities. A key detail is that these eligibility requirements apply only to the main applicant. Partners and collaborators on the project do not have to meet the same eligibility criteria, which gives applicants flexibility to build practical coalitions that include schools, farms, community groups, food service departments, and other local stakeholders that may not independently qualify as eligible applicants. At the same time, NIFA emphasizes that failing to meet eligibility requirements by the application deadline can lead to being excluded from consideration or can prevent NIFA from making an award even if the project is otherwise strong, so confirming applicant eligibility early is important.
The program also includes an important rule on submissions: duplicate or multiple submissions are not allowed. If the same applicant submits more than one application or submits duplicate versions, NIFA will disqualify both applications. For organizations or individuals that are new to federal financial assistance, NIFA points applicants to its Grants Overview materials as a recommended resource for understanding the federal grants process, expectations, and general compliance requirements. Overall, FASLP is geared toward projects that expand the reach and quality of food, garden, and nutrition education, strengthen the capacity of host organizations to deliver that education effectively, and create deeper, more sustained connections between farms and school communities in service of better child nutrition and food system engagement.Apply for USDA NIFA FASLP 007292
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FASLP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.522.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-03-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-06-04. (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 $225,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FASLP) FAQs
What is the Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FASLP)?
FASLP is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). It supports projects that help children learn about agriculture while also promoting better nutritional health through practical, hands-on learning tied to real experiences in schools and community settings.
What is the core purpose of this grant program?
The program is designed to strengthen food, garden, and nutrition education for children, with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning. It also aims to improve organizations' ability to deliver meaningful education in places like school cafeterias and classrooms, while building stronger connections between local farms and school communities.
What kinds of activities does FASLP emphasize?
Based on the program description, FASLP emphasizes experiential, service-learning style approaches that connect food, gardens, nutrition, and agriculture to daily life. It also highlights education and engagement that can occur across school environments (including cafeterias and classrooms) and community settings.
What is a major theme or focus area within FASLP?
A major theme is building stronger links across different parts of the food system. The program specifically encourages bringing together groups that do not always work side by side, such as farms, school systems, educators, and food service staff.
How does the program connect farms and schools?
One of the stated goals is to increase community engagement between local farms and schools, supporting deeper and more sustained connections that reinforce food and nutrition learning and strengthen local food system ties.
How does FASLP relate to school meals and child nutrition?
In the broader context described, FASLP aligns with national efforts to improve school meals for low-income children. The emphasis is not only on access, but on meaningfully improving meal quality and reinforcing healthy eating habits through education.
What agency runs this opportunity?
The opportunity is run by USDA NIFA (the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture).
What is the official funding opportunity name and number?
The listing is titled "Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FASLP)" and the Funding Opportunity Number is USDA NIFA FASLP 007292.
What is the CFDA number and funding activity category?
The program falls under CFDA 10.522 and is listed under the Agriculture funding activity category.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument for this opportunity is a grant.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) shown in the notice?
The award ceiling shown for this notice is $225,000.
When was the notice created and when did the application close?
The notice was created on March 30, 2020, and the original application closing date was June 4, 2020.
Does the opportunity listing guarantee a certain number of awards?
No. The listing indicates "ExpectedAwards:" but does not provide a number. Applicants should not assume a guaranteed number of awards and should focus on a strong project design and clear outcomes aligned with the program goals.
Who is eligible to apply as the main applicant?
Eligibility is limited to specific applicant types, including: state agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; Federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations (including foundations or corporations); individuals; and groups made up of two or more eligible entities.
Do partners and collaborators have to meet the same eligibility requirements as the main applicant?
No. The eligibility requirements apply only to the main applicant. Partners and collaborators do not have to meet the same eligibility criteria, which allows applicants to build coalitions that may include schools, farms, community groups, food service departments, and other local stakeholders.
Why is it important to confirm eligibility early?
NIFA emphasizes that failing to meet eligibility requirements by the application deadline can result in exclusion from consideration or prevent NIFA from making an award, even if the project is otherwise strong. Confirming eligibility early helps avoid disqualification on administrative grounds.
Can an applicant submit more than one application?
No. Duplicate or multiple submissions are not allowed. If the same applicant submits more than one application or submits duplicate versions, NIFA will disqualify both applications.
What should new applicants to federal grants review before applying?
For organizations or individuals that are new to federal financial assistance, NIFA points applicants to its Grants Overview materials as a recommended resource to understand the federal grants process, expectations, and general compliance requirements.
What kinds of outcomes should an application highlight based on the program description?
Applicants typically should describe outcomes that align with the program goals, such as expanding the reach and quality of food, garden, and nutrition education; strengthening the capacity of host organizations to deliver that education effectively; and improving linkages and engagement between farms and school communities.
Where are FASLP-supported learning activities expected to take place?
The description highlights schools and community settings, and it specifically mentions learning environments such as school cafeterias and classrooms.
Is this a competitive (discretionary) program?
Yes. The program is described as a discretionary grant opportunity, meaning awards are competitively made rather than automatically issued.
Can a coalition apply?
Yes. Eligibility includes groups made up of two or more eligible entities, and the program also encourages collaboration across different parts of the food system.
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| Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program (NLGCA) Apply for USDA NIFA NLGCA 007392 Funding Number: USDA NIFA NLGCA 007392 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
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| Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Competitive Grants Program (FBMB) Apply for USDA NIFA FBMB 007472 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FBMB 007472 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Equipment Grant Program (EGP) Apply for USDA NIFA OP 007473 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 007473 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA OP 007512 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 007512 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 007333 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HEMS 007333 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative Apply for USDA NIFA OP 007632 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 007632 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program 2020 Cooperative/Interagency Agreements Apply for USDA APHIS 10025 VSSP0000 20 0001 Funding Number: USDA APHIS 10025 VSSP0000 20 0001 Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY21 Small Business Innovation Research Phase I Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 007712 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SBIR 007712 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $106,500 |
| Distance Education Grants Program for Institutions of Higher Education in Insular Areas (DEG) Apply for USDA NIFA RIGP 007853 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RIGP 007853 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Farm Business Management and Benchmarking Apply for USDA NIFA FBMB 007854 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FBMB 007854 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS) Apply for USDA NIFA WAMS 007852 Funding Number: USDA NIFA WAMS 007852 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Assistive Technology Program Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 007772 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 007772 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $531,000 |
| Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA TCRGP 007812 Funding Number: USDA NIFA TCRGP 007812 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Secondary Education, Two-Year Postsecondary Education, and Agriculture in the K-12 Classroom Challenge Grants Program (SPECA) Apply for USDA NIFA SAECP 007855 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SAECP 007855 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Higher Education Challenge (HEC) Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA CGP 007858 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CGP 007858 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Rural Health and Safety Education Competitive Grants Program (RHSE) Apply for USDA NIFA RHSE 007857 Funding Number: USDA NIFA RHSE 007857 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA HSI 007752 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HSI 007752 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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