Notice of Funding Opportunity Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network

FUNDING YEAR: Fiscal Year (FY) 2026

APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 10, 2026

ANTICIPATED PROGRAM FUNDING: $9,583,300

AVERAGE INDIVIDUAL AWARD

RANGE:

$1,000,000 - $2,145,845

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: USDA-NIFA-OP-012079

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 10.525

ANNOUNCEMENT

National Institute of Food and Agriculture United States Department of Agriculture

Assistance Listing Number (ALN): The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) is listed in the Assistance Listings under number 10.525.

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines

Task Description Deadline

Application: 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time, August 10, 2026 [Ref to Part I, C of this NOFO]

Applicants Comments: Within six months from the issuance of this notice (NIFA may not consider comments received after the sixth month)

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), to the extent permitted by law, will no longer make grants or otherwise fund programs or activities that improperly discriminate on the basis of race or sex, including discrimination in the name of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies. Instead, USDA will prioritize merit and efficiency. USDA recognizes programs and initiatives will have the greatest impact when these programs and initiatives put American farmers, ranchers, and foresters first by:

• solving the most pressing challenges they face;

• protecting America’s food, fuel, and fiber supply to enhance national security;

• supporting production of healthy and safe food for consumers;

• expanding and developing domestic markets;

• training the next generation of agriculturalists; and

• fueling innovation to keep American farmers at the forefront of productivity.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is committed to advancing these principles and encourages applicants to actively engage farmers, ranchers, and foresters when applying for funding opportunities to ensure relevancy and adherence to them. NIFA also encourages agricultural leaders to engage in the peer review panel process to ensure American producers are better served through research, education, and extension activities.

Projects submitted under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) should align with USDA Secretary’s Memorandum 1078-020 Directive on Departmental Research and Development Priorities:

1. Increasing Profitability of Farmers and Ranchers

2. Expanding Markets and Creating New Uses of U.S. Agricultural Products

3. Protecting the Integrity of American Agriculture from Invasive Species

4. Promoting Soil Health to Regenerate Long-Term Productivity of Land

5. Improving Human Health through Precision Nutrition and Food Quality https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sm-1078-020.pdf https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sm-1078-020.pdf

Stakeholder Input. NIFA seeks comments on all NOFOs so it can deliver programs efficiently, effectively, with integrity, and with a focus on customer service. NIFA considers comments to the extent possible when developing NOFOs and uses comments to help meet the requirements of Section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7613(c)(2)). Applicants may submit written comments to Policy@usda.gov. Please use the following subject line: Response to the FRSAN NOFO.

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:7613%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section7613)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true mailto:Policy@usda.gov

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

NIFA requests applications for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) Competitive Grants Program for FY 2026 to provide competitive grants to State Departments of Agriculture (SDA), State Cooperative Extension Service (CES), and nonprofit organizations to carry out programs to assist in addressing stress and behavioral and mental health challenges, including suicide risk, among farmers. The term “farmer” will be used in the broadest sense and may be interpreted to include agricultural farmers, ranchers, fishers, workers, business owners, and non-industrial private forest owners and managers. Similarly, the term “farming” will be used.

The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2026 is approximately $9,583,300. Awards will be administered at as 4-year continuation awards.

This notice identifies the objectives for FRSAN projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF KEY INFORMATION

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority B. Purpose and Priorities C. Program Area Description

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding B. Application Restrictions C. Project and Grant Types D. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements B. Cost Sharing or Matching

PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application B. Content and Form of the Application C. Funding Restrictions

PART V. APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. NIFA’s Evaluation Process B. Evaluation Criteria C. Organizational Management Information D. Application Disposition

PART VI. AWARD ADMINISTRATION

A. General B. Administrative and National Policy Requirements C. Expected Program Outputs and Reporting Requirements

PART VII. OTHER INFORMATION

A. Use of Funds and Changes in Budget B. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards C. Regulatory Information D. Language Access Services

APPENDIX I: AGENCY CONTACT

APPENDIX II: GLOSSARY OF TERMS

APPENDIX III: DEFINITIONS

TABLE OF KEY INFORMATION

Table 1: Key Dates and Deadlines Table 2: Regional Centers Key Information Table 3: National Farmer Distress Helpline Key Information Table 4: Steps to Obtain Application Materials Table 5: Help and Resources Table 6: Key Application Instructions

PART I. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority Section 7522 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 authorizes NIFA to make competitive grants to eligible entities to establish a network that provides stress assistance programs to individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations (7 U.S.C. 5936).

B. Purpose and Priorities The FRSAN program, under assistance listing number 10.525, is to establish a network that connects individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations to stress assistance programs.

According to the CDC/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), agricultural work is one of the most hazardous professions, with risk of injury, disability, and death higher than most other career paths. Daily decision making in the context of long-term planning to ensure crop and livestock yields and profits can prove extremely difficult. Even the most proactive planning can be short circuited by factors beyond an individual’s control, such as natural disasters or pest infestations.

Programs that offer access to resources (e.g., information and skills) and people (e.g., Cooperative Extension educators, health care providers and peer-to-peer farmer support) can help identify underlying causes of farm/ranch risk factors and work with farmers and ranchers to share the resources available, help farmers develop mechanisms to adapt to the unique stressors and behavioral and mental health challenges they face, and to know resources available when they seek assistance.

NIFA is seeking applications from regional partnerships and collaborations that are led by or include CES, SDA, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations with expertise in providing professional agricultural behavioral health awareness, counseling as appropriate, education, training, and referral for other forms of assistance as necessary to address stress and behavioral and mental health challenges, including suicide risk, among farmers.

The term “farmer” is used in the broadest sense and may be interpreted to include agricultural farmers, ranchers, fishers, workers, business owners, and non-industrial private forest owners and managers. Similarly, the term “farming” will be used.

Applicant organizations must have demonstrable prior experience working in the agricultural stress assistance space. For purposes of implementing FRSAN, a network is an organizational arrangement among three or more separately operated domestic public or private entities, including the applicant organization, with established working histories in the targeted region.

NIFA is also seeking applications from qualified entities to administer the National Farmer Distress Helpline. The purpose of the National Farm Distress Helpline is to provide immediate, confidential and competent crisis support to individuals engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations and their families across the United States. The helpline will serve as a critical entry point to the behavioral health crisis care continuum, ensuring timely access to skilled crisis counselors and linkage to local, regional, and national resources, in https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:7%20section:5936%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title7-section5936)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/agriculture/about/index.html https://www.bls.gov/charts/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries/number-and-rate-of-fatal-work-injuries-by-occupation.htm alignment with the 2025 National Guidelines for a Behavioral Health Coordinated System of Crisis Care prepared for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

(SAMHSA).

C. Program Area Description NIFA is soliciting applications under the following program areas:

1. Regional Center

2. National Farmer Distress Helpline

Regional Centers FRSAN Regional Centers will implement education, training and services through a robust network of partners to assist farmers during times of stress. This network should serve as a conduit for improving behavioral health awareness, literacy, and positive mental health outcomes among agricultural producers, farm workers and their families. Centers must prioritize connecting these individuals with resources, support, and training at the state and local levels.

Centers must also prioritize local, community-based organizations that provide community connections and engagement to build peer-to-peer support groups that can assist individuals in successfully navigating challenges while building sustainable farming and ranching enterprises.

Table 2: Regional Centers Key Information

Title Description Program Code: FRSAN

Program Code Name: Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network

ALN: 10.525

Project Type: Extension Projects Grant Type: Standard Grants

Application Deadline August 10, 2026 Grant Duration: 48 Months

Anticipated # of Awards: 4 Maximum Award Amount: $8,583,300

The FRSAN Program will fund four (4) Regional Centers nationwide:

1. Northeast Region FRSAN Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, District of Columbia

2. North Central Region FRSAN Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin

3. Southern Region FRSAN Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands

4. Western Region FRSAN Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/national-behavioral-health-crisis-care https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/national-behavioral-health-crisis-care

To achieve this, Regional Centers should:

• Develop strategic partnerships and collaborations with programs that can assist Centers in providing professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral, and community-based, direct-service organizations.

• Conduct outreach and provide training, including evidence-based prevention and intervention programs.

• Deliver accurate, evidence-based information to agricultural communities.

• Make referrals when appropriate.

• Facilitate community-based support groups, including peer-to-peer support programs.

• Maintain a regional website to disseminate information and materials.

Note: Regional Center funds cannot be used to support regional crisis lines or helplines. The FRSAN program will support a single National Farmer Crisis Line.

FRSAN Regional Centers must have the capacity to make State-level sub-awards, to include monitoring the performance of specific projects and active participation within the larger regional network. The applicant must articulate a plan and timeline for delivering training and direct services to every State and territory in the targeted region.

Since all proposed regional partnerships (networks) must be initially composed of three or more member institutions/entities, applicants must provide signed commitment letters from at least three key collaborators. Letters must delineate the expertise, roles, responsibilities, and commitments, including service area and/or role of each network member. A member may participate in more than one regional network but may only serve as lead entity in a single region. In addition, members participating in more than one regional network must demonstrate the capacity to meet the responsibilities associated with multiple region commitments.

Funds may be used to map resources in each region, provide a framework for how those resources can be/are connected, and train individuals and entities working with agricultural producers (train-the-trainer model) to identify farmers under stress; about the existence of a given regional network; on the availability of specific resources and how to access them; on appropriate interventions and how and when to provide support; and how to make referrals to programs and personnel that are further equipped to provide direct behavioral care assistance.

Such maps must link with USDA programs such as Agriculture Mediation Program and Crop Insurance Mediation and State and County-level USDA field offices with which producers may engage if and when appropriate.

Project Directors (PD) of the FRSAN Regional Centers will be responsible for participating in the FRSAN National Coordination Council (NCC). The NCC includes Regional Center and Helpline PDs, their core project staff, and the NIFA national program leaders. The NCC will meet quarterly to discuss the activities of the program, progress, outreach, and other relevant and time-sensitive opportunities that arise. Quarterly meetings will be hosted by the FRSAN Regional Centers on a rotating basis to set the agenda, organize meeting invitations, and record notes.

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/certified-mediation-program/index https://www.rma.usda.gov/about-rma/laws-regulations/mediation https://www.rma.usda.gov/about-rma/laws-regulations/mediation

National Farmer Distress Helpline The entity awarded the National Farmer Distress Helpline will operate a 24/7/365 crisis line dedicated to addressing the unique stressors and behavioral health needs of agricultural communities, including suicide prevention, mental health crises, substance use, and emotional distress.

Table 3: National Farmer Distress Helpline Key Information

Title Description Program Code: FRS-C

Program Code Name: FRSAN Crisis Line

ALN: 10.525

Project Type: Extension Projects Grant Type: Standard Grants

Application Deadline August 10, 2026 Grant Duration: 48 Months

Anticipated # of Awards: 1 Maximum Award Amount: $4,000,000

The awarded entity will be responsible for the following:

1. Operations and Access

• Operate a national, toll-free, 24/7/365 distress helpline (phone and text modalities) specifically for the agricultural community.

• Ensure rapid response rates (targeting 90% or higher) for both modalities, with minimal wait times and high service availability.

• Provide language interpretation services and pathways to serve individuals with disabilities (e.g., TTY, text, chat).

• Maintain interoperability with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and other crisis lines, ensuring seamless warm transfers and referrals.

2. Clinical Standards and Crisis Response

• Employ and train crisis counselors in evidence-based and trauma-informed crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, safety planning, and de-escalation techniques.

• Maintain protocols for risk assessment, follow-up, and referral to local behavioral health, substance use, and social service resources, including warm hand-offs to other appropriate providers.

• Ensure connection and follow-up throughout local behavioral health crisis continuum services, leveraging local knowledge for faster connection to emergency response partners.

• Ensure all staff are trained in the unique stressors and cultural context of agricultural communities, including rural isolation, financial stress, and family dynamics.

• Provide additional staff training on workforce wellness, third-party conversations, best practices for data collection, support for caregivers and families of suicide attempt survivors, follow-up, and reduction of 911 intervention.

3. Data and Reporting

• Collect, manage, and report data on call volume, response times, outcomes, demographics, and service utilization, in accordance with federal privacy and data security standards.

• Track operational metrics including average talk time, abandonment rates/time to abandon, warm transfers, and response rates by state.

• Collaborate with USDA/NIFA and FRSAN regional centers to share aggregate data, identify trends, and inform outreach and prevention strategies.

4. Outreach, Communications, and Coordination

• Develop and implement outreach strategies to raise awareness of the distress helpline among agricultural producers, workers, families, and stakeholders.

• Coordinate with FRSAN regional centers, Cooperative Extension, state departments of agriculture, tribal organizations, local and regional health professionals and other partners to ensure seamless referrals and follow-up.

• Participate in joint outreach and public awareness campaigns with the 988 Lifeline and other partners.

5. Evaluation and Federal Collaboration

• Participate in federal evaluation and technical assistance activities as required by

USDA/NIFA.

• Respond promptly to federal requests for information.

• Commit to continuous quality improvement, data-driven decision-making, and participation in federal evaluation activities.

Qualifications of National Farmer Distress Helpline Awardee Eligible applicants must demonstrate the following:

1. Organizational Capacity

• Documented experience operating a national or large-scale behavioral health helpline or similar service.

• Demonstrated capacity to provide 24/7/365 distress response services nationwide, including infrastructure, staffing and technology.

• Experience serving rural and agricultural populations, with established partnerships or collaborations in the agricultural sector.

2. Staffing and Expertise

• Leadership and staff with expertise in behavioral health distress intervention and rural/agricultural mental health.

• Capacity to recruit, train, and supervise a workforce of crisis counselors, including those with lived experience in agriculture.

Ability to provide ongoing training in evidence-based practices and the unique needs of agricultural communities.

3. Technology and Data Management

• Proven ability to implement and maintain secure, scalable technology platforms for helpline operations, data collection, and reporting.

• Cybersecurity protocols for incident reporting, risk mitigation, and SOPs for technical outages/service disruptions.

• Connections to backup or redundant systems, learning management, data exchanges, and resource management.

4. Collaboration and Coordination

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate with federal, state, tribal, and local partners, including FRSAN regional centers, Cooperative Extension, and other help/crisis lines.

• Experience in outreach, communications, and public awareness campaigns targeting rural and agricultural audiences.

• Coordination with local behavioral health crisis continuum service providers and use of SAMHSA’s Treatment Locator.

5. Evaluation and Quality Improvement

• Commitment to continuous quality improvement, data-driven decision-making, and participation in federal evaluation activities.

• Ability to collect, analyze, and report on key performance indicators and outcomes, including technical connections, operational response, and quality of service.

988 Suicide & Crisis Line Coordination Requirements The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the National Farmer Distress Helpline will collaborate to strengthen crisis support for agricultural communities across the United States. Both organizations commit to coordinated efforts that ensure individuals in crisis, including those in farming, ranching, and rural industries, have timely access to specialized emotional support, crisis intervention, and connection to local resources.

1. Warm Transfers and Call Coordination SAMHSA will work through their 988 Network Administrator to ensure protocols are in place to effectively and appropriately connect help-seekers between the two systems.

When a National Farmer Distress Helpline help-seeker presents with an acute mental health or suicide related concern requiring specialized crisis intervention, and not specific to agricultural or farm-related stressors, the Distress Helpline may offer a warm transfer to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline when appropriate and with caller consent. Similarly, when a 988 help-seeker presents concerns specific to agricultural stress, related financial strain, or farm related pressures, 988 Crisis Contact Centers may offer a warm transfer to the National Farmer Distress Helpline when appropriate and with caller consent.

2. Shared Training and CrossEducation Both organizations may share training materials, best practices, and subject matter expertise. This includes helping 988 crisis counselors understand unique stressors faced by agricultural communities and helping farmer support line staff understand suicide risk assessment and crisis deescalation protocols.

3. Data Sharing (Non-Identifiable) When permitted and in compliance with all privacy regulations, partners may share aggregate, nonidentifiable data to help track trends, identify emerging needs, and strengthen services for rural and agricultural communities.

4. Joint Outreach and Public Awareness The agencies may share and/or coordinate public communication efforts to raise awareness of available crisis services and highlight the unique stressors and mental and behavioral health needs of farmers.

5. Continuous Communication and Quality Improvement The organizations will maintain regular communication to address operational concerns, review transfer processes, and strengthen the overall collaborative relationship in support of those in crisis.

The PDs of the National Farmer Distress Helpline will be responsible for participating in the FRSAN National Coordination Council (NCC). The NCC includes Regional Center and Helpline PDs, their core project staff, and the NIFA national program leaders. The NCC will meet quarterly to discuss the activities of the program, progress, outreach, and other relevant and time-sensitive opportunities that arise. Quarterly meetings will be hosted by the FRSAN Regional Centers on a rotating basis to set the agenda, organize meeting invitations, and record notes.

PART II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding The amount available for FRSAN in FY2026 is approximately $9,583,300 and will be available to fund the first year of new projects as competitive awards. Of this amount, approximately $8,583,300 will support four Regional Centers and approximately $1,000,000 to support the National Farmer Distress Helpline. Similar funding levels may be awarded for up to an additional three years as continuation awards provided performance has been satisfactory, funding is available for this purpose, and continued support is in the best interests of the Federal government and the public. USDA is not committed to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards.

The Automated Standard Application for Payments, operated by the Department of Treasury, Bureau of Fiscal Service, is the designated payment system for awards resulting from this

NOFO.

B. Application Restrictions NIFA will evaluate applications using the criteria described in Part V of this NOFO. Application for FY2026 is limited to the following application types:

1. New application: New applications will be evaluated using the criteria described in Part V of this NOFO and are subject to the due dates herein (see Appendix III for definition).

2. Renewal application. Renewal applications must contain the same information as required for new applications and must contain a progress report. The progress report must include the implementation of the data management plan (DMP) of the previously funded project. Renewal applications are subject to the same criteria and due dates herein. Applicants submitting a renewal application must enter the NIFA-assigned proposal number of the previously approved application in the Federal Field (Field 4) on the application form (see Appendix III for definition).

C. Project and Grant Types The following describes the types of projects or grants that are eligible for funding:

1. Project Types. Applicants must propose an Extension Project as described in Part I, C of this NOFO. Only Extension Projects will be considered for review.

2. Grant Types. Applicants must select the Standard Grant described in Part I, C of this NOFO. Only Standard Grants will be considered for review.

D. Ethical Conduct of Funded Projects In accordance with sections 2, 3, and 8 of 2 CFR Part 422, institutions that conduct USDA-funded extramural research must foster an atmosphere conducive to research integrity, bear primary responsibility for prevention and detection of research misconduct, and maintain and effectively communicate and train their staff regarding policies and procedures. In the event an application to NIFA results in an award, the Authorized Representative (AR) assures, through acceptance of the award that the institution will comply with the above requirements. Award recipients must, upon request, make available to NIFA the policies, procedures, and documentation to support the conduct of the training. See Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research for further information.

https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=3f96ab05cf1fc2d2713e5e46755e7696&mc=true&node=pt2.1.422&rgn=div5#se2.1.422_12 https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research

PART III. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligibility Requirements Applicants for the FRSAN must meet all the requirements discussed in this NOFO. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s About Grants provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

Entities eligible to apply to FRSAN are:

1. an Indian tribe (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304);

2. a State department of agriculture;

3. a State Cooperative Extension Service;

4. a qualified nonprofit organization, as determined by the Secretary;

5. an entity providing appropriate services, as determined by the Secretary, in 1 or more

States; or

6. a partnership carried out by 2 or more entities described in items (1) through (5).

Regional Center applications will only be accepted if submitted by a collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally-based network or a partnership of qualified public and/or private entities. For purposes of implementing FRSAN, a network is an organizational arrangement among three or more separately operated domestic public or private entities, including the applicant organization, with established working histories in the targeted region. Regional Center applications submitted by individuals, or by organizations that do not involve other entities in a network or partnership, are not eligible for consideration and will be excluded from review.

USDA will not accept competitive applications for grants and cooperative agreements submitted for dangerous gain-of-function research, as defined in Section 8 of E.O. 14292.

Duplicate or Multiple Submissions – NIFA will accept the most recent application if an applicant submits duplicate or multiple submissions.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching No Match Required - The FRSAN program has no matching requirement. NIFA will not factor matching resources into the review process as an evaluation criterion.

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PART IV. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

A. Method of Application Applicants must apply to this NOFO electronically; no other method or response is accepted.

The electronic application for this NOFO and additional resources are available on Grants.gov and Grants 101. Table 4 provides instructions on how to obtain an electronic application. Part III of the NIFA Grants Application Guide contains detailed information regarding the Grants.gov registration process. The NIFA Grants Application Guide is contained in the specific funding opportunity package or a sample of the guide can be found here. When applying for a NIFA award, it is important to reference the version of the guide that is included in the specific funding opportunity application package.

Table 4: Steps to Obtain Application Materials

Steps Action Step One: Register New Users to Grants.gov must register early with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application.

Step Two:

Download Adobe Download and Install Adobe Reader (see Adobe Software Compatibility for basic system requirements).

Step Three: Find Application

Using this funding opportunity number USDA-NIFA-OP-012079, search for application here: Opportunity Package.

Step Four: Assess Readiness

Contact an AR prior to starting an application to assess the organization’s readiness to submit an electronic application.

Table 5: Help and Resources

Grants.gov Support NIFA Support Grants.gov Online Support Telephone support: 800-518-4726 Toll-Free or 606-545-5035

Email support: support@grants.gov Self-service customer-based support: Grants.gov iPortal

Customer service business Hours 24/7, except federal holidays.

Email:

grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov

Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays.

B. Content and Form of the Application The NIFA Grants Application Guide is part of the corresponding application package for this NOFO. The NOFO overrides the NIFA Grants Application Guide if there is a discrepancy between the two documents. Applicants that do not meet the application requirements, to include partial applications, risk being excluded from NIFA’s review. NIFA will assign a proposal number to all applications that meet the requirements of this NOFO. Applicants must refer to the proposal number when corresponding with NIFA. Table 6 outlines other key instructions for applicants.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/learn-grants/grants-101/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ https://get.adobe.com/reader/ https://www.grants.gov/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://grants.gov/applicants/search-for-opportunity-package https://www.grants.gov/support https://www.grants.gov/support mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/ mailto:grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/federal-holidays/

Table 6: Key Application Instructions Instruction References

(All references are to the NIFA Grants Application Guide)

Attachments must be in a portable document format (PDF) format.

Part IV

Check the manifest of submitted files to verify attachments are in the correct format.

Part IV

Conduct an administrative review of the application before submission.

Part IV

Follow the submission instructions. Part IV

Provide an accurate email address, where designated, on the

SF-424 R&R.

Part V

Contact the Grants.gov helpdesk for technical support and keep a record of the correspondence.

N/A

Contact NIFA if applicant does not receive correspondence from NIFA regarding an application within 30 days of the application deadline.

N/A

SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for the required certifications and assurances.

SF 424 R&R Project/Performance Site Location(s). See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

R&R Other Project Information Form. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

1. Field 7. Project Summary (PS)/Abstract. The PS must show how the project goals align with the project goals of the FRSAN Program. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for instructions and suggested templates. The Project Summary must provide the following information in the order listed below:

a. Project title;

b. List of Project Directors (PDs) and Co-PDs and their institutions/organizations;

c. List of other collaborating institutions/organizations; and

Concise (250 words or less) description of the project.

2. Field 8. Project Narrative (PN). The PN must not exceed 22 1.5 spaced pages of written text and at least 1-inch margins with font size no smaller than 12-point Times New Roman, and up to six (6) 1.5 spaced additional pages for maps, figures and tables (the font size for tables should be no smaller than 11 points, Times New Roman). The page limits outlined here ensure fair competition. Appendices to the PN are allowed if they are directly germane to the proposed project. Do not add appendices to circumvent the page limit. Renewal Applications require an additional Progress Report for the previous FRSAN award. The Progress Report must not exceed 2 pages, and does not count against https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.nifa.usda.gov/nifa-22-001-nifa-grants-application-guide https://www.grants.gov/support the 22-page PN limit, with line spacing set at 1.5 and at least 1-inch margins with font size no smaller than 12-point Times New Roman.

The PN for Regional Center grants must include all the following:

a. Introduction

i. The introduction must include a clear statement of need and significance of the regional network your project will continue to support. Identify the region (Northeast, South, North Central, or West). Provide the most relevant data for the region the project will be serving, including data on stressors faced by agricultural communities and workers in States within your region, as well as data on the effects of those stressors on agricultural producers and their well-being. Provide references for data. Explain and substantiate any assumptions made.

ii. Include existing FRSAN and non-FRSAN stress assistance programs available to farmers in the identified region and briefly comment on how those programs currently collaborate/network with each other. If necessary, provide a map/table that clearly shows services currently offered to producers/agricultural businesses in the chosen region.

iii. List key network members (organizations) collaborating on the proposed project. Describe how the proposed regional FRSAN objectives fit within the context of what is already available in the region. For example: Will the proposed objectives and activities add to/enhance/avoid duplication of any existing efforts? Are there programmatic gaps in the region and what are some specific resources other regions might have available that your network could tap into for the benefit of agricultural communities in your own region? What is the expected public value/significance of the proposed regional network objectives/activities?

b. Proposed Approach FRSAN seeks to fulfill four programmatic goals in each region:

i. Establish/enhance a regionally representative network of member organizations.

ii. Develop and/or maintain a clearinghouse (see “Definitions” [Appendix III]) of farmer assistance programs in the region (include programs providing professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral). The clearinghouse should make nonproprietary information and resources available to the other FRSAN networks.

iii. Educate individuals/teams in your region about FRSAN activities and how they can access and use existing resources and programs in their work with agricultural workers and communities under stress.

iv. Provide a range of services referenced in the legislative authorities, (excluding a crisis line/helpline) including preventive care activities.

v. Coordinate with the National Farmer Distress Helpline to ensure seamless referral pathways, warm hand‑offs, and follow‑up care for agricultural producers and workers. Participate in joint outreach and public awareness efforts.

Given these goals, proposals should concisely and clearly present objectives, activities, and expected outcomes associated with your proposed project. All activities listed under an objective must be presented in the sequence in which the activities are expected to be performed. The sum of activities under each objective must lead to completion of that objective within the four-year project duration. In addition, for each activity, indicate the following:

i. Specific expected/desired result(s)/outcome(s) of the activity;

ii. Means (e.g., tools) by which results/outcomes will be monitored, captured, and measured;

iii. How results will be used and by whom; and

iv. Possible limitation(s) to the proposed procedures and how you plan to mitigate them.

c. Project Performance Assessment Plan

Project performance assessment plans allow projects to follow and review outcomes achieved and use results to inform, refine, and adjust future project plans as needed.

Applicants to the FRSAN program need to submit a plan for monitoring and measuring performance of their projects. The plan must include the following elements:

i. Present a logic model (see logic model template), a theory of change, or an alternative schematic that illustrates the causal linkages between planned activities and desired outcomes.

ii. Provide a timeline to demonstrate the duration and sequence of proposed activities, as well as division of labor (as noted in “Section d” below). Each objective might have multiple activities. Chart against a quarterly scale, so that the timeline depicts 1 year/4 quarters for each year of the project.

iii. Indicate who on the team will provide the project performance assessment oversight. NIFA encourages grantees to include on their teams a project performance measurement expert or an evaluator who can help develop the monitoring plan and conduct outcomes reporting. Indicate the amount of funding that will be set aside for monitoring, performance measurement, and outcomes reporting.

d. Institutional Capacity, Division of Labor, and Management Plan It is critical to have a clearly articulated management plan that describes the roles and functions of all partners, collaborators, and organizations, as related to the proposed project. Strong partnerships among complementary organizations (e.g., Indian tribes, State Departments of Agriculture, State Cooperative Extension Service, and nongovernmental organizations) with shared leadership are essential to FRSAN projects.

i. Provide justification for selection of new partner organizations. Clearly state each organization’s previous and current work that makes it a good fit for the proposed project. Briefly describe your institutions’ and teams’ ability to meet the gaps and limitations in services by detailing your accomplishments from similar projects and your experiences serving producers in your region, including prior efforts as the regional FRSAN lead organization.

ii. Describe how the relationship between organizations partnering on the proposed project will be managed. Describe the plans for coordination, https://www.nifa.usda.gov/logic-model-planning-process communication, data sharing, and reporting among members of the project team, the National Farmer Distress Helpline and stakeholder groups, as well as with the other FRSAN regional networks as appropriate.

iii. Provide a brief summary of key staff who will manage the proposed project, their respective roles, and the percentage of time they will be dedicating to the project.

iv. Describe the commitment of the lead organization and its partners to this project, and how the collaboration and its impact will be sustained beyond the award period.

v. Describe the project team’s ability to establish processes for managing the FRSAN funds awarded from NIFA and the regionally selected sub-awards.

e. Budget and Budget Narrative

i. There should be a direct relationship between the items in the budget and budget narrative, as well as between budget narrative and the objectives/activities contained in the Project Narrative.

ii. Every item in the budget must be justified in the proposal. The amount of detail depends on the nature of the project and the breakdown of costs.

iii. Proposed budgets must not exceed $8,583,300 total ($2,145,825 in FY26, $2,145,825 in FY27, $2,145,825 in FY28 and $2,145,825 in FY29).

iv. Budget breakdown and budget narrative should be provided for each project year (Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4). The project start date must be no later than September 30, 2026.

v. Annual budgets must include reasonable expenses for a two-day in-person meeting of current FRSAN regional project directors, co-project director(s), project evaluation leads and the National Farmer Distress Helpline project directors. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss accomplishments and lessons learned, engage in strategic planning, and support the alignment of efforts on indicators and outcomes measures. While budgets must account for this travel, virtual meetings may be considered.

vi. In the budget narrative, costs (e.g., personnel, materials, travel, etc.) are to be broken down and itemized rather than shown as lump sums.

Note: The budget narrative does not count toward the maximum page count.

The PN for the National Farmer Distress Helpline grant must include all the following:

a. Introduction

i. Describe the behavioral health needs and stressors specific to farmers and their families nationwide. Provide relevant data and evidence to justify the need for a dedicated National Farmer Distress Helpline.

ii. Describe your organization’s experience and success in serving rural and agricultural populations.

b. Program Approach

i. Clearly describe your approach to operating a 24/7/365 national crisis line for the agricultural community, including phone and text modalities.

ii. Outline crisis intervention protocols (risk assessment, de‑escalation, safety planning, follow‑up).

iii. Explain how you will ensure rapid response and integration with regional FRSAN centers and other crisis resources.

iv. Describe plans to coordinate with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Line, including warm transfer protocols and shared training or cross‑education.

v. Outline your outreach, communications, and engagement strategies to reach agricultural communities and stakeholders.

c. Organizational Capacity and Staffing

i. Describe your organization’s experience and success in operating a national or large-scale behavioral health crisis line or similar service.

ii. Identify and describe the qualifications and expertise of key personnel, including leadership, crisis counselors, and support staff.

iii. Provide staffing plans for recruitment, training, supervision, retention, and workforce wellness.

iv. Describe technology and cybersecurity capacity, including redundancy, backup systems, and SOPs for outages.

d. Data Collection, Quality Improvement, and Reporting

i. Provide a plan for collecting operational metrics (i.e., volume, abandonment, talk time, warm transfers, outcomes and demographics).

ii. Describe your commitment to continuous quality improvement, including mechanisms for user feedback, complaint resolution, and review of sentinel events.

iii. Explain your ability to comply with federal privacy, security, and reporting requirements, and to participate in federal evaluation and technical assistance activities.

e. Collaboration and Coordination

i. Describe partnerships and collaborations with FRSAN regional centers, Cooperative Extension, state departments of agriculture, tribal organizations, and other relevant stakeholders. Explain your approach to seamless referrals, warm hand-offs, and follow-up with local and regional behavioral health and social service providers.

ii. Describe your capacity for coordination with other crisis lines (e.g., 988, Veterans Crisis Line) and integration into the broader behavioral health crisis care system.

f. Budget and Budget Narrative

i. Provide a detailed budget and budget narrative that aligns with required activities.

ii. Explain how resources will be allocated to staffing, technology, outreach, training, and quality improvement.

iii. Proposed budgets must not exceed $4,000,000 total ($1,000,000 in FY26, $1,000,000 in FY27, $1,000,000 in FY28 and $1,000,000 in FY29).

iv. Budget breakdown and budget narrative should be provided for each project year (Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4). The project start date must be no later than September 30, 2026.

v. Annual budgets must include reasonable expenses for a two-day in-person meeting of current FRSAN regional project directors, co-project director(s), project evaluation leads and the National Farmer Distress Helpline project directors. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss accomplishments and lessons learned, engage in strategic planning, and support the alignment of efforts on indicators and outcomes measures. While budgets must account for this travel, virtual meetings may be considered.

vi. In the budget narrative, costs (e.g., personnel, materials, travel, etc.) are to be broken down and itemized rather than shown as lump sums.

Note: The budget narrative does not count toward the maximum page count.

g. Progress Report of Previous FRSAN Award (for Renewal Applications).

3. Field 12. Add Other Attachments. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

a. Data Management Plan. A DMP is required for this program. Applicants should clearly articulate how the project director (PD) and co-PDs plan to manage and disseminate the data generated by the project. The DMP will be considered during the merit review process (see Part V, B of this NOFO, NIFA’s Data Management Plan).

The DMP should not be more than 2 pages.

b. Commitment Letters. PDF attachment(s). No page limits. Letters of commitment from all partners (signed by the Authorized Representative (AR) of the partnering organization) stating that the partners involved have agreed to their stated roles in the project and have agreed to abide by the Management Plan. Letters from other organizations or people whose participation is important to the success of the project, committing those collaborators to specific roles, are also encouraged. Title the attachment(s) as ‘Letter of Commitment – Organization Name’ in the document header and save file as ‘Letter of Commitment Organization Name’. Other more general letters of support (i.e., from those who are not committing to a specific role in the project) are not needed and should not be included.

R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded). See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for profile requirements, details about the biographical sketch, and suggested support templates.

R&R Personal Data. This information is voluntary and is not a precondition of award (see Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide).

R&R Budget. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

1. Indirect Costs (IDC) – See Part IV, C of this NOFO for funding restrictions regarding

IDC, and Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide for additional information.

Supplemental Information Form. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

1. Field 2. Program to which the applicant is applying. Enter the program name “Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network” and the program code “FRSAN.”; or program name “FRSAN Crisis Line” and the program code “FRS-C.” Accurate entry is critical.

2. Field 8. Conflict of Interest List. See Part V of the NIFA Grants Application Guide.

C. Funding Restrictions Indirect Cost (IDC) is not to exceed 30 percent of the recipient’s Total Federal Funds Awarded (TFFA). 7 U.S.C. 3310 limits the recovery of IDC for the overall award to 30 percent of the TFFA under a research, education, or extension grant. The maximum allowable IDC amount recoverable under the award, including the IDC charged by the sub-awardee(s), if any, is the lesser of the following and is determined by calculating the amount of IDC using:

a. the sum of an institution’s negotiated indirect cost rate and the indirect cost rate charged by sub-awardees, if any; or

b. 30 percent of TFFA.

If the result of number one is the lesser of the two amounts, the grant recipient is allowed to charge the negotiated IDC rate on the prime award and the…