OMB No. 0584-0512

Expiration date: 03/31/2029

Team Nutrition Training Grant: Growing Healthier Futures

Fiscal Year 2026 Request for Applications (RFA)

Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 10.574

Release Date: July 1, 2026

Application Due Date: July 31, 2026 ; 11:59 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time

(EDT),

Anticipated Award Date: September 2026

This information is being collected to assist USDA’s Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) in collecting information from grant applicants that is needed to evaluate and rank applicants and protect the integrity of the grantee selection process. This is a voluntary collection and FNA will use the information to solicit applications for the Team Nutrition Training Grant program. This collection does not request any personally identifiable information under the Privacy Act of

1974. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 0584-0512. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 60 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Administration, Office of Policy Support, 1320 Braddock Place, 5th Floor, Alexandria, VA 22314

ATTN: PRA (0584-0512). Do not return the completed form to this address.

Application Checklist

This Application Checklist provides applicants with a list of the required actions and documents that must be completed. However, FNA expects that applicants will read the entire RFA prior to the submission of their application and comply with all requirements outlined in the solicitation. The

Application Checklist is for applicant use only and should not be submitted as part of the Application Package.

NOTE: This document refers to FNS forms instead of FNA temporarily, as the agency works towards an official process to update reporting form names.

Complete the following at least four weeks prior to submission:

Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number;

Register the UEI number in the System for Award Management (SAM); and, Register in grants.gov.

When preparing your application, ensure:

Application format and narrative meet the requirements included in Section 4. This includes priorities outlined in Section 5, and all necessary attachments.

When preparing your budget, ensure the following information is included:

All key staff proposed to be paid by this grant.

The percentage of time the Project Director will devote to the project in full-time equivalents

(FTEs).

Your organization’s fringe benefit rate and amount, as well as the basis for the computation.

The type of fringe benefits to be covered with Federal funds.

Itemized travel expenses (including type of travel), travel justification, and basis for lodging estimate.

Types of equipment and supplies, justifications, and estimates, ensuring that the budget is in line with the project description.

Information for all contracts and justification for any sole-source contracts Justification, description, and an itemized list of all consultant services.

Indirect cost information. Provide either a copy of a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or if no agreement exists, the applicant may charge up to 15% de minimis. If an applicant is requesting the de minimis rate or indirect costs are not required, please state this in the Budget Narrative.

When submitting your application, ensure you have submitted the following:

SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance (fillable PDF in Grants.gov) SF-424A – Budget Information and Instruction Form (fillable PDF in Grants.gov) SF-424B – Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

SF-LLL – Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

AD-3030 – Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants (fillable PDF in Grants.gov). This document is only required if your organization is a corporation. The form is located in the optional tab of the grants.gov application package.

http://www.grants.gov/ https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424_4_0-V4.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424A-V1.0.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SF424B-V1.1.pdf https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/sample/SFLLL_2_0-V2.0.pdf

FNS-906 – Grant Program Accounting System & Financial Capability Questionnaire (fillable PDF in Grants.gov)

Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (PDF - Upload using the “Add Attachments” button under SF-424 item #15) Project Narrative (Appendix A) Budget Narrative and Instructions (Appendix B) State Partnership Letter (Appendix C, if applicable)

Key Staff

Resumes

Table of Contents

1. Program Description and Objectives

1.1 Executive Summary

1.2 Program Description

1.3 Team Nutrition Training Grant Objectives

1.4 Sample Activities by Objective

1.4.1 Example Activities by Objective

1.4.2 Potential Resources for Objectives

2. Federal Award Information

2.1 Total Amount of Funding Expected to Award

2.2 Sub-grant Funding

2.3 Anticipated Start Dates and Period of Performance

2.4 Types of Federal Funds

2.5 Allowable Costs

2.5 Unallowable Costs

3. Eligibility Information

3.1 Eligible Applicants

3.1.1 Cost Sharing Considerations

3.1.2 Other Eligibility Criteria

3.1.3 Failure to Submit Required Documents and Forms

3.2 Pre-award Screening Requirements

3.3 Acknowledgement of USDA Support

4. Application Content Information

4.1 Content and Form of Application Submission

Special Instructions

4.2 Project Narrative

4.2.1 Coversheet/Contact Information:

4.2.2 Executive Summary:

4.2.3 Evaluation Plan

4.2.4 Project Timeline

4.2.5 Project Management, Key Personnel, and Quality Assurance

4.3 Budget Narrative

4.3.1 Budget

4.3.2 Budget Narrative

4.3 State Partnership Letter

4.4 Indirect Cost Rate

4.5 Required Grant Application Forms

5. Application Review Information

5.1 Review Criteria

5.2 Evaluation Criteria

Project Design (40 points)

Evaluation Plan (10 points)

Project Management, Key Personal, and Quality Assurance (30 points)

Budget Plan (20 points)

Bonus Points (up to 10 bonus points)

5.3 Review and Selection Process

5.4 Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Date

6. Application Submission Information

6.1 Submission Date

6.2 Preparing for Electronic Application Submission through Grants.gov

6.3 How to Submit an Application via Grants.gov

6.4 Grants.gov Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

6.4 Funding Restrictions

7. Federal Award Administration Information

7.1 Federal Award Notice

7.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

7.2.1 Confidentiality of an Application

7.2.2 Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality of the Review Process

7.2.3 Administrative Regulations

7.2.4 Code of Federal Regulations and Other Government Requirements

7.3 Reporting Requirements

The frequency of reporting is quarterly

7.3.1 Financial Reports

7.3.3 Performance Progress Reports (PPR)

7.3.3 Final Reports

7.3.4 Final Deliverables

8. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

9. Other Information

9.1 Debriefing Requests

10. Appendices

Appendix A: Project Work Plan

Appendix B: Budget Narrative Template and Instructions

Appendix C: State Partnership Letter Template

Appendix D: Definitions

Appendix E: RFA Budget Narrative Checklist

Appendix F: FNA-908 Performance Progress Report (PPR)

Appendix G: Required Performance Measures

Appendix H: Progress Reporting

1. Program Description and Objectives

1.1 Executive Summary

Established in 1995, the Team Nutrition initiative supports the nutritional health of children across the United States through evidence-based nutrition education and the promotion of

Team Nutrition messages and materials. These efforts are grounded in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030; published under Section 301 of the National Nutrition Monitoring and Related Research Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5341).

Authorized by Section 19 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, the United States Department of

Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) provides grants to State agencies to:

• Deliver training and technical assistance to child nutrition professionals;

• Offer nutrition education to students and their caregivers, and;

• Foster healthy school nutrition environments.

USDA FNA is offering up to $10 million in Federal funding through the Team Nutrition Training

Grant: Growing Healthier Futures. This competitive funding opportunity is open to State agencies that administer Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) and will empower State agencies to develop innovative strategies that strengthen CNPs in schools and child care settings. These grants support the Dietary Guidelines, which promotes scratch cooking, meal quality innovation, professional development, and nutrition education programming.

While State agencies are well-positioned to lead these efforts for operators of the National

School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Summer Food Service

Program (SFSP), and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) (including the At-Risk Afterschool Program), they often face financial and operational challenges that hinder long-term sustainability. This grant aims to help overcome those barriers and reinforce the core tenets of USDA’s Team Nutrition initiative.

To ensure the success of grant-funded activities, funds will be awarded competitively to State agencies, contingent upon the availability of Federal funding.

1.2 Program Description

USDA FNA administers federally assisted meal programs—including the NSLP, SBP, SFSP, and the CACFP—that operate in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. These programs provide nutritious, low-cost or free meals to children during the school day and, through SFSP and the At-Risk Afterschool Program, ensure access to healthy meals when school is not in session.

USDA recognizes the important role that child nutrition program operators play in serving nutritious meals and snacks to the children in their care, and that these meal programs are https://realfood.gov/%23resources https://realfood.gov/%23resources https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=7+U.S.C.+5341&f=treesort&fq=true&num=14&hl=true&edition=prelim&granuleId=USC-prelim-title7-section5341 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-10328/pdf/COMPS-10328.pdf https://realfood.gov/%23resources essential to providing the healthiest meals and snacks most children receive each day. Meals served through these programs must meet Federal nutrition standards set in regulations based on the Dietary Guidelines. While release of the new Dietary Guidelines does not immediately impact program requirements, Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke L. Rollins, strongly encourages child nutrition program operators to familiarize themselves with the key recommendations and consider how these Guidelines can be incorporated into program meals and snacks to promote healthy outcomes and healthy families. While USDA FNA sets the overarching meal pattern requirements and dietary specifications, school food authorities (SFAs) and child care institutions determine the specific foods served and how they are prepared.

The Trump Administration’s Make Our Children Healthy Again strategy seeks to reverse the childhood chronic disease crisis by addressing root causes through science-based, pro-growth policies. Aligned with the latest Dietary Guidelines, this strategy aims to reduce chronic disease and build a healthier future for children. In summary, these guidelines have been updated by:

• Prioritizing a variety of high-quality, nutrient-dense protein foods at every meal from animal sources, including eggs, poultry, seafood, and red meat, as well as a variety of plant-sourced protein foods including beans, peas, lentils, legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy;

• Encouraging a variety of dairy fat options, including whole and reduced-fat milk;

• Promoting the consumption of vegetables and fruits of all types, including fresh, frozen, canned, juiced, and dried, throughout the day;

• Incorporating healthy fats from whole foods such as meats, poultry, eggs, seafood, nuts, seeds, full-fat dairy, olives, and avocados;

• Prioritizing fiber-rich whole grains while significantly reducing refined grains, especially those high in added sugars; and

• Limiting certain highly processed foods, added sugars, and refined carbohydrates.

USDA FNA supports this vision through Team Nutrition Training Grants and resources that enhance the CNPs.

Authorized by Section 19 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, USDA FNA provides the Team Nutrition Training Grant to support training and technical assistance for child nutrition professionals, nutrition education for students and their caregivers, and activities to build a healthy school nutrition environment.

The FY 2026 Team Nutrition Training Grant: Growing Healthier Futures will help State agencies:

• Build capacity;

• Improve meal quality through professional development;

https://realfood.gov/%23resources https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/The-MAHA-Strategy-WH.pdf https://cdn.realfood.gov/DGA.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-10328/pdf/COMPS-10328.pdf

• Strengthen nutrition education, lifestyle interventions, and parent engagement;

• Provide targeted support for NSLP, SBP, SFSP, and the CACFP administrators to improve meal quality and;

• Build personnel infrastructure for NSLP, SBP, SFSP, and CACFP operators.

To encourage cross-State collaboration, USDA FNA will award ten (10) bonus points to applicants who partner with another State agency administering the NSLP, SBP, SFSP, or the CACFP. Please refer to Section 5 for more information.

For more information on the Eat Real Food initiative and Dietary Guidelines, visit realfood.gov.

1.3 Team Nutrition Training Grant Objectives

The goal of the FY 2026 Team Nutrition Training Grant: Growing Healthier Futures is to enhance training for child nutrition professionals to improve meal quality, support wellness policies and nutrition education that emphasize whole, minimally processed foods, and build sustainable infrastructure for NSLP, SBP, SFSP, and CACFP program operators.

Applicants have the option of selecting one of the two objectives below. Applicants must select only one (1) grant objective. Applications proposing activities under multiple objectives will NOT be considered. For selected objective, applicants must demonstrate how program activities will support each respective sub-element (e.g. 1.1, 2.1).

Grant Objective #1: Deliver training and technical assistance to child nutrition professionals in the School Meals Programs to improve meal planning and preparation in line with the Dietary Guidelines, while promoting nutrition education and fostering healthy school environments that support nutritious food choices and active lifestyles. Proposals must focus on all three (3) School Meals Programs: NSLP, SBP and SFSP.

Focus Strategy: School Meals Program

Sub-element Objective #1

1.1 Provide training and technical assistance to child nutrition professionals

(e.g., foodservice staff) to strengthen their skills in planning, preparing and serving meals that align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

1.2 Provide nutrition education opportunities using Team Nutrition, Dietary

Guidelines, and Realfood.gov materials or other evidence-based nutrition education.

1.3 Build support for healthy school environments that encourage nutritious, whole food choices and physically active lifestyles, year-round.

Grant Objective #2: Provide training, mentorship, and technical assistance to CACFP providers to enhance meal planning and preparation for children and adults, while delivering https://realfood.gov/ nutrition education through multiple channels and promoting healthy food environments at CACFP sites.

1.4 Sample Activities by Objective

Applicants must include proposed activities that are clearly aligned to their selected objective and their associated performance measures.

Applicants must include activities in support of all three (3) sub-elements (e.g. 2.1, 1.3,) outlined in the objective tables above. Examples of recommended activities are listed below, but applicants are free to propose others relevant to their selected objective.

NOTE: If awarded, grantees will be required to report on progress toward activities aligned with the required objective(s) and must use the FNS-908 Performance Progress Report.

Carefully considering proposed activities and indicators will prepare grantees for their progress reporting requirements if awarded.

1.4.1 Example Activities by Objective

Grant Objective #1

Below is a list of sample activities that align with objective #1. Objective sub-element numbers are provided after each sample activity for reference.

• Train child nutrition professionals to apply the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations in menu planning and scratch cooking, prioritizing whole foods, while reducing added sugar (1.2).

• Develop innovative nutrition education curricula, using the Real Food Pyramid visuals

(1.2).

Focus Strategy: Child and Adult Care

Sub-element Objective #2

2.1 Provide training, mentorship, and technical assistance to CACFP providers at child care centers, family child care homes, and adult day care centers who plan and prepare meals for children and adults. This may include Head Start and Early Head Start centers.

2.2 Provide nutrition education through a variety of communication channels

(e.g., food service initiatives, child care activities, home activities, community programs and events, traditional and social media) for children and adults at CACFP sites.

2.3 Build and sustain a healthy food environment for children and adults at

CACFP sites.

• Provide workshops and outreach materials to parents and caregivers that highlight the Dietary Guidelines, U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s “Healthy” claim, and strategies for selecting and preparing healthier meals at home (1.2).

• Host school-based events and activities to increase awareness of the Real Food

Pyramid, Dietary Guidelines, and the nutritional quality of school meals, such as National School Lunch Week and School Breakfast Week celebrations (1.1).

• Create self-reporting opportunities for SFAs on early adoption of cafeteria choices aligned with the new Dietary Guidelines (e.g., choosing lean protein, full-fat dairy, and healthy fats) (1.3).

• Establish school-based activities to promote and engage students around the Real Food Pyramid and Dietary Guidelines (e.g., recipe competitions, prep rallies, art submissions) (1.3).

• Identify opportunities to coordinate with other FNA grant programs (e.g., Patrick

Leahy Farm to School Grant) and initiatives to maximize nutrition education message delivery and expanded ingredient procurement, prioritizing lean protein, full-fat dairy, and healthy fats, without duplicating effort (1.2).

• Train child nutrition professionals on behavioral economics strategies, culinary principles, USDA Professional Standards, and other relevant topics related to CNP

(1.1).

• Offer sustainable, human-centered design supports (e.g., mentorship, coaching) to help school food service staff develop and strengthen their skills throughout their careers (1.1).

• Develop and maintain an online, on-demand resource portfolio for child nutrition professionals, offering materials appropriate for staff ranging from entry‑level roles to highly experienced, tenured positions (1.1).

• Create/establish a Community of Practice (CoP) for nutrition education providers for coalition building and network sharing (1.2).

• Conduct training sessions to raise awareness among school staff, parents, and the community about the Local School Wellness Policy (LSWP) and its role in supporting student health and well-being (1.3).

• Educate parents and staff about Smart Snacks in School requirements (1.3).

• Host taste tests to get feedback on existing or new meal menu items and other sitewide events, on new recipes, meal items aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for

Americans (1.3).

• Develop and provide support tools, networks, and systems to ensure effective execution and engagement of LSWP (1.3).

https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-food-labeling-and-critical-foods/use-healthy-claim-food-labeling

Grant Objective #2 Below is a list of sample activities that align with objective #2. Objective sub-element numbers are provided after each activity for reference.

• Develop innovative nutrition education curricula, centered around the Real Food

Pyramid visuals and Dietary Guidelines (2.2)

• Provide nutrition education for adults in adult day care settings using the Dietary Guidelines (2.3).

• Conduct training for CACFP providers on ways to create a positive mealtime environment and family style meal service using the Real Food Pyramid and Dietary Guidelines (2.3).

• Provide nutrition education for children in child care settings using Team Nutrition’s and the Dietary Guidelines suite of resources (2.2).

• Identify opportunities to coordinate with other grant programs (e.g., Farm to School,) and initiatives to maximize nutrition education message delivery and expanded ingredient procurement, prioritizing lean protein, full-fat dairy, and healthy fats, without duplicating efforts (2.2).

• Train CACFP operators on menu planning, meal pattern requirements, and behavioral economics strategies in care center settings, using the Real Food Pyramid and Dietary

Guidelines (2.1).

• Train CACFP providers on easy-to-use components in the Crediting Handbook for the

Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition

Programs web tool or mobile app, such as the Exhibit A Grains Tool and the FBG

Calculator (2.1).

• Offer sustainable, human-centered design supports (e.g., mentorship, coaching) for child care staff to develop and strengthen their skills throughout their careers (2.1).

• Establish state-wide coaching and mentorship program for program operators (2.1).

• Create/establish a Community of Practice (CoP) for nutrition education providers for coalition building and network sharing (2.2)

• Identify opportunities to coordinate with other programs and organizations that work with child care centers, family child care homes, and adult day care centers to ensure consistent messaging and awareness of CACFP meal pattern requirements and regulations (2.3).

https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/cacfp/crediting-handbook https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/cacfp/crediting-handbook https://foodbuyingguide.fns.usda.gov/ https://foodbuyingguide.fns.usda.gov/ https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/fbg/app https://foodbuyingguide.fns.usda.gov/Content/TablesFBG/Exhibit_A_Grain_Requirements_For_Child_Nutrition_Programs.pdf

1.4.2 Potential Resources for Objectives

Resources:

2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans:

• Dietary Guidelines for Americans

• Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 – Promoting Real Food in Child Nutrition Programs

• The Scientific Foundation Appendices

• The Scientific Foundations for the Dietary Guidelines for American

• Daily Servings Guide

Make American Healthy Again:

• Make America Healthy Again

• The MAHA Report

Training Tool References:

• A Guide to Smart Snacks in School

• Crediting Tip Sheets in Child Nutrition Programs

• Food Buying Guide Training Resources

• Guide to Professional Standards for School Nutrition Programs

• Institute of Child Nutrition’s Shaking It Up: Small Changes Lead to Big Flavors

• Local School Wellness Policy Outreach Toolkit

• Menu Planner for School Meals

• Offering Meats and Meat Alternates at School Breakfast

• The Whole Grain Resource for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast

Programs

• USDA Approved Nutrient Analysis Software

• USDA Recipe Standardization Process for School Nutrition Professionals (ICN)

CACFP Resources:

• Breastfed Babies Welcome Here! A Mother's Guide

• CACFP Meal Pattern Training Worksheets

• CACFP Trainer's Tools: Feeding Infants

• Child Care Organization | Food and Nutrition Administration (usda.gov)

• Crediting Handbook for the CACFP

• Family Style Meal Service with Children in the CACFP

• Feeding Infants in the Child and Adult Care Food Program

• Growing a Healthier Future with the CACFP Infographic

• Mealtimes With Toddlers in the CACFP

• Reducing the Risk of Choking in Young Children at Mealtimes

• CACFP Meal Pattern Training Slides https://cdn.realfood.gov/DGA_508.pdf https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/DGA-2025-2030-realfood https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/DGA-2025-2030-realfood https://cdn.realfood.gov/Scientific%20Report%20Appendices_1.8.26.pdf https://cdn.realfood.gov/Scientific%20Report_508.pdf https://cdn.realfood.gov/Daily%20Serving%20Sizes_508.pdf https://www.hhs.gov/maha/index.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/maha/ https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/guide-smart-snacks-school https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/crediting-tip-sheets-child-nutrition-programs https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/food-buying-guide-training-resources https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/guide-professional-standards-school-nutrition-programs https://theicn.org/shaking-it-up/ https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/wellness-policy/outreach-toolkit https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/menu-planner-school-meals https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/offering-meats-and-meat-alternates-school-breakfast https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/whole-grain-resource-national-school-lunch-and-breakfast-programs https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/whole-grain-resource-national-school-lunch-and-breakfast-programs https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/usda-approved-nutrient-analysis-software https://theicn.org/cicn/usda-recipe-standardization-guide-for-school-nutrition-programs/ https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/breastfed-babies-welcome-here https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/meal-pattern-training-worksheets-cacfp https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/cacfp/trainers-tools/feeding-infants https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/child-care-organization https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/cacfp/crediting-handbook https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/cacfp/family-style-meals https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/cacfp/feeding-infants https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/cacfp/growing-healthier-future-infographic https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/mealtimes-toddlers-cacfp https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/reducing-risk-choking-young-children-mealtimes https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/cacfp/meal-pattern-training-slides

• CACFP Snack Menu Planner

• Step-by-Step Recipe Standardization Guide for the CACFP https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/lets-make-snack https://theicn.org/icn-resources-a-z/step-by-step-recipe-standardization-guide-for-the-child-and-adult-care-food-program/

2. Federal Award Information

2.1 Total Amount of Funding Expected to Award

During FY 2026, USDA FNA plans to award up to $10 million in Federal funding for the Team

Nutrition Training Grant: Growing Healthier Futures, subject to the availability of funds. State agencies may request up to $1,000,000 to support activities over the 3-year grant period. The following information is intended to provide applicants with information to help make informed decisions about proposal submissions.

• Total amount of funding expected to be awarded: $10,000,000

• Anticipated number of awards: 8-10

• Minimum award amount (award floor): $500,000

• Maximum award amount (award ceiling): $1,000,000

• Anticipated award announcement date: September 2026

• Anticipated period of performance (start and end date of the award): September 30, 2026 – September 30, 2029

• Application due date: July 31, 2026, 11:59 pm EDT

NOTE:

• Grant awards are subject to the availability of funding and/or appropriations of funds.

• FNA reserves the right to use this solicitation and the results of this competition to award additional grants this year or the subsequent fiscal year, should additional funds become available.

• Applications, and all proposed activities, must comply with applicable laws, regulations, and executive orders. FNA reserves the right to exclude from consideration any applications proposing activities in contradiction of these requirements.

2.2 Sub-grant Funding

Sub-grants are not a required part of the FY 2026 Team Nutrition Training Grant. However, the grantee may issue sub-grants to the following entities for purposes of meeting the objectives of the grant:

• SFAs

• CACFP institutions

• Land-grant colleges and universities

• Tribal government-owned entity, arm, or instrumentality

• Native Hawaiian Organization as recognized by the Department of the Interior

• Other non-governmental entities including Tribal Colleges & Universities

• Nonprofit organizations with expertise in culinary training, school meals service, or other relevant areas.

All potential sub-grants must be described in application.

Grantees will be accountable for the performance of all subrecipients and must ensure that all sub-grants abide by all terms and conditions of the award.

2.3 Anticipated Start Dates and Period of Performance

The anticipated grant period of performance for this opportunity will be September 30, 2026 to September 30, 2029 (approximately a 3-year period of performance).

Applicants should plan accordingly so that they can complete all grant activities including start-up, execution, and close-out activities (final financial and program reporting, accounting, etc.) within the period of performance.

2.4 Types of Federal Funds

Funding for approved the Team Nutrition Training Grant: Growing Healthier Futures will be provided through the grant award/letter of credit process, upon receipt of an executed grant agreement between USDA FNA and the grantee. These awards are subject to the availability and apportionment of Federal funds.

2.5 Allowable Costs

All costs proposed in the budget and detailed in the Budget Narrative must be allowable, reasonable, necessary, and allocable. Refer to 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles for a detailed description of all allowable and unallowable costs.

A complete listing of selected items of costs is located at 2 CFR 200.420 – 200.476.

Food:

Team Nutrition Training Grant funds may be used to purchase food only when it is part of a culinary training activity or when small quantities are needed for menu development and testing. Funds may not be used to purchase food for serving part of a reimbursable meal.

Grant funds may not be used to purchase food to provide meals for training participants.

Food purchases must be in accordance with the USDA’s Buy American Provision. Any food purchase, as well as any expenditures associated with food purchases, must be clearly identified within the submitted budget narrative.

Kitchen Supplies:

Team Nutrition Training Grant funds may be used to purchase kitchen supplies (<$10,000) necessary for food storage, preparation, production, and display of food prepared for training purposes, including but not limited to:

• Food storage containers

• Pots

• Pans

• Mixing bowls https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.420 https://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp/compliance-enforcement-buy-american

• Knives

• Utensils

• Tabletop cooking equipment

Demonstration Tools, Apparel, and Supplies:

Team Training Nutrition Grant funds may be used to purchase food production, demonstration equipment, apparel, and supplies related to training including but not limited to:

• Mobile food carts (<$10,000)

• Demonstration tables (<$10,000)

• Aprons

• Gloves

• Hairnets

• Single-serving cups

• Bowls

• Paper towels

Training Incentives:

Monetary awards (up to $500 per child nutrition professional during the period of performance for the grant) to incentivize completion of training programs are an allowable cost. Applicant must explain how the incentive will be issued (rules, guidelines, recipient requirements, etc.) The total expenditure for training incentives should not exceed 5% of the total grant award.

Professional Allowances:

Memberships and professional activities are allowable expenses (2 CFR Part 200.454). Costs of institutional memberships in technical and professional organizations necessary to effectively implement activities as approved under this grant are allowable (e.g., Academy of

Nutrition and Dietetics, School Nutrition Association, Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior) during the grant period of performance. Costs of individual professional memberships in such organizations for personnel that work in school nutrition or dietetics are NOT allowable. Professional registration or license fees paid by individuals are unallowable because the fees would be considered personal expenses, not institutional expenses.

Personnel Costs and Benefits:

Salaries and benefits of personnel involved in nutrition education and administrative support of activities under this grant are allowable expenses. All staff wages, salaries, and benefits must be computed on a reasonable hourly basis commensurate with duties being performed, or the Federal minimum hourly wages established by the United States Department of Labor.

The wages and salaries shall be commensurate to the task an individual is performing under this grant, as opposed to reflecting other positions for which he/she is credentialed (e.g., if a physician is teaching a nutrition education lesson as a Nutrition Classroom Educator, pay will https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.454 be commensurate with the activity of nutrition education in a classroom rather than that of a physician).

Staff Development and/or Substitute Pay:

Team Nutrition Training Grant funds may be used to hire substitute school nutrition staff, in order that school nutrition staff may attend a training session or workshop. For accounting purposes, a record of who attended the training session, how long it lasted, and the purpose of the session is required.

Property Usage:

Cost of leasing a space to rent to complete administrative, professional, or other nutrition training activities is an allowable expense in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200.465. This cost includes depreciation based on the building’s original acquisition cost, and such building-related costs as maintenance and utilities; must not include costs of maintenance, utilities, etc. directly if they are already charged as indirect costs.

Technology/Software:

Team Nutrition Training Grants may be used to purchase USDA approved nutrient analysis software, content learning management systems, premium subscriptions to design and visual communication platforms, productivity and communication software, and other software used to provide training as part of this grant. Procurement of hardware such as laptops and tablets that are used specifically for the purposes of the grant activities are also permitted. A one-time purchase of a Wi/Fi hotspot to support tablet/iPad function is allowable.

Procurement of technology may not exceed ten (10) percent of requested funds. Funds used to purchase high-resolution photography equipment shall not exceed $2,000 total.

Travel:

Team Nutrition Training Grant funds may be used for travel costs necessary for conducting grant activities. Applicants are required to budget for travel to FNA for the grantee meeting.

Travel expenses may also include:

• Travel reimbursement for State agency staff attending local and in-State trainings or meetings related to activities under this grant (reimbursement may only be paid for travel expenses in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations 41 CFR Part 301 and shall not exceed the lesser of State or Federal maximum per diem rates).

• Travel costs and stipends may be used as reimbursement for local travel and hotel costs for child nutrition professionals (school district staff) to attend grant-related trainings and activities.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.465 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-41/subtitle-F/chapter-301

Allowable Cost for Sub-Grants:

Funds may be used for food (only if it is part of a culinary training or purchased in small amounts needed for menu development and testing), professional allowances, reinforcement materials, cookware, technology, travel, translation services, training, and other direct costs specifically to assist in meeting the key objectives specified.

Applicants must outline the guidance they will provide to sub-grant applicants for allowable/ unallowable costs. All sub-grant budget line items must be allowable costs as defined in this RFA and 2 CFR Part 200.

Proposed costs must be necessary, reasonable, and allocable to carry out the project’s goals and objectives. Expenditure must not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under similar circumstances and would qualify as a sound business practice.

2.5 Unallowable Costs

Unallowable costs in the grant or sub-grants include:

Marketing and Materials:

• Advertising and public relations materials, except when incurred for social marketing campaigns as defined under the grant for the purposes of recruitment of staff, acquisition of material for the grant, or publishing the results or accomplishments of the grant. Costs incurred to publicize the organization, as opposed to Team Nutrition activities, are not allowable.

• Purchase or production of written or visual material for purposes of lobbying or influencing Federal, State, or local officials to pass or sign legislation or to influence the outcomes of an election, referendum, or initiative.

• Costs for any materials that have already been charged to another Federal or private program or source.

• Any material that endorses or promotes brand name products or retail stores.

• Manufacturer or store (cents off) coupons.

Equipment:

• Large-scale, commercial foodservice equipment (>$10,000).

• Medical equipment.

• Physical activity equipment.

Activities and Education:

• Staff wellness activities outside the scope of this grant.

• Classes that are designed to provide case management or “life skills” training such as classes on English as a second language, parenting, child development, and crisis management.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.465

• Nutrition education related to dietary needs of individuals, specific disease states, or altered physiological states.

• Food safety education, outside of education needed to prepare foods safely.

• Activities conducted in support of programs that are not the NSLP, SBP, SFSP, or the

CACFP.

Entertainment:

Costs of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities and any associated costs are unallowable (mascot costumes, promotional items, etc.) unless there is a programmatic purpose, and prior approval is granted by USDA FNA.

Summary There is limited funding to accomplish the Team Nutrition Training Grant: Growing Healthier

Futures’ objectives. State agencies shall ensure the best use of the limited funding. A positive answer should always be sought to the following questions:

1. Is the cost applicable to my grant and the sub-grant’s objectives?

2. Is the cost allowable according to program cost principles?

3. Is the cost reasonable and appropriate?

All costs proposed in the budget and detailed in the budget narrative must be allowable, reasonable, necessary, and allocable. Refer to 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E – Cost Principles for a detailed description of all allowable and unallowable costs.

3. Eligibility Information

3.1 Eligible Applicants

State agencies in the contiguous US, Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam, or the US Virgin

Islands that administer the NSLP, SBP, SFSP, and the CACFP may apply in response to this solicitation. The goal of the Team Nutrition Training Grant: Growing Healthier Futures is to provide funding for State agencies in training for child nutrition professionals to improve meal quality, supports wellness policies and nutrition education that emphasize whole, minimally processed foods, and builds sustainable infrastructure for program operators.

Each State or partnering State may submit only one (1) application. State agencies may only apply as either the coordinating or partnering entity. If the same State agency is the coordinating entity in multiple applications, all applications submitted by that organization will be removed from consideration. For example, if a State agency submits one application as the coordinating entity and then the same State agency appears on a second application as the partnering entity, BOTH applications will be removed from consideration

For more information on State partnerships, see Section 4.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E

3.1.1 Cost Sharing Considerations

There are no cost sharing requirements for this grant program.

3.1.2 Other Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for this Grant Program, all entities in receipt of any existing or prior year Team Nutrition Training Grants must be in good standing and current on required deliverables by the application deadline. Grant deliverables include all progress and financial status reports and an Action Plan, if applicable.

No statement in this RFA supersedes the terms and conditions of a previously awarded grant with respect to the final due date of any deliverables. Submitting all required deliverables, including reports and, if applicable, an Action Plan, is an independent requirement for applicants to the FY 2026 Team Nutrition Training Grant, regardless of the year of the prior award. FNA strongly advises past grantees interested in applying for the FY 2026 Team

Nutrition Training Grant to contact FNA well in advance of the application deadline to ensure they have completed or are current on all grant requirements for their past grant. See Section

8 for the appropriate point-of-contact for questions about this solicitation.

Suspended or debarred organizations are ineligible to submit applications in response to this grant solicitation.

3.1.3 Failure to Submit Required Documents and Forms

In cases where an applicant is deemed nonresponsive for failing to submit required elements or documents associated with this RFA, they will be considered ineligible and removed from consideration. Any applicant who fails to submit required documents or forms will be deemed non-responsive and therefore will be ineligible to participate in the competition and removed from further consideration.

3.2 Pre-award Screening Requirements

In reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, prior to making a Federal award, Federal Awarding Agencies, in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200.205, are required to review information available through any OMB-designated repositories of government-wide eligibility qualifications or financial integrity information. Additionally, Federal Awarding

Agencies are required to have a framework in place for evaluating the risks posed by applicants before they receive Federal awards. The FNA review of risk posed by applicants will be based on the following:

• SAM.gov, the System for Award Management, the Official U.S. Government system that consolidated the capabilities of CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-C/section-200.205

• Existing entities can find their UEI by following the steps on the Federal Service Desk.

New entities can get their UEI at SAM.gov and, if required, complete an entity registration.

• FNA Risk Assessment Questionnaire: Applicants must complete the Grant Program

Accounting System & Financial Capability Questionnaire (FNS-906) that allows FNA to evaluate aspects of the applicant’s financial stability, quality of management systems, and history of performance, reports, and findings from audits. The questionnaire contains several questions that may be an indicator of potential risk.

The evaluation of the information obtained from the designated systems and the risk assessment questionnaire may result in FNA imposing special conditions or additional oversight requirements that correspond to the degree of risk assessed.

3.3 Acknowledgment of USDA Support

As outlined in 2 CFR Part 415.2, grant recipients shall include acknowledgment of USDA FNA support on any publications written or published with grant support and, if feasible, on any publication reporting the results of, or describing, a grant-supported activity. Recipients shall include acknowledgment of USDA FNA support on any audiovisual which is produced with grant support, and which has a direct production cost of over $5,000.

When acknowledging USDA support, use the following language: "This material is based upon work that is supported by the Food and Nutrition Administration, U.S. Department of

Agriculture.” Grantees should follow the USDA Visual Standards Guide when using the USDA logo. Grantees should follow guidance provided by USDA FNA when using Team Nutrition image art.

Grant recipients may be asked to host USDA officials for a site visit during the course of their grant award. All costs associated with the site visit will be paid for by USDA and are not expected to be included in grant budgets.

4. Application Content Information

4.1 Content and Form of Application Submission

Eligible applicants interested in applying for this grant opportunity must provide responses to prompts found in the Project Work Plan. Although not required, it’s recommended to use the provided templates:

• Appendix A: Project Work Plan for the selected objective.

• Appendix B: Budget Narrative and Instructions

• Appendix B: Budget Narrative and Instructions

• Follow all application instructions regarding budget, timeline, resumes, etc.

• All pages, excluding form pages, must be numbered sequentially.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-IV/part-415/subpart-B/section-415.2 https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/visual-standards-guide-january-2013.pdf

Submit completed application via Grants.gov. Files should be submitted as a Portable

Document Format file (PDF) through the Grants.gov workspace.

Special Instructions

• Applications not submitted via Grants.gov will not be considered.

• Late application submission will not be considered in this competition. USDA FNA will not consider additions or revisions to applications unless they are submitted via

Grants.gov by the deadline. No additions or revisions will be accepted after the deadline.

• Applications submitted without the required supporting documents, forms, or certifications will not be considered.

• Applications missing written proposals or budget narrative will not be considered and deemed nonresponsive and removed from further consideration.

• FNA reserves the right to request clarification on any application submitted in response to this solicitation.

• Letters of Commitment must be submitted with the application through Grants.gov.

Letters submitted via email will not be considered.

• Applications that propose activities under multiple objectives will NOT be considered.

• If multiple application packages are submitted through Grants.gov by the same applicant for the same objective in response to this solicitation, FNA will accept the last application package successfully submitted. All other packages submitted by the applicant will be removed from this competition.

• State agencies may only apply as either the coordinating or partnering entity. If the same State agency is the coordinating entity in multiple applications, all applications submitted by that organization will be removed from consideration. For example, if a State agency submits one application as the coordinating entity and then the same

State agency appears on a second application as the partnering entity, BOTH applications will be removed from consideration.

4.2 Project Narrative

The project narrative must include all the information listed below. Although not required, applicants are encouraged to use the Appendix A: Project Work Plan in its entirety for the selected objective. The Project Work Plan combines the required elements of the project narrative into a single document.

4.2.1 Coversheet/Contact Information:

The cover page should include at minimum:

• Applicant’s name and mailing address

• Primary contact’s name, job title, mailing address, phone number, and email address

• Organizational classification

• Objective selection

• Project Title

4.2.2 Executive Summary:

The Executive Summary should briefly and clearly describe the proposed grant activities and anticipated outcomes. This section should include a summary of your project that includes:

• Project purpose.

• Selected objective.

• Description of the planned project that specifies key activities under the three

(3) Team Nutrition sub-elements and the targeted audience.

• Evaluation plan, including its basic research questions, research design, planned data collection and deliverables.

4.2.3 Evaluation Plan:

Describe a plan for evaluating all objectives and activities.

At a minimum, the evaluation plan must describe:

• How the applicant will collect data and use evaluation findings for continuous program quality improvement.

• How key program partners will participate in the performance measurement and evaluation processes.

• Available data sources, feasibility of collecting appropriate performance and evaluation data, and other relevant data (e.g., performance measures proposed by the applicant).

The performance measures grantees are expected to achieve by the end of the period of performance are based upon Team Nutrition Training Grant Objectives in Section 1.

Applicants must address six (6) performance measures: four (4) mandatory and two (2) additional measures provided. Applicants have the discretion to swap the non-mandatory measures, with others relevant to the specified objective. Refer to Appendix G: Required

Performance Measures for more details.

Applicants must map their…