FY26_TNTG_RFA_FAQ.pdf

Food and Nutrition Administration, 1400 Jefferson Dr, Washington, DC 20250

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Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Team Nutrition Training Grant:

Growing Healthier Futures Frequently Asked Questions

On July 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) released a request for applications (RFA) for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Team Nutrition Training Grant: Growing Healthier Futures. State agencies that administer the National School Lunch

Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) are eligible to apply.

Recorded Informational Webinar: View Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov: Apply

Team Nutrition Training Grants: View

State Agency Contacts: View

Contents

Eligibility and Application Process Grant Requirements & Documentation

Sub-Grants & Partnerships

Budget & Program Activities

Grant Materials & Branding Performance Measures & Objectives

Meetings & Convenings

Miscellaneous https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fna.usda.gov%2Fgrants%2Ftn%2Ftraining-fy26&data=05%7C02%7CJonathan.Delp%40usda.gov%7C3222ee50f7ca4a53872c08ded7ad5fee%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C1%7C0%7C639185336848511330%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=kHySYP9gqxfGiOds%2BFIP4LB%2B3PFa0esNJWN38VENWXs%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fna.usda.gov%2Fgrants%2Ftn%2Ftraining-fy26&data=05%7C02%7CJonathan.Delp%40usda.gov%7C3222ee50f7ca4a53872c08ded7ad5fee%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C1%7C0%7C639185336848511330%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=kHySYP9gqxfGiOds%2BFIP4LB%2B3PFa0esNJWN38VENWXs%3D&reserved=0 https://www.fna.usda.gov/tn/training-grants/webinar-2026 https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/363026 https://www.fna.usda.gov/tn/training-grants https://www.fna.usda.gov/contacts

Updated July 14, 2026

Eligibility and Application Process

Q: Who can apply for the FY 2026 Team Nutrition Training Grant: Growing Healthier

Futures?

A: Only State agencies that administer the NSLP, SBP, SFSP, and CACFP are eligible to apply.

Applicants can search for their State agency contact on the FNA website. Individual program operators, sponsors, or private schools cannot apply directly, but may benefit as sub-grantees, if their State agency applies and is awarded.

Q: Are charter schools eligible to apply directly for the grant?

A: No, charter schools are not eligible to apply directly. Only State agencies that administer the NSLP, SBP, SFSP, and CACFP can apply. FNA recommends all school food authorities (SFAs) contact their respective State agency to inquire about involvement.

Q: How do I apply for the grant?

A: Applicants are required to apply on Grants.gov.

Q: How do I know if my application was successfully submitted?

A: After submitting on Grants.gov, the applicant should receive an email confirmation. If the apply button is grayed out, the applicant’s profile may be incomplete. FNA recommends contacting the Grants.gov help desk for further assistance. See Section 6.2 Preparing for

Electronic Application Submission (Page 32) for more information.

Q: The Informational Webinar mentioned two (2) opportunities for bonus points, but the

RFA mentions only one (1). Please clarify.

A: Applicants only have one (1) opportunity to receive bonus points. Applicants may receive ten (10) bonus points for partnering with another State agency that administers the NSLP, SBP, SFSP, and the CACFP. See Section 4.4 State Partnership Letter (Page 27) for more information.

Q: My organization hosts charter schools under the NSLP and Head Start sites under the

CACFP, can the grant be used for both programs?

A: Applicants must select only one (1) grant objective. Objective #1 focuses on School Meals

Programs, and Objective #2 focuses on the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Applications proposing activities under multiple objectives will NOT be considered.

Grant Requirements & Documentation

Q: Is the Project Director required to sign documentation, and what if the person listed in Box 21 of SF424 is not the Project Director?

A: The Superintendent or State Director typically signs, not the Project Director. For this year, the Superintendent can sign while the Project Director remains in their role.

https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/363026 https://sam.gov/help

Q: Are letters of commitment required from the Project Director, their supervisor, and Team Nutrition Coordinator? Is there a template?

A: Yes, letters of commitment are required. There is no strict template; FNA recommends using State agency formal letterhead and ensure all relevant parties are aware and committed.

Q: Are resumes required for all staff funded by the grant? Is there a limit?

A: Applicants must submit resumes for all staff receiving any portion of full-time equivalent (FTE) from the grant. There is no limit; match the number of resumes to the number of proposed individuals.

Q: Is it allowable to allot the Team Nutrition Coordinator position with less than 1.0 FTE?

A: The Team Nutrition Coordinator position does not need to be allotted as a single FTE (1.0

FTE) by one individual. Instead, the coordinator role can be assigned to less than 1.0 FTE, provided that the total FTE for the position, whether distributed among multiple staff members or held by a single person, ultimately equals 1.0 FTE.

Q: What if the (Team Nutrition Coordinator) position is not filled yet? Can we submit a job description?

A: Yes, applicants must submit the job description outlining duties and suitability for their role.

Sub-Grants & Partnerships

Q: Can State agencies sub-grant to universities or organizations that are not land-grant universities?

A: Yes, State agencies may issue sub-grants to universities and organizations with relevant expertise. As referenced in Section 2.2 Sub-grant Funding (Page 15), “nonprofit organizations with expertise in culinary training, school meals service, or other relevant areas.”

Q: What is required to issue sub-grants? Is a competitive sub-granting process required?

A: A competitive sub-granting process is not required but recommended as best practice.

Applicants should ensure their process and evaluation methods are clearly described in their application.

Q: Can the Project Director or Team Nutrition Coordinator be employed at an organization other than the State agency?

A: Yes, this can be accomplished through a sub-grantee arrangement.

Q: Can the Project Director responsibilities (0.25 FTE) be shared among multiple staff members at the awarded State agency, for example, the Project Director and the Project

Director's Supervisors? Each person has different expertise in overseeing grant activities, providing fiscal oversight, and exercising effective internal control of funds.

A: Yes, the Project Director responsibilities could be shared across multiple staff members. As a reminder, per Section 4.2.5 Project Management, Key Personnel, and Quality Assurance

(Page 25), the Project Director must at least encompass 0.25 FTE staff position, separate from the Team Nutrition Coordinator.

Q: Can the State agency partner be the same as in a previous grant?

A: Yes, applicants may partner with previous State partners. See Section 4.4 State Partnership

Letter (Page 27) for more information.

Q: Can funds be utilized to contract with a project management company to help build out an already established Learning Management System to help improve training offered to School Nutrition Professionals across the state?

A: Yes, grant funds may be used for this purpose, typically through sub-grants. See Section 2.5

Allowable Costs, Technology/Software (Page 18) for more information.

Q: Can funds be utilized to hire contract workers to help with revamping training materials and providing training support to State agency staff providing training to

SFAs?

A: Yes, grant funds may be used for this purpose, typically through sub-grants See Section 2.5 Allowable Costs, Allowable Cost for Sub-grants (Page 19) for more information.

Q: What are your expectations for sub-grantees (non-profit organizations) if providing culinary training to SFAs? As in, what type of documentation is needed for use of funds?

A: Per Section 2.2 Sub-grant Funding (Page 15), all potential sub-grants must be described in the 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. Grantees have full autonomy on how to track and manage grant funds.

Q: Are State agencies encouraged to partner with CACFP sponsors and family child care networks? What makes partnerships competitive?

A: Yes, applicants are encouraged to form relevant partnerships. Generally speaking, look for partnerships that are actively providing education/training, can leverage expansive community networks, and are not found on the USDA’s National Disqualified List.

Q: Are existing CACFP sponsoring organizations ideal implementation partners?

A: Yes, but applicants should be mindful of duplication of funds or efforts. Applicants should clearly document roles and leverage existing networks creatively.

Q: Is partnering with another State agency within the same State eligible for bonus points?

A: No, bonus points are awarded to applicants that partner with another State, and its respective State agency (e.g., Alabama Department of Education and Mississippi Department of Education or California Department of Education and Oregon Department of Education).

Geographical proximity is not required. See Section 4.4 State Partnership Letter (Page 27) for more information.

Q: Should we submit a partnership letter for departments that don’t directly oversee child nutrition programs?

A: Applicants should form partnerships with State agencies that administer Child Nutrition

Programs. However, if an applicant decides to partner with an adjacent department (e.g., Department of Agriculture), it is encouraged to submit a partnership letter. Applicants should clearly provide justification and rationale as found in Section 4.4 State Partnership Letter

(Page 27) for more information.

Q: Will partnering with a department that doesn’t oversee Child Nutrition Programs affect scoring?

A: Applicants will be awarded bonus points based on the strength and justification of the partnership. Applicants that demonstrate a strong rationale can improve their score, even if the partner does not directly oversee Child Nutrition Programs.

Q: If two (2) States partner and are awarded the grant, is the funding split or pooled?

A: If awarded, the lead applicant will receive all funds as a single pot of money. The budget narrative should outline how funds are distributed among partners.

Q: Can States that are current recipients of previous grants be eligible partners for FY26 applications?

A: Yes, applicants that have previously partnered with States, on prior Team Nutrition Training Grant, can apply for FY26 as a separate project. Applicants are required to keep financial and budget allocations separate.

Q: Can our respective State Department of Health be a sub-grantee for project initiatives?

A: Yes, applicants should clearly define roles and rationale in the narrative forms of the application, including the budget narrative

Q: Does “partnering with another State agency” mean a separate State or another agency within the same State?

A: Applicants partnering with another State agency refers specifically to collaboration between agencies in two (2) different States, rather than agencies within the same State (e.g., Alabama Department of Education and Mississippi Department of Education or California

Department of Education and Oregon Department of Education). The intention behind this approach is to promote interstate collaboration and broaden the impact and reach of the grant.

Budget & Program Activities

Q: How would you recommend we handle the budget narrative if most funds go to a university?

A: The State agency is the lead applicant. Funds for partners are listed under contractual or other categories. Applicants are expected to provide a detailed breakdown in the budget narrative.

Q: Is there a page limit for the budget file in PDF format?

A: There is no page limit. Applicants must ensure all content is readable when converting from Excel to PDF.

Q: Can States choose which budget file format to use (Word or Excel)?

A: Yes, applicants are encouraged to use whichever format is preferred. Both are acceptable.

Q: Can a school add teacher training courses or nutrition programs as part of the grant?

A: Applicants may include such activities in their grant application. Individual schools should coordinate with their State agency to be included.

Q: Can States choose which Budget file to use? The RFA provides two (2): Appendix B in

Excel and Word?

A: Applicants may select the format they prefer. Some applicants find the functionality of a spreadsheet more useful; if elected, just make sure that cell content does not get cut off when you convert to PDF.

Q: If using the spreadsheet budget file, is the font size limited to no smaller than 11 or

12?

A: Applicants may use either 11-point or 12-point font, both are acceptable.

Q: Is it required that the Team Nutrition (TN) coordinator be a 1.0 FTE every year of the grant?

A: Yes, applicants are required to allot 1.0 FTE to the Team Nutrition Coordinator role. See Section 4.2.5 Project Management, Key Personnel, and Quality Assurance (Page 25) for more information.

Grant Materials & Branding

Q: Are State agency branding elements (logos, messages from officials) permitted on grant-funded materials?

A: Yes, applicants may include State agency branding as long as the required USDA acknowledgement statement is included.

Q: Is the USDA logo required or is the funding acknowledgement language sufficient?

A: The USDA funding acknowledgement statement is sufficient.

Performance Measures & Objectives

Q: For Objective #2, must applicants address all mandatory bullets for each performance measure?

A: Yes, applicants must address the four (4) mandatory bullets for each sub-element.

Additional/Optional bullets can be selected as appropriate.

Q: How should training cost per participant be calculated?

A: Applicants are encouraged to use market research or previous experience to inform your calculation. Provide a clear rationale in your budget; no strict method is required.

Q: For the required four (4) mandatory performance measures, this means we select four bullets from the “Mandatory” columns or are each of the bullet points mandatory to address?

A: Using Objective #2 as an example, starting on Page 60 of the RFA, the four (4) Mandatory

Indicators are provided and required. Starting on Page 61 through 62, the additional measures for that sub-element are outlined. Applicants must select two (2) of those, at their discretion, to meet the six (6) total that are required. Please reference Section 4.2.3

Evaluation Plan (Page 24) for more information.

Q: Grant Objective #1 states that “proposals must focus on all three (3) School Meals

Programs: NSLP, SBP and SFSP.” Not all SFSP sponsors are school food authorities

(SFAs). Please clarify whether grant activities for Objective #1 are limited to SFAs that operate SFSP or if grant activities may also be open to community organizations that operate SFSP.

A: Applicants that select activities for Objective #1 are not limited solely to SFAs. All community organizations that operate the SFSP are eligible to participate in these grant activities. Applicants have the flexibility to collaborate with institutions and community organizations that are best suited to support their project objectives. This approach allows for broader engagement and ensures that a range of organizations can contribute to the success of grant-funded initiatives.

Q: The project work plan form does not allow typing values for “Other Indicator Type.”

How should this be handled?

A: Applicants can type in the box by using your cursor, though navigation may be tricky.

Please note, formatting issues will not affect scoring; content is the priority.

Q: Is it allowable for more than two (2) activities to be added under each sub-objective in

Appendix A?

A: Yes, applicants are encouraged to add lines and provide more information as needed.

Q: Is it required to measure six (6) performance measures for each activity or for each sub-element?

A: Applicants are required to track four (4) mandatory and two (2) optional performance measures for each sub-element. The applicant is afforded the autonomy to assign program activities to those respective measures, meaning one (1) activity can measure all six (6) measures, or each measure can be assigned an individual activity.

Meetings & Convenings

Q: Where should we plan travel for the required in-person meeting?

A: Applicants should plan for travel to the Washington, D.C. area. Please note, this cost may be higher compared to other travel expenses, considering the cost of living in the National Capital Region. Any changes will be communicated in advance. Team Nutrition Training Grant funds may be used for travel-related expenses.

Q: How many days should we plan for the annual in-person convening?

A: Applicants should expect the annual in-person meeting to last two (2) to three (3) days, plus travel days. Team Nutrition Training Grant funds may be used for travel-related expenses.

Q: Can you explain the monthly check-ins with USDA (Page 30) and how those differ from the FY 26-29 quarterly collaboration calls with USDA?

A: The "monthly check-ins" language is meant to imply as needed or requested. FNA doesn't require additional check-ins beyond our quarterly Collaboration Calls, unless requested by the grantee.

Miscellaneous

Q: Where can I find State agency contacts?

A: Applicants may identify their State agency on the FNA contacts webpage.

Q: Where can I find a list of former Team Nutrition grantees in Illinois (IL)?

A: Applicants are encouraged to visit the Team Nutrition Training Grants page for more information.

https://www.fna.usda.gov/tn/training-grants