Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program

The Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program (SLSNCGP) is a funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The program seeks to support innovative, education-based approaches that address disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation in food and agricultural systems. Eligible applicants are 1862 Land-grant Institutions, and proposals must address at least one of the specified Topical Areas and Strategies outlined in the Request for Applications (RFA). Evaluation criteria will consider the project's potential impact, the applicant's capacity, and the project's methodology and evaluation plan. The application deadline is February 13, 2025.

The SLSNCGP anticipates awarding a total of $459,000, with individual grants ranging from $20,000 to $115,000 for Standard Grants and $10,000 to $30,000 for Planning Grants. The anticipated places of performance include states and territories across the United States, supported by the nationwide Cooperative Extension System network.