The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) invites applications for the Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program (SLSNCGP) for fiscal year (FY) 2026. This program supports innovative, education-based Extension approaches to strengthen disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation for food and agricultural systems and the communities they serve.
SLSNCGP aims to enhance community resilience and quality of life by addressing risks from natural, human-made, and technological disasters. Projects should deliver timely, science-based educational resources and programs for end-users and stakeholders, with strong potential for scalability, replicability, and broader regional adoption.
Program Priorities
SLSNCGP supports Extension initiatives that address disaster risks through education and community engagement. Competitive proposals should build preparedness and response capacity, foster cross-sector partnerships, deliver stakeholder-informed solutions, and develop scalable resources, Applicants are encouraged to leverage existing web-based materials, including those available through the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN).
Projects must focus on disasters, address at least one Topical Area, and use at least one Strategy.
Eligible Topical Areas (select at least one)
- Agriculture: Crop and livestock production, agribusiness management, farm safety, and biosecurity
- Natural Resources: Water, forestry, rangeland, wildlife, waste management, and energy
- Community and Economic Development: Workforce development, small business support, housing, broadband, and rural vitality
- Family and Consumer Sciences: Nutrition, food safety, health and wellness, financial literacy, and family well-being
- 4-H and Youth Development: Youth engagement, STEM education, leadership, and career exploration
Required Strategies (use at least one)
- Program and Resource Development: Workshops, curricula, field days, and educational materials
- Exercise and Training: Simulations, tabletop exercises, train-the-trainer programs, and technical assistance
- Communications: Innovative outreach methods, digital tools, and emerging technologies (e.g., AI)
- Disaster Planning: Needs assessments, all-hazards planning, and evaluation
- Professional Development and Capacity Building: Training for Extension professionals and partners, leadership development, and organizational strengthening
Key Details
- Deadline: June 1st, 2026, 2:00 PM PST
- Award Duration: 12–36 months
- Award Range: $20,000 - $115,000
- Matching Requirement: 100% required (no in-kind or third-party match allowed)
- Please note that SLSNCGP is one of the first programs in NIFA's Grants Modernization Initiative (GMI) and will follow slightly different submission procedures than prior USDA NIFA proposals.
Visit the SLSNCGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for full program details, eligibility requirements, and application instructions.