Funder: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - USDA
Due Dates: March 10, 2025 (11:59 pm ET)
Funding Amounts: Total funding approx. $2.5 million; individual awards range from $100,000 to $250,000 for projects up to 24 months
Summary: Supports planning and implementation projects to develop urban agriculture and innovative production practices that improve access to fresh foods in underserved areas.
Key Information: Estimated project start date is September 30, 2025; applicants must submit via Grants.gov; a pre-recorded webinar is available for guidance.
Description
The Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) Competitive Grants Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), aims to support the development and expansion of urban agriculture and innovative agricultural production methods. This program funds projects that either plan or implement activities to improve access to fresh foods in urban areas, especially where fresh food is limited or unavailable.
Eligible projects include:
- Planning activities that initiate or support efforts by farmers, gardeners, community members, government officials, schools, tribal communities, and other stakeholders.
- Implementation activities that accelerate existing or emerging urban and innovative agricultural models serving multiple farmers or gardeners.
Innovation can encompass new, emerging, indigenous, or non-traditional agricultural practices.
The program encourages projects that serve multiple stakeholders and address food access challenges in urban environments.
Due Dates
- Application Deadline: March 10, 2025, by 11:59 pm Eastern Time (submit via Grants.gov)
- Anticipated Award Selections: By July 1, 2025 (estimated)
- Expected Project Start Date: September 30, 2025 (estimated)
Funding Amount
- Total federal funding available: Approximately $2,500,000 (subject to appropriations)
- Individual awards: Typically range from $100,000 to $250,000
- Project duration: Up to 24 months (2 years)
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education)
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by the deadline.
- A pre-recorded informational webinar is available to assist applicants: UAIP Webinar on YouTube
- Applicants are encouraged to review the program’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) and related documents on Grants.gov.
- Questions about the application process or eligibility should be directed to the FPAC Business Center Grants and Agreements Division (GAD) via email at Jose.Berna@usda.gov with a copy to NFO.FPAC@USDA.GOV. Do not contact program staff directly.
- Grants.gov Applicant Support is available at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov for technical assistance.
Additional Information
- Funding availability is subject to federal appropriations and may be adjusted.
- The NRCS recommends applicants complete free Grants 101 training available at https://www.cfo.gov/coffa/training-coffa/, which covers laws, regulations, administrative requirements, cost principles, and risk management.
- Subscribe to updates from the FPAC Business Center at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAFARMERS/subscriber/new?topic_id=USDAFARMERS_4170 for award management and policy announcements.
External Links
Contact Information