Children, Youth and Families At-Risk Sustainable Community Projects | USDA NIFA SLBCD 009744

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 009744

The Children, Youth and Families At-Risk Sustainable Community Projects (CYFAR SCP) grant is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). It is designed to strengthen and expand community-based programs that serve at-risk children, youth, and families, with the Cooperative Extension System serving as the backbone for planning, delivery, and long-term support. The central idea is not simply to fund isolated services, but to improve both the quality and the reach of comprehensive, locally grounded efforts that address real-life challenges facing families and young people in vulnerable situations.

A defining feature of this program is its emphasis on collaboration and a whole-person, whole-family approach. Projects are expected to bring together partners across disciplines, Extension program areas, and even geographic lines when appropriate, rather than operating in silos. The opportunity stresses a holistic framework that looks at individuals in the context of their family and community environment, which signals that successful applications typically connect multiple supports (education, youth development, family resilience, community resources, and related services) into a coordinated strategy rather than a single standalone intervention.

Eligibility is narrow and specific. Applications are only accepted from Cooperative Extension programs at 1862, 1890, and 1994 Land-grant Institutions, including explicitly referenced institutions such as Tuskegee University, Central State University, West Virginia University, and the University of the District of Columbia, consistent with the legislative authority cited in the program materials. In practical terms, that means community organizations, nonprofits, school districts, and local governments cannot apply directly as the lead applicant; they generally need to partner with an eligible Land-grant university Extension program if they want to be involved.

The funding structure also limits submissions and awards at the institutional level. No more than one award will be made per Land-grant Institution, which makes internal coordination important if multiple departments or Extension units want to pursue the opportunity. At the same time, current CYFAR SCP grantees are not automatically excluded from applying again; they may submit an application for an additional new project. However, if the proposed work would continue in the same community site as an existing or prior effort, the applicant must provide a clear justification for why using the same site is appropriate and how the proposed project is meaningfully new or expanded rather than duplicative.

While only eligible institutions can serve as the applicant and award recipient, the program allows subcontracts to organizations that are not themselves eligible to apply, as long as those partners are necessary to carry out the project. This matters because many on-the-ground services for at-risk populations are delivered by local nonprofits, community-based organizations, schools, and municipal agencies. The grant structure supports that reality by letting the Extension-led project formally partner with specialized organizations through subawards or contracts to deliver key activities, provide expertise, or reach target populations.

From the published opportunity details, the funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA SLBCD 009744, and it is listed under CFDA 10.521, with the funding activity category noted as Agriculture, reflecting USDA's broader portfolio that includes community development and Extension-based education in addition to traditional farming-related programs. The award ceiling is $160,000, and the original closing date for the referenced cycle was March 21, 2023, with the opportunity created on February 1, 2023. Overall, CYFAR SCP is aimed at Extension-led, partnership-driven community projects that can demonstrate coordinated programming for at-risk children, youth, and families and that align with a sustainable, community-based model rather than short-term, fragmented services.

• The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Children, Youth and Families At-Risk Sustainable Community Projects" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.521.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-02-01.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-03-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $160,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 009744

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