Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program

The Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program (SLSNCGP), administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, supports educational programs that enhance disaster preparedness and response capacities within communities. This program operates under Assistance Listing 10.511, which refers to Smith-Lever Extension Funding, a long-standing federal initiative designed to advance agricultural education and community resilience through the land-grant university system. The program is part of the broader Smith-Lever Act mission, emphasizing applied research, outreach, and extension services to benefit the public. The primary objective of the SLSNCGP is to foster innovative, education-based approaches that address potential threats posed by natural, human-made, or technological disasters. Projects funded through this program are expected to prepare communities to better respond to these risks, promoting resilience through strategic educational initiatives. Funded activities might include curriculum development, extension services targeting vulnerable populations, or collaborative initiatives between institutions to broaden preparedness strategies. The goal is to translate academic knowledge into practical solutions that can be readily adopted by communities at risk. The program exclusively supports applications from 1862 Land-grant Institutions located within the 50 U.S. states and territories, including Guam, American Samoa, Micronesia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Eligible applicants can include individual institutions, independent branch campuses, or distinct branches of state systems. These institutions may execute projects independently or in collaboration with other land-grant or non-land-grant institutions, NGOs, or community organizations within their state or region. Subcontracting is allowed with non-eligible partners if essential for executing the proposed project, although the lead institution must retain primary responsibility. The total available funding for this cycle is $459,564, with an anticipated five awards to be distributed. Individual awards will range between $20,000 and $115,000. A cost-sharing or matching component is required; however, the precise match ratio is not specified within the provided material and would need confirmation during application preparation. Applications must be submitted by June 1, 2026, and there is no mention of rolling deadlines or gating stages such as letters of intent or concept papers. Projects are to be managed and executed primarily by personnel from the applicant institution. Applicants must submit their proposals through the Grants.gov portal, ensuring they meet all eligibility requirements and comply with the outlined funding parameters. Questions related to preparing application materials can be directed to the designated email contact: [email protected]. The program page for additional information is hosted on the official NIFA website. The grant does not indicate a multi-phase or recurring structure, suggesting it is a single-cycle opportunity for 2026. There are no references to pre-application steps or future expected deadlines. All applications must be submitted electronically by the closing date, and awards will likely follow after the review and selection period. Institutions intending to apply are encouraged to begin preparations well ahead of the deadline to ensure compliance with eligibility and technical requirements.