Additional Eligibility Information
Eligibility RequirementsApplicants for the Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program must meet all the requirements in this RFA. Community Foods Projects Program and Planning Projects Eligibility. Types of Institutions/organization eligible to applyEligibility is limited to public food program service providers, tribal organizations, or private nonprofit entities, including gleaners (see Definition in Appendix III of this RFA) who also meet the following four requirements: 1. Have experience in the area of: a. Community food work, particularly concerning small and medium-size farms, including the provision of food to people in low-income communities and the development of new markets in low-income communities for agricultural producers;b. Job training and business development activities for food-related activities in low income low-income communities; andc. Efforts to reduce food insecurity in the low income community, including food distribution, improving access to services, or coordinating services and programs.2. Demonstrate competency to implement a project and provide fiscal accountability. a. Fiscal Agent. A Fiscal agent is an organization managing financial responsibilities on behalf of applicant. If an institution/organization cannot accept Federal funds directly, a letter must be included in the application stating that in the event the application results in an award, the award funds must be administered through a fiscal agent on their behalf. This agent must be identified in the letter from the applicant and the letter must be countersigned by an authorized representative of the fiscal agent organization. The letter should include the fiscal agent’s point of contact, address, telephone number, fax number and e-mail address. This letter is to be included as an attachment to Field 12, Other Attachments (see Part IV § B of this RFA). In the event an application is recommended for funding, NIFA will request that both the applicant or institution/organization and the fiscal agent organization submit complete management information (see Part V § C of this RFA).3. Data collection and preparation of reports and other necessary documentation. A Data Management Plan (DMP)is required for this program. a. Handling of baseline data and data collection will be addressed in the Data Management Plan. Applicants should clearly articulate how the project director (PD) and co-PDs plan to manage and disseminate the data generated by the project. The DMP will be considered during the merit review process (see Part V § B of this RFA, Part III § 3.1 of the Application Guide and NIFA’s Data Management Plan).b. Applicants are to demonstrate a willingness to share information with researchers, evaluators, practitioners, and other interested parties, and include a plan for dissemination of results through a well written DMP.4. Collaboration with one or more local partner organizations to achieve at least one of the hunger-free communities’ goal. (See Steps for a Hunger-Free Community). a. Partners and Collaborators: Applicants for Community Foods Projects Program and Planning Projects awards are encouraged to seek and create partnerships with public or private, nonprofit or for-profit entities, including links with academic institutions (including minority-serving colleges and universities), and/or other appropriate professionals, community-based organizations, and local government entities. b. Only the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements. Project partners and collaborators need not meet the eligibility requirements. When planning collaborations, see Part III § B of this RFA. c. Award recipients may sub-award to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the successful completion of the project. See Part IV § C of this RFA.Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline will result in exclusion from consideration