Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA FINI 009749
The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) Produce Prescription Program is a U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) competitive grant opportunity that funds projects designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among income-eligible consumers through two main approaches: (1) financial incentives that make fruits and vegetables more affordable at the point of purchase, and (2) "produce prescriptions" that connect healthcare and nutrition support by enabling participants to receive prescribed fresh fruits and vegetables as part of efforts to improve diet-related health outcomes. The program is rooted in the idea that improving access to healthy food is both a nutrition strategy and a preventive health strategy, especially for households facing economic barriers to purchasing fresh produce.
This opportunity is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 7517 and was established and expanded through the 2018 Farm Bill, which permits the Secretary of Agriculture to support projects that not only deliver these incentives and prescriptions, but also evaluate how well they work. The broader GusNIP initiative is structured to bring together partners across food and healthcare systems such as retailers, farmers and food supply stakeholders, healthcare providers, community organizations, and researchers so that programs are practical to implement and measurable in impact. A major emphasis is learning what works in different settings, collecting and aggregating data across projects, and using that evidence to identify best practices that can be replicated or scaled, particularly in communities and geographic areas that have been historically underrepresented.
The grant is categorized as mandatory funding and uses a grant funding instrument under the Agriculture activity category (CFDA 10.331). For the fiscal years 2019 through 2023, GusNIP funding was designed to grow over time, increasing from $45 million to $56 million across a five-year period. While GusNIP includes three competitive grant programs overall, this specific opportunity is focused on the Produce Prescription component, which centers on interventions that intentionally connect eligible participants to increased fruit and vegetable intake through structured prescription models and related incentive mechanisms.
Key administrative details for this funding opportunity include the title "The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program Produce Prescription Program" and the opportunity number USDA NIFA FINI 009749. The opportunity was posted on February 14, 2023, with an original application deadline of May 16, 2023. The anticipated maximum award size (award ceiling) is $500,000, and USDA NIFA expected to make approximately 10 awards under this notice. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with clarification provided in the official eligibility section of the full announcement, indicating that applicants should carefully review that portion of the notice to confirm organizational fit before applying.
Overall, the purpose of the opportunity is to support on-the-ground, evidence-informed projects that make fruits and vegetables more attainable for income-eligible households, while strengthening coordination between nutrition access efforts and healthcare partners. At the same time, it aims to generate credible evaluation results and shared data that can guide future program design, improve effectiveness across diverse communities, and contribute to broader national learning about how produce incentives and produce prescriptions can improve nutrition and health outcomes.Apply for USDA NIFA FINI 009749
- The Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program Produce Prescription Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.331.
- This funding opportunity was created on Feb 14, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 16, 2023. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) Produce Prescription Program?
The GusNIP Produce Prescription Program is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) competitive grant opportunity that funds projects designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among income-eligible consumers. It supports models that make produce easier to access and more affordable and connects nutrition support with healthcare-based approaches.
Which federal agency administers this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA).
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to support on-the-ground, evidence-informed projects that increase fruit and vegetable intake among income-eligible households while strengthening coordination between nutrition access efforts and healthcare partners. The program also emphasizes generating credible evaluation results and shared data to inform best practices and future program design.
What approaches does GusNIP fund to increase fruit and vegetable consumption?
GusNIP supports two main approaches: (1) financial incentives that make fruits and vegetables more affordable at the point of purchase, and (2) produce prescriptions that connect healthcare and nutrition support by enabling participants to receive prescribed fresh fruits and vegetables as part of diet-related health improvement efforts.
What does a "produce prescription" mean in this program context?
In this program, a produce prescription is a structured model that intentionally connects eligible participants to increased fruit and vegetable intake through prescription-style interventions, often involving healthcare partners and related incentive mechanisms that help participants obtain fresh produce.
Is this opportunity focused on incentives, produce prescriptions, or both?
This specific opportunity is focused on the Produce Prescription component of GusNIP, centered on structured prescription models and related incentive mechanisms that increase fruit and vegetable intake among eligible participants.
Why does the program emphasize healthcare partnerships?
The program is rooted in the idea that improving access to healthy food is both a nutrition strategy and a preventive health strategy. Produce prescription models are designed to connect healthcare and nutrition support to improve diet-related health outcomes.
Does the program require evaluation or data collection?
Yes. The opportunity is designed to support projects that can evaluate how well interventions work. A major emphasis is learning what works in different settings, collecting and aggregating data across projects, and using evidence to identify best practices that can be replicated or scaled.
What kinds of partners are typically involved in GusNIP projects?
GusNIP is structured to bring together partners across food and healthcare systems. Examples mentioned include retailers, farmers and food supply stakeholders, healthcare providers, community organizations, and researchers.
Is there an emphasis on serving specific communities or geographic areas?
Yes. The program highlights a goal of identifying best practices that can be replicated or scaled, particularly in communities and geographic areas that have been historically underrepresented.
What is the legal authority for this grant program?
This opportunity is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 7517 and was established and expanded through the 2018 Farm Bill.
What is the program classification or CFDA number?
The opportunity is listed under the Agriculture activity category and references CFDA 10.331.
Is this grant considered discretionary or mandatory funding?
The grant is categorized as mandatory funding.
What is the official title of the funding opportunity?
The title is "The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program Produce Prescription Program."
What is the opportunity number for this notice?
The opportunity number is USDA NIFA FINI 009749.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on February 14, 2023.
What was the application deadline listed for this opportunity?
The original application deadline was May 16, 2023.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The anticipated maximum award size (award ceiling) is $500,000.
How many awards did USDA NIFA expect to make under this notice?
USDA NIFA expected to make approximately 10 awards under this notice.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others." The notice indicates that additional clarification is provided in the official eligibility section of the full announcement, and applicants should carefully review that portion to confirm organizational fit before applying.
How does this opportunity fit within the broader GusNIP initiative?
GusNIP includes three competitive grant programs overall. This particular opportunity targets the Produce Prescription component, while the broader initiative focuses on building practical, measurable programs and advancing national learning through shared data and evaluation.
What outcomes is this program aiming to improve?
The program aims to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among income-eligible consumers and improve diet-related health outcomes through improved access to fresh produce and stronger coordination between healthcare and nutrition support systems.
Why is point-of-purchase affordability mentioned as a strategy?
Financial incentives at the point of purchase are described as a key mechanism to make fruits and vegetables more affordable for income-eligible consumers, addressing economic barriers to purchasing fresh produce.
Does the opportunity mention scaling or replication of projects?
Yes. A major emphasis is on using evidence and aggregated data to identify best practices that can be replicated or scaled, especially in historically underrepresented communities and geographic areas.
What is known about GusNIP funding levels over time?
For fiscal years 2019 through 2023, GusNIP funding was designed to grow over time, increasing from $45 million to $56 million across a five-year period.
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