Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FASLP)

The Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FASLP) is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The program is authorized under federal legislation aimed at strengthening agricultural education, food systems, and community engagement. This funding opportunity supports projects that enhance knowledge of agriculture while improving the nutritional health of children, particularly through school-based and community-integrated initiatives. The agency emphasizes alignment with national priorities such as improving food quality, strengthening domestic agricultural markets, and preparing future agricultural leaders. The primary purpose of the program is to expand and strengthen food and nutrition education in schools and communities. Projects are expected to build upon existing farm-to-school efforts or introduce new experiential learning opportunities that connect students with agricultural systems. The program encourages activities such as increasing access to healthy local foods in school meal programs, developing curriculum and leadership training, supporting producer participation in school food systems, and fostering partnerships between schools and agricultural stakeholders. Emphasis is placed on experiential learning, leadership development, and community engagement that connects students to real-world agricultural practices. Funding under this program is provided through standard grants with a maximum duration of 24 months. The total available funding for the current cycle is approximately $930,539, with individual awards ranging up to $230,000. While there is no required cost share or matching requirement, applicants are encouraged to leverage additional resources where possible. Funds may be used for program implementation, training, curriculum development, evaluation activities, and other project-related costs, subject to federal guidelines including a cap on indirect costs not exceeding 30 percent of total federal funds awarded. Eligibility for the program is broad and includes individuals as well as a wide range of organizations such as universities, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, private corporations, federal agencies, and collaborative groups. Applicants must demonstrate experience in community food systems, food security efforts, and educational programming, along with the ability to manage projects, evaluate outcomes, and maintain fiscal accountability. Strong community partnerships, particularly with schools and agricultural producers, are required, and applicants must provide letters of support demonstrating engagement and collaboration. The application process requires electronic submission through Grants.gov and involves multiple preparatory steps including registration in federal systems such as SAM and eRA Commons. Applications must include a detailed project narrative, logic model, data management plan, evaluation strategy, and supporting documentation such as letters of support. The narrative must address community needs, project goals, implementation strategies, evaluation plans, and long-term sustainability. Applicants are also required to demonstrate how their projects align with program priorities and federal agricultural goals. Applications are evaluated through a two-step process involving administrative screening followed by peer review. Review criteria include merit, relevance, expertise, viability, and evaluation strength, each scored equally. Projects must demonstrate clear outcomes, measurable impacts, and the ability to become self-sustaining beyond the grant period. Awards are made based on overall merit and available funding, and applicants may receive feedback following the review process. The application deadline for the current funding cycle is July 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time, with no letter of intent required. Projects are expected to begin within the federal fiscal year and continue for up to two years. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle, and applicants can expect similar timelines in future years. Questions regarding the program can be directed to the agency via designated email contacts, and applicants are encouraged to engage with available support resources throughout the application process.

Align project with farm-to-school initiatives; demonstrate strong partnerships; include measurable outcomes and evaluation plan; ensure community engagement