Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network

The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) Competitive Grants Program is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the United States Department of Agriculture. The program is authorized under federal legislation to establish and support a coordinated network that provides stress assistance to individuals engaged in agriculture, including farmers, ranchers, fishers, agricultural workers, and non industrial private forest owners. The initiative responds to well documented risks in agricultural occupations, where individuals face heightened exposure to financial uncertainty, environmental volatility, and physical hazards, all of which contribute to elevated stress and behavioral health challenges. The primary purpose of the program is to connect agricultural communities with resources that address stress, mental health concerns, and suicide risk. The program funds two main project types: Regional Centers and a National Farmer Distress Helpline. Regional Centers are designed to build multi state collaborative networks that deliver training, outreach, and support services, while the helpline provides immediate crisis intervention through a nationwide 24 hour service. Both components emphasize improving behavioral health awareness, facilitating access to services, and strengthening local and regional support systems. Funding for the program in this cycle totals approximately 9583300 dollars, with awards structured as four year continuation grants. Regional Centers are expected to receive awards within a defined range, and the program anticipates funding four such centers nationwide. In addition, a separate award supports the national helpline. Funds may be used for training programs, outreach efforts, partnership development, resource mapping, and coordination activities. However, specific restrictions apply, such as prohibiting Regional Centers from using funds to operate independent crisis lines, which are centralized under the national helpline component. Eligibility for the program is broad but structured. Applicants may include state departments of agriculture, cooperative extension services, nonprofit organizations, tribal entities, and partnerships composed of multiple eligible organizations. Regional Center applications must be submitted by a network consisting of at least three collaborating entities with demonstrated experience in agricultural stress assistance. Applicants are expected to show prior expertise in behavioral health support, agricultural outreach, or related services, and must demonstrate the capacity to manage multi partner collaborations. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and adherence to detailed federal application guidelines. Applicants must prepare a comprehensive project narrative, budget justification, data management plan, and supporting documentation including letters of commitment from partners. Evaluation criteria include technical merit, relevance to program goals, strength of partnerships, feasibility of the approach, and organizational capacity. Applications undergo both administrative screening and peer review before funding decisions are made. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is August 10, 2026 at 5 PM Eastern Time, with projects expected to begin no later than September 30, 2026. Awards are issued as continuation grants, contingent on performance and availability of funds for subsequent years. The program is not described as recurring on a fixed annual cycle, but continuation funding may extend projects for up to four years. Applicants may contact the program via designated USDA email addresses for technical or administrative assistance throughout the application process.

Focus on strong multi partner collaboration, clearly defined measurable outcomes, and alignment with USDA agricultural priorities; ensure demonstrated prior experience in agricultural stress assistance