Maternal Produce Prescription Program (MP3)

The Maternal Produce Prescription Program (MP3) is a federal funding opportunity administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), specifically through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program is designed to improve maternal and family health outcomes by addressing nutrition insecurity through innovative, community-based interventions. HRSA’s broader mission emphasizes improving access to care for underserved populations, and MP3 aligns with this mission by targeting pregnant and postpartum women in low-income and underserved communities. The primary purpose of the MP3 program is to support the development and implementation of produce prescription programs that increase access to fruits and vegetables for eligible participants. These programs integrate healthcare and nutrition services by allowing healthcare providers to prescribe healthy foods, often through vouchers or similar mechanisms. In addition to food access, funded projects must include nutrition education and demonstrate measurable improvements in dietary intake, food security, and maternal and infant health outcomes. The program also emphasizes building strong partnerships between healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and local food systems. Funding for this opportunity totals approximately 13 million dollars in fiscal year 2026, with up to 26 grants expected to be awarded. Individual awards may provide up to 500000 dollars per year for a period of four years, resulting in a maximum potential award of 2000000 dollars. Funds may be used for program design and implementation, participant recruitment and retention, nutrition education, evaluation activities, and partnership development. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, although voluntary contributions may be included but are not considered during the review process. Eligibility for the program is broad and includes a wide range of domestic organizations such as state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, tribal entities, and for-profit organizations. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate partnerships with at least one healthcare provider and one community-based organization, supported by letters of commitment. These partnerships are essential for program implementation, participant engagement, and evaluation. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes multiple components such as a project narrative, budget narrative, work plan, evaluation plan, staffing plan, business plan, and letters of support. Applicants must also complete standard federal forms including the SF-424 and related documentation. Applications are limited to one per organization, and submissions must meet strict formatting and completeness requirements to be considered. Applications will be evaluated based on criteria including need, program design, evaluation strategy, impact, organizational capacity, and budget justification. The review process includes an initial eligibility screening followed by a merit-based panel review. HRSA may also consider factors such as geographic distribution and overall portfolio balance when making final funding decisions. Key dates for the program include a Notice of Funding Opportunity release on June 17, 2026, and an application deadline of July 17, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced by August 30, 2026, with a project start date of September 30, 2026. The period of performance spans four years. Applicants are encouraged to participate in an informational webinar and may contact HRSA program staff for additional guidance.

Align proposal clearly with evaluation criteria; demonstrate strong partnerships; provide measurable outcomes and data strategy; ensure completeness and compliance with all submission requirements