Phase 2 Produce Prescription Pilot Program

The Phase 2 Produce Prescription Pilot Program (P4) is offered by the Indian Health Service (IHS), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention. This program builds on federal efforts to address health disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, particularly those related to food insecurity and chronic diseases such as diabetes. The initiative reflects a broader federal commitment to integrating healthcare services with community-based interventions that address social determinants of health, including access to nutritious and culturally relevant foods. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Urban Indian organizations in developing and implementing produce prescription programs. These programs are designed to connect healthcare providers with food systems so that eligible participants can receive prescriptions for fruits, vegetables, and traditional foods. The overarching goals include reducing food insecurity, improving dietary behaviors, and promoting whole-person health and well-being. Awardees are expected to create sustainable models that integrate clinical care with food access strategies and culturally appropriate nutrition education. Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement mechanism, indicating substantial involvement from IHS throughout the project lifecycle. The program anticipates total funding of approximately $3,500,000, with individual awards ranging from $200,000 to $250,000 for the first year and a total project period of up to five years, contingent on continued funding and performance. Funds may be used for program infrastructure, partnerships with healthcare and food providers, nutrition education, and data collection and evaluation. Pre-award costs are not allowable, and all expenditures must align with federal regulations and program-specific limitations. Eligibility is restricted to federally recognized Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Urban Indian organizations that meet statutory definitions and requirements. Applicants must provide documentation such as Tribal resolutions or proof of nonprofit status, depending on their classification. Organizations that have previously received funding under this program are not eligible, and only one application per entity is permitted. Notably, there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, although voluntary contributions may be included but will not influence application scoring. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and involves multiple components, including a project narrative, budget narrative, attachments such as letters of support and audit documentation, and standard federal forms like the SF-424 and SF-424A. The project narrative is limited to 10 pages and must address criteria such as community need, program design, evaluation methods, and organizational capacity. Applications are evaluated through a merit-based review process with a 100-point scoring system that emphasizes project feasibility, evaluation rigor, and alignment with program goals. Applications are due by June 22, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, with expected awards issued around July 15, 2026. The anticipated project start date aligns with the award date, and recipients must comply with extensive reporting and participation requirements, including quarterly calls, annual progress reports, and data submissions. Key contacts for the program include Stacy Hammer, National Nutrition Consultant, who can be reached via email or phone for programmatic inquiries. Overall, this program represents a strategic investment in community-driven health interventions that bridge clinical care and food access systems. By requiring strong partnerships, culturally grounded programming, and robust evaluation, the initiative aims to generate evidence and scalable models that can inform future federal efforts to improve health outcomes in Tribal communities.

Strong emphasis on partnerships with healthcare and food systems; clearly demonstrate community need and food insecurity; provide robust evaluation plan with measurable outcomes; align budget tightly with program goals