Fy 2026 Fdpir Nutrition Education

The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations Innovative Nutrition Education Cooperative Agreement Project is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Food and Nutrition Administration. The program is rooted in federal legislation supporting nutrition assistance and is designed to improve health outcomes among American Indian and Alaska Native populations. The agency’s broader mission is to provide nutritious food access and promote healthy living, and this funding opportunity specifically targets the enhancement of nutrition education within the FDPIR program. The initiative reflects a federal priority to strengthen culturally relevant health strategies that support long-term wellness and food security in Tribal communities. The primary purpose of this cooperative agreement is to fund the development and implementation of innovative nutrition education projects that directly benefit FDPIR participants and program staff. Projects must focus on culturally appropriate approaches that promote the use of USDA Foods and align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030. The program emphasizes the creation of original educational tools and programming that supplement, rather than duplicate, existing resources. Applicants are expected to identify gaps in current nutrition education efforts and propose solutions that improve dietary behaviors, increase knowledge, and support sustainable health outcomes. Funding for this opportunity totals up to 500000 dollars, with individual awards ranging from 100000 to 500000 dollars. Up to two projects will be funded for a 24-month performance period spanning approximately September 2026 through September 2028. Allowable costs include personnel, travel, equipment, supplies, evaluation activities, and limited promotional or educational materials, all of which must directly support program objectives. Certain costs are restricted, including pre-award expenses, advertising, and general food service not tied to educational activities. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity, making it more accessible to eligible applicants. Eligible applicants include Indian Tribal Organizations, state agencies administering FDPIR, nonprofit or private organizations, institutions of higher education including Tribal colleges, and eligible Tribal entities or national Tribal organizations. Applicants must demonstrate prior experience within the past three years in delivering FDPIR-related nutrition education or training. Required documentation includes a detailed cover letter describing past work, at least one work product, two letters of support, and resumes of key project staff. Failure to provide these materials results in ineligibility. The application process is conducted through Grants.gov and requires standard federal forms such as SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B, along with a detailed project narrative, budget narrative, and supporting documentation. The project narrative must clearly outline objectives, activities, indicators, timelines, staffing, and evaluation methods. Applications are evaluated based on criteria including project design, evaluation quality, staff expertise, organizational experience, and budget appropriateness, with additional bonus points available for extensive experience and innovation in Tribal nutrition education. The application deadline is July 31, 2026, with submissions required by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Awards are anticipated to be announced in September 2026. The program requires ongoing reporting, including quarterly financial reports and performance progress reports using standardized federal forms. Awardees must collaborate closely with the funding agency throughout the project lifecycle, including planning, implementation, and evaluation phases. This cooperative structure ensures federal oversight and alignment with program goals. This funding opportunity does not explicitly state recurring availability, but it represents a structured federal funding cycle tied to appropriations. Applicants are encouraged to begin registration processes well in advance, including obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier and registering in SAM and Grants.gov. The program supports long-term capacity building within Tribal communities by fostering partnerships, enhancing staff training, and developing sustainable nutrition education resources that can be integrated into existing FDPIR programming.

Ensure project demonstrates innovation and fills identified gaps in FDPIR nutrition education; align all materials with Dietary Guidelines; clearly map activities to required objectives and measurable indicators; provide strong evidence of past performance in Tribal communities