Usda-Fns-Cn-Eag-Fy26
This questionnaire is a mandatory assessment tool for organizations seeking federal nutrition assistance grants, ensuring they have the necessary financial management systems and controls in place to responsibly handle public funds.
The Grant Program Accounting System and Financial Capability Questionnaire is issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service as part of its grant administration and oversight responsibilities. Rather than representing a direct funding opportunity, this document functions as a required pre-award and compliance assessment tool used to evaluate an applicant organization's financial management systems. The Food and Nutrition Service administers a variety of federal nutrition assistance programs and competitive and noncompetitive grants, and this questionnaire ensures that recipient organizations meet federal standards for accountability and transparency in the use of public funds. The primary purpose of this questionnaire is to assess whether an applicant organization has adequate financial systems in place to manage federal awards in accordance with 2 CFR 200.302, which outlines standards for financial and program management. The form collects detailed information about an organization's accounting practices, internal controls, staffing, and audit history. It is used by the agency to determine whether the organization can responsibly track, manage, and report on federal funds. Failure to demonstrate compliance with these requirements may result in disqualification from receiving grant funding. The scope of the questionnaire includes multiple areas of financial management. Organizations are asked to confirm whether they use accounting software, whether they can segregate grant funds by program, and whether they have designated financial personnel such as accountants or finance managers. Additional questions assess internal controls, such as separation of duties between those approving and those processing financial transactions, and the ability to track employee time and effort by program. The questionnaire also evaluates whether organizations maintain systems to track property and equipment purchased with grant funds. Another major component of the questionnaire focuses on audit history and findings. Organizations must disclose whether they have undergone audits within the past five fiscal years and whether any significant issues were identified. These include qualified or adverse audit opinions, material weaknesses, and significant deficiencies. If audits were conducted outside the Single Audit Act, applicants are required to provide documentation or links to the reports. This information helps the agency assess financial risk and determine whether additional oversight or conditions may be necessary. The submission process for this questionnaire is straightforward but mandatory for applicable grant applicants. Organizations must complete all sections, provide additional information where necessary, and certify that the information is accurate. The form requires the signature of an authorized representative along with contact details such as name, phone number, and email address. While no specific submission portal is identified within the document, it is typically included as part of a broader grant application package or submission system managed by the Food and Nutrition Service. There are no explicit funding amounts, deadlines, or award timelines associated with this questionnaire itself, as it is not a funding opportunity but rather a compliance instrument used during the grant evaluation process. However, it plays a critical role in determining eligibility for funding by ensuring that applicants meet federal financial management standards. The questionnaire applies to both competitive and noncompetitive grant programs administered by the agency and is a prerequisite for award consideration. Overall, this document serves as a key component of federal grant due diligence. It ensures that organizations receiving funds from the Food and Nutrition Service have the infrastructure, controls, and accountability mechanisms necessary to manage those funds appropriately. By requiring detailed disclosures on financial systems and audit history, the agency aims to reduce risk, promote transparency, and uphold the integrity of its grant programs.
Award Range
$25,000 - $2,362,417
Total Program Funding
$20,000,000
Number of Awards
54
Matching Requirement
No
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
Eligible applicants are limited to State agencies that administer the National School Lunch Program under agreement with the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. In states with multiple agencies, the primary agency serving the majority of school food authorities must apply and coordinate with secondary agencies to ensure statewide access. Applicants must meet all federal eligibility and submission requirements or be deemed ineligible.
Geographic Eligibility
All
Ensure all financial controls and audit disclosures are complete and accurate; incomplete or noncompliant responses may disqualify applicants
Application Opens
April 16, 2026
Application Closes
May 28, 2026
Grantor
Carla Garcia
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