Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 006537
The AgrAbility - Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities is a discretionary grant opportunity from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) designed to help people with disabilities remain successful in agriculture. The core purpose is practical: increase the likelihood that farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and farm family members with disabilities can continue working safely and productively in agricultural production. The program focuses on real-world accommodations in farm and ranch operations, including education, on-the-ground assistance, and the use of assistive technologies or adaptive approaches that reduce barriers created by disability.
A central feature of AgrAbility is the required partnership model. Projects are expected to be run through collaboration between a State Cooperative Extension System and a private, nonprofit disability organization that provides direct services to individuals with disabilities. In other words, NIFA is not looking for standalone academic or institutional efforts; it is funding joint projects that combine agricultural expertise (extension-based education and outreach) with disability service expertise (direct support, accommodation planning, and client-centered assistance). The intent is to ensure that funded activities translate into meaningful, practical support for people working in agriculture rather than staying purely in research or awareness-raising.
Eligible applicants include Land Grant institutions, with specific emphasis on 1890 Land Grant Colleges and Universities, including the University of the District of Columbia, Tuskegee University, West Virginia State University, and Central State University. The opportunity also notes that 1862 and 1890 Land Grant institutions may partner with each other and may also collaborate with other Land Grant institutions (such as 1994 Land Grants) and non-Land Grant institutions within a state or region through joint proposals. While some organizations may not be eligible to apply directly, award recipients are allowed to subcontract with additional organizations if they are necessary to carry out the project. Examples listed include 1994 Land Grant Colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and eXtension, which can be brought in as subcontractors to strengthen delivery, outreach, training capacity, or specialized support.
The funding is offered as a grant under CFDA 10.500, with an award ceiling of $180,000. The opportunity was created on February 26, 2018, and had an original application closing date of April 30, 2018. Like many federal opportunities, it stresses that eligibility requirements are strict: if an applicant fails to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline, the application can be excluded from consideration or, even if it is reviewed, NIFA may be unable to make an award. This makes the partnership requirement especially important, since partnering with a qualifying nonprofit disability organization that provides direct services is not optional but a condition of eligibility.
Overall, AgrAbility supports projects that deliver agricultural education and individualized assistance aimed at accommodating disability in farm operations. The program is structured to encourage cooperative, service-oriented solutions that help agricultural workers with disabilities and their families keep participating in farming and related occupations, using a combination of extension-based outreach and disability-focused, direct-service support.Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 006537
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "AgrAbility - Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.500.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-02-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-04-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $180,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the AgrAbility - Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities?
AgrAbility is a discretionary grant opportunity from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is designed to help people with disabilities remain successful in agriculture by supporting practical, real-world solutions that enable continued safe and productive participation in agricultural production.
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The core purpose is to increase the likelihood that farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and farm family members with disabilities can continue working safely and productively. The program emphasizes hands-on accommodations and barrier reduction in farm and ranch operations.
Who is the program intended to help?
The program targets people with disabilities who are involved in agriculture, specifically farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and farm family members with disabilities who want to continue participating in agricultural production.
What kinds of activities does AgrAbility support?
AgrAbility focuses on real-world accommodations in farm and ranch operations. Supported activities include agricultural education, on-the-ground assistance, and the use of assistive technologies or adaptive approaches that reduce barriers created by disability.
Is assistive technology the only focus of AgrAbility?
No. While assistive technology is included, the program also supports adaptive approaches and practical accommodations, along with education and direct, on-the-ground assistance that helps address disability-related barriers in agricultural work.
What is the required partnership model for AgrAbility projects?
Projects are expected to be run through a collaboration between a State Cooperative Extension System and a private, nonprofit disability organization that provides direct services to individuals with disabilities. This partnership is a central feature of the program.
Why is the partnership requirement important?
NIFA is not seeking standalone academic or institutional efforts. The partnership model is intended to combine agricultural expertise (extension-based education and outreach) with disability service expertise (direct support and client-centered assistance) so that activities translate into meaningful, practical help for people working in agriculture.
Can an applicant apply without a nonprofit disability organization partner?
No. Partnering with a qualifying private, nonprofit disability organization that provides direct services is described as a condition of eligibility, not an optional enhancement.
What happens if eligibility requirements are not met by the deadline?
The opportunity notes that eligibility requirements are strict. If an applicant fails to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline, the application can be excluded from consideration, or even if reviewed, NIFA may be unable to make an award.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include Land Grant institutions, with specific emphasis on 1890 Land Grant Colleges and Universities, including the University of the District of Columbia, Tuskegee University, West Virginia State University, and Central State University.
Are 1862 and 1890 Land Grant institutions allowed to work together?
Yes. The opportunity notes that 1862 and 1890 Land Grant institutions may partner with each other and may also collaborate with other Land Grant institutions and non-Land Grant institutions within a state or region through joint proposals.
Can other Land Grant institutions be involved, such as 1994 Land Grants?
Yes. The opportunity mentions that collaborations may include other Land Grant institutions (such as 1994 Land Grants) as part of joint proposals or through subcontracting when needed to carry out the project.
If an organization is not eligible to apply directly, can it still participate?
Yes. While some organizations may not be eligible to apply directly, award recipients are allowed to subcontract with additional organizations if they are necessary to carry out the project.
What are examples of organizations that could be subcontracted?
Examples listed include 1994 Land Grant Colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and eXtension. These organizations may be brought in to strengthen delivery, outreach, training capacity, or specialized support.
What type of funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?
The funding is offered as a grant under CFDA 10.500.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $180,000.
What is the overall emphasis of AgrAbility-funded work?
The program supports cooperative, service-oriented solutions that deliver agricultural education and individualized assistance aimed at accommodating disability in farm operations. It is structured to help agricultural workers with disabilities and their families keep participating in farming and related occupations.
Does the program emphasize research or direct service?
Based on the description provided, the intent is to ensure funded activities result in meaningful, practical support for people working in agriculture rather than staying purely in research or awareness-raising.
When was this opportunity created, and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was created on February 26, 2018, and had an original application closing date of April 30, 2018.
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| Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP) Apply for USDA NIFA VSGP 006543 Funding Number: USDA NIFA VSGP 006543 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Apply for OAO 012 Funding Number: OAO 012 Agency: Office of Partnerships and Public Engagements Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Special Research Grants Program - Aquaculture Research Apply for USDA NIFA SRGP 006544 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SRGP 006544 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| 1994 Tribal College Extension Special Emphasis Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 006546 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 006546 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Citrus Disease Research and Extension Pre-App Apply for USDA NIFA SCRI 006550 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SCRI 006550 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Food Safety Outreach Competitive Grant Program 2018 Apply for USDA NIFA FSMA 006549 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FSMA 006549 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program (MSP) Apply for USDA NIFA HEMS 006552 Funding Number: USDA NIFA HEMS 006552 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Sustainable Agricultural Systems Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 006553 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 006553 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Food and Agricultural Education Information System Apply for USDA NIFA OP 006554 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 006554 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $220,000 |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Education and Workforce Development Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 006555 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 006555 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Feed the Future Innovation Lab For Food Safety Apply for 7200AA18RFA00024 Funding Number: 7200AA18RFA00024 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $30,000,000 |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Foundational and Applied Science Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 006609 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 006609 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program Apply for USDA NIFA FASLP 006610 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FASLP 006610 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| RREA - National Focus Funds Apply for USDA NIFA OP 006611 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 006611 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Air Force Personal Financial Readiness Program Evaluation Development Apply for USDA NIFA EXCA 006631 Funding Number: USDA NIFA EXCA 006631 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative - Extension Disaster Education Network Apply for USDA NIFA ES 006632 Funding Number: USDA NIFA ES 006632 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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