Description
Purpose of Grant Funding: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) expects to award approximately $2,000,000 in fiscal year (FY) 2016 in grant funding to WIC State agencies for the purpose of this grant project. These grant awards are contingent upon the availability of funding and will be awarded as cooperative agreements to allow FNS more active participation with the cooperator during both project development and project execution. Lead agencies are ONLY the 90 WIC State agencies responsible for administering WIC in the States, Territories, and Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs). However, success of these grants will mainly depend on partnerships between State agencies with their local WIC agencies, local colleges or universities, public health organizations (government or non-government), Head Start programs or other similar programs serving low income families with children under 5 years age. These strong collaborations within States and local agencies will enhance the knowledge sharing and best practices to retain eligible children who need WIC services. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that: 1. State agencies reach out to their local WIC agencies for collaborative inputs in the proposal development process.2. Local WIC agencies may reach out to their State agencies with any innovative ideas relevant for collaboration on proposal development on child retention for mini or full grants. Established local agency partnerships with academic institutions and other local organizations (government or non-government) may be leveraged to strengthen the proposal development process. 3. State agencies are responsible to lead the full grant proposal partnerships. In agreement with the State, local agencies may take the lead of mini grants. In this case, State agencies will lead and oversee the submission of mini grant proposals as well as its implementation at the local agency if awarded. This RFA is for Full or Mini Grants ONLY Full Grants - FNS anticipates awarding up to 3 Full Grants for up $400,000 - $500,000 each, depending on the number and quality of applications received and requested budget amounts. The performance period will be from the date of the award through September 30, 2019. (Note: While all major project activities must be completed by September 30, 2019, Grantees will be required to present project findings to FNS in Spring 2020. See Grant Requirements for more information.)Mini Grants - FNS anticipates awarding up to 6 Mini Grants for up to $50,000- $100,000 each, depending on the number and quality of applications received and requested budget amounts. The performance period will be from the date of the award through September 30, 2018. (Note: While all major project activities must be completed by March 30, 2018, Grantees will be required to present project findings to FNS in Summer 2018. See Grant Requirements for more information.)