Mobile Technology for Child Nutrition Innovation Laboratory

This is an announcement is subject to the availability of funds for one new cooperative agreement for FY 2017-2020 with a public or private Academic or Research Institution. The USDA anticipates awarding up to $1.5 million in grant funding to support the creation of a Mobile Technology for Child Nutrition Research Innovation Laboratory.

This “lab” will support the development, testing and implementation of innovative mobile technology-based solutions to improve services, effectiveness, participation, and customer satisfaction in the child nutrition (CN) programs through subgrants. Subgrantees may include partnerships between state and local programs, researchers, and small businesses that are well-positioned to develop and test the effectiveness of novel mobile applications for consideration and eventual use by FNS and state agencies.

FNS has a particular interest in mobile technology solutions that integrate behavioral economic approaches in their design. Mobile applications developed under this grant should support the activities of those who administer Child Nutrition programs and/or improve service delivery for program participants.

• RFA Release Date: April 3, 2017
• Letter of Intent Date: May 3, 2017
• Application Submission Date: June 5, 2017
• Anticipated Award Date: Aug. 1, 2017

Funding

The grant will be awarded on a competitive basis, subject to the availability of Federal funds. Approximately $1.5 million is available for funding this new Cooperative Agreement. We will accept one application package per applicant. The grantee will be responsible for awarding at least 51% of their awarded amount as subgrants to design, develop, and test mobile technologies. The grantee will also evaluate the subgrantees' project goals on the desired outcomes, as indicated below.

Award Period and Project Timeline

FNS plans to enter into a cooperative agreement with the selected Grantee by Aug. 1, 2017. The Grantee will be allowed to use the funds consistent with its application plans. Applicants may apply for funds for three years with the award period end date no later than Sept. 30, 2020.

Content and form of application submission:

FNS strongly encourages eligible applicants interested in applying to this program to adhere to the following applicant format. All pages should be single-spaced on 8 ½ x 11 white paper, in 12 point font with one-inch margins. The project description with relevant information should be captured on no more than 30 pages, not including the cover sheet, table of contents, resumes, letter of commitment(s), endorsement letter(s), budget narrative(s), appendices, and required forms. All pages, excluding the form pages, must be numbered.

Special Instructions:

• An optional Letter of Intent may be submitted but is not required. However, the Letter of Intent will aid FNS in preparation for the application review process. Letters of Intent are due to FNS by May 3, 2017.
• Late application submission will not be considered in this competition. FNS will not consider additions or revisions to applications once they are received.
• Applications submitted without the required supporting documents, forms, certification will not be considered.
• Applications not submitted via the Grants.gov portal will not be considered.
• If multiple application packages are submitted through the grants.gov web portal by the same applicant in response to this solicitation, FNS will accept the latest application package successfully submitted. All other packages submitted by the applicant will be removed from this competition.
• FNS reserves the right to use this solicitation and competition to award additional grants in the next or subsequent fiscal years should additional funds be made available.
• Grant awards are subject to the availability of funds.
• At least 51% of funding must be designated for subgrant awards.
• Cost sharing or matching for this RFA is not required. Applicants that commit matching resources, including in-kind resources, to the project will receive extra points in the scoring of proposals.

The eligible applicant that intends to submit an application should submit a Letter of Intent notice by May 3, 2017. This notice does not obligate the applicant to submit an application but provides FNS with useful information in preparing for the review and selection process. The notice should include the potential applicant's name and address, organization's name, telephone number, and e-mail address of the primary point of contact. The applicant can send the letter via the mail or e-mail to the FNS Grants Office identified below:

Grants and Fiscal Policy Division
U.S. Department of Agriculture, FNS
3101 Park Center Drive Room 740
Alexandra, VA 22301