Children, Youth, and Families at Risk 4-H Military Partnership Professional Development and Technical Assistance

The Children, Youth, and Families at Risk 4-H Military Partnership Professional Development and Technical Assistance program, funded under assistance listing 10.521 by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, aims to strengthen the capacity of Land-grant Institutions and the Cooperative Extension System to deliver educational programs for military-connected youth. This three-year initiative, running from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2029, supports the development and implementation of professional development and technical assistance efforts that enable these institutions to create resilient, inclusive, and impactful 4-H programs addressing the unique challenges faced by military families, such as frequent relocations and parental deployments. The program is supported by an estimated $550,000 in FY2026 funding, awarded as a grant rather than a procurement contract, with future annual increments contingent upon performance and appropriation availability. Applicants must submit a comprehensive proposal including a Project Narrative limited to 12 pages plus seven additional pages for figures and tables, a Logic Model, a Data Management Plan, a Budget and Budget Narrative, Senior/Key Person Profiles, and the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, all submitted via Grants.gov in PDF format by the July 20, 2026 deadline. Proposals are evaluated equally on three criteria: the applicant’s potential to support program implementation, the soundness of the proposed approach, and the reasonableness and alignment of the budget with project activities, using a trade-off process that prioritizes overall merit over lowest cost. Key administrative requirements include prior approval for changes in key personnel, scope adjustments, or subcontracting exceeding 50% of award funds; strict adherence to 2 CFR Part 200 and USDA cost principles; compliance with ethical conduct and financial conflict of interest standards; and the use of the Automated Standard Application for Payments system for disbursements. All award recipients must ensure data management and dissemination practices are robust, submit annual and final reports, and comply with reporting obligations within 90 days of project completion. Performance occurs across Land-grant and Extension service sites nationwide, with administrative oversight coordinated through NIFA’s Kansas City office, and programmatic inquiries directed to Military4-H@usda.gov.