Description:       The Rural Business-Cooperative Service announces the availability of $3,000,000, in competitive grant funds for the FY 2014 Small Socially-Disadvantaged Producer Grants (SSDPG) program as authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014. We are requesting proposals from applicants who will provide technical assistance to small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers in rural areas. Eligible applicants include Cooperatives, Groups of Cooperatives, and Cooperative Development Centers. The maximum award per grant is $200,000. The grant period is limited to a one-year timeframe.

Funding Title:    Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant

Agency Name:    Department of Agriculture, Business and Cooperative Programs

Funding Instrument Type:     Grant

Express Language for Legal Aid:    Yes

Target Population:    Small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers in rural areas

Expected Number of Awards:     20

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:    No

How to Apply:     The application template for applying on paper for this funding opportunity is located at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_SSDPG.html. You may submit your application in paper form or electronically. If you submit in paper form, any forms requiring signatures must include an original signature. To submit an application electronically, you must use the Grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov. You may not submit an application electronically in any way other than through Grants.gov.

Current Closing Date for Applications:       Jun 24, 2014

Estimated Total Program Funding:     $3,000,000

Award Ceiling:    $200,000

Award Floor:  

Eligible Applicants:    Grants may be made to Cooperatives, Groups of Cooperatives, and Cooperative  Development Centers where a majority of the board of directors or governing board is comprised of individuals who are members of Socially-Disadvantaged Groups. You must be able to verify your legal structure in the State in which you are incorporated. Grants may not be made to public bodies or to individuals.

Priority Consideration:    Priority shall be given to the financing of projects that provide a benefit to underserved communities.

Policy and Regulations on Use of Funds:     

Current/Past Funding Recipients:      2013

Samples of Successful Application:

Link to Full Announcement:  http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-04-30/pdf/2014-09868.pdf

Contact Information:

Office of the Deputy Administrator,

Cooperative Programs, Rural Business-

Cooperative Service, United States

Department of Agriculture, 1400

Independence Avenue SW., Mail Stop-

3250, Room 4016-South, Washington,

DC 20250–3250, (202) 720–7558

Categories: Consumer, Express Language for Legal Aid, Rural, Small Businesses, Subgrant Possibilities, USDA