# Direct Certification Improvement Grant

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/usda-fns-cn-24-dc-direct-certification-improvement-grant/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/354848

> Food and Nutrition Service offered grants of up to $1.0 million to state and local governments. It expected to make about 5 awards worth $2.3 million in total. Applications closed on July 29, 2024.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | USDA-FNS-CN-24-DC |
| Agency | Food and Nutrition Service |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | July 29, 2024 |
| Award ceiling | $1.0 million |
| Award floor | not stated |
| Expected awards | 5 |
| Total funding | $2.3 million |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 10.579 |

## Who can apply

- State governments

State agencies that administer the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), with priority award to those with the lowest direct certification rates for children who are members of households receiving SNAP benefits.

## What the grant funds

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service invites State agencies that administer the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) to apply for Direct Certification Improvement Grants to fund the costs of improving their direct certification rates with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and other assistance programs, as allowed under Federal statute and regulations. Under this request for applications (RFA), approximately $2.3 million is available for competitive grants to NSLP State agencies with the lowest direct certification rates for children who are members of households receiving SNAP benefits to fund direct certification improvement projects. However, as discussed in more detail in Section 3 of the Request for Applications, Eligibility Information, applicants who have direct certification rates at 95 percent or higher, as reported in the latest Direct Certification in the National School Lunch Program Report to Congress, must present a compelling case in their application proposals as to why additional funds are necessary for improvements in their direct certification system or processes for them to maintain rates at or above the mandated 95 percent benchmark. The legislative authority for this grant agreement announcement is Section 749(h)(1)(A) and (C)(i) of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111–80).

## Questions people ask

### Is USDA-FNS-CN-24-DC still open?

No. It closed on July 29, 2024. A newer notice is open: USDA-FNA-CN-HTH-NSLP-EAG-2027, closes January 11, 2027 (65 days left).

### Who can apply for Direct Certification Improvement Grant?

Food and Nutrition Service accepted applications from state and local governments. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for Direct Certification Improvement Grant?

Closed July 29, 2024. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $1.0 million each. About $2.3 million in total across about 5 awards.

### Who has won Child Nutrition Discretionary Grants Limited Availability grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Action for Healthy Kids, Inc., Chickasaw Nation, Department of Education California. The program made 310 awards worth $296 million in that time.