Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS MCGOVERN DOLE 18
The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program is a discretionary U.S. government grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS). It is designed to improve education and child nutrition outcomes in low-income, food-deficit countries that show commitment to education and school meal efforts. The program focuses on practical, on-the-ground support that uses food assistance as a tool to reduce hunger and boost school participation, while also strengthening longer-term food security and nutrition for vulnerable families.
At its core, the opportunity funds projects that feed school-aged children and reduce short-term hunger, which can be a major barrier to school attendance and learning. A key priority is literacy and educational advancement, with particular emphasis on improving outcomes for girls, who may face additional obstacles to staying in school. Beyond school meals, the program also aims to enhance nutrition for mothers and young children, recognizing that child development and learning are closely tied to maternal and early-life nutrition. In addition, the program is intended to support broader food security goals, meaning projects may incorporate approaches that help communities become more resilient and less dependent on emergency assistance over time.
Awards under this opportunity are issued as cooperative agreements, which typically indicates a more collaborative relationship between the federal government and the recipient than a standard grant. Projects under McGovern-Dole are commonly structured as multi-year efforts, and they are typically funded for up to five years. However, for this specific announcement, funding is explicitly contingent on the availability of the fiscal year 2018 McGovern-Dole budget, meaning awards depend on appropriations and program funding being available for that year.
The program provides a mix of in-kind and financial support, specifically U.S. commodities along with financial and technical assistance. The commodity component generally supports school feeding and related nutrition activities, while the financial and technical assistance can help cover implementation, monitoring, capacity building, and coordination needed to run effective education and nutrition interventions. The overall intent is not only to deliver meals, but also to build systems that support consistent school attendance, improved learning conditions, and stronger local capacity around child nutrition and school feeding.
Eligibility for this opportunity is aimed at non-governmental implementers rather than intergovernmental bodies. Eligible applicants include private voluntary organizations, cooperatives, and other organizations that are not intergovernmental organizations. The opportunity is categorized under agriculture, education, and food and nutrition and is listed under CFDA number 10.608. The funding opportunity title is "McGovern-Dole International Food For Education and Child Nutrition Program," with the funding opportunity number USDA FAS MCGOVERN DOLE 18. The issuing agency is the Foreign Agricultural Service, the opportunity was created on January 16, 2018, and the original application closing date was March 30, 2018.Apply for USDA FAS MCGOVERN DOLE 18
- The Foreign Agricultural Service in the agriculture, education, food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "McGovern-Dole International Food For Education and Child Nutrition Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.608.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-01-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-03-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program?
The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program is a discretionary U.S. government grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS). It funds projects that use food assistance to improve education and child nutrition outcomes in low-income, food-deficit countries that demonstrate commitment to education and school meal efforts.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The program is designed to reduce hunger and improve school participation and learning by supporting projects that feed school-aged children and address short-term hunger that can prevent attendance and learning. It also seeks to strengthen longer-term food security and nutrition for vulnerable families.
Which federal agency issues and administers this opportunity?
The issuing and administering agency is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).
What types of outcomes does the program aim to improve?
The program targets improved education and child nutrition outcomes. It specifically emphasizes school participation and learning conditions, literacy and educational advancement, improved nutrition for mothers and young children, and broader community food security and resilience over time.
Does the program focus on school meals only?
No. While school feeding is central, the program also aims to enhance nutrition for mothers and young children and may incorporate approaches that support broader food security goals, helping communities become more resilient and less dependent on emergency assistance.
Is there a priority focus on any specific student group?
Yes. The program highlights literacy and educational advancement with particular emphasis on improving outcomes for girls, who may face additional obstacles to staying in school.
What countries are intended to benefit from funded projects?
The program is intended for low-income, food-deficit countries that show commitment to education and school meal efforts.
What kind of award instrument is used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
Awards are issued as cooperative agreements, which typically indicates a more collaborative relationship between the federal government and the recipient than a standard grant.
How long are projects typically funded under McGovern-Dole?
Projects are commonly structured as multi-year efforts and are typically funded for up to five years.
Is funding guaranteed for this specific announcement?
No. Funding for this specific announcement is explicitly contingent on the availability of the fiscal year 2018 McGovern-Dole budget, meaning awards depend on appropriations and program funding being available for that year.
What types of support does the program provide to recipients?
The program provides a mix of in-kind and financial support, specifically U.S. commodities along with financial and technical assistance.
What are U.S. commodities used for in this program?
The commodity component generally supports school feeding and related nutrition activities.
What can the financial and technical assistance support?
Financial and technical assistance can help cover implementation, monitoring, capacity building, and coordination needed to run effective education and nutrition interventions.
Is the program intended to build local systems, or only deliver food?
The intent is not only to deliver meals, but also to build systems that support consistent school attendance, improved learning conditions, and stronger local capacity around child nutrition and school feeding.
Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?
Eligibility is aimed at non-governmental implementers. Eligible applicants include private voluntary organizations, cooperatives, and other organizations that are not intergovernmental organizations.
Are intergovernmental organizations eligible applicants?
No. The eligibility description specifically indicates that eligible applicants are organizations that are not intergovernmental organizations.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed for this program is 10.608.
How is this opportunity categorized?
The opportunity is categorized under agriculture, education, and food and nutrition.
What is the official funding opportunity title?
The funding opportunity title is "McGovern-Dole International Food For Education and Child Nutrition Program."
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is USDA FAS MCGOVERN DOLE 18.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on January 16, 2018.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date was March 30, 2018.
What kind of interventions does the program support on the ground?
The program focuses on practical, on-the-ground support using food assistance to reduce hunger and boost school participation, alongside activities that strengthen longer-term food security and nutrition for vulnerable families.
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