AgrAbility - Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities | USDA NIFA SLBCD 006186

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 006186

AgrAbility - Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The program is designed to help farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural producers with disabilities remain active in production agriculture by providing education, practical assistance, and ongoing support. The core intent is both economic and personal: keeping farm operations viable and safe while also improving overall quality of life for producers and their families. Projects funded under AgrAbility typically focus on identifying barriers created by disability in agricultural work and then matching producers with assistive technologies, adaptive equipment, modifications, and service supports that allow them to continue working effectively.

Eligibility for submitting an application is narrowly defined. Only Cooperative Extension programs housed at 1862 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities and 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Universities may apply. The opportunity explicitly includes institutions such as the University of the District of Columbia, Tuskegee University, West Virginia State University, and Central State University. A key requirement is that applicants must build their projects in partnership with private, nonprofit, community-based disability organizations that provide direct services and have the capacity to operate at the state, regional, or national level. In practice, this means proposals must demonstrate not only agricultural expertise through Extension, but also strong disability service capabilities through an established nonprofit partner that can deliver hands-on assistance to producers.

While only the specified Land-Grant Cooperative Extension entities can serve as the primary applicant, the grant structure allows flexibility in how project teams are assembled. Award recipients may subcontract with organizations that are not eligible to apply as lead applicants, including 1994 Land-Grant Colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and eXtension, as long as those entities are necessary for completing the work. The program also encourages collaboration: 1862 and 1890 institutions may partner with each other and may also partner with other Land-Grant or non-Land-Grant institutions within their state or region as part of a joint proposal. This setup supports multi-institution approaches where different partners contribute complementary strengths such as assistive technology evaluation, outreach to underserved communities, engineering support, rehabilitation expertise, or specialized training.

From the source details provided, the funding opportunity is identified as "USDA NIFA SLBCD 006186" under CFDA number 10.500, with an original application closing date of 2017-02-15 and a creation date of 2017-01-11. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed is $180,000. The opportunity is categorized as a grant under the agriculture funding activity area, reflecting its applied, service-oriented focus on real-world agricultural production challenges faced by people with disabilities.

Overall, this grant opportunity supports coordinated projects that blend Extension education and agricultural problem-solving with direct disability services, with the specific goal of keeping disabled producers working safely and productively through assistive technology and tailored supports.

• The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "AgrAbility - Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.500.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-01-11.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-02-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $180,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 006186

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