CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE NOW ACCEPTING PROPOSALS FOR 2021 SPECIALTY CROP BLOCK GRANTS

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SACRAMENTO, September 18, 2020 - The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting proposals for the 2021 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program(SCBGP).

Each year, CDFA conducts a two-phase competitive solicitation process to award funds to projects that enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Review the 2021 Request for Concept Proposals for detailed application instructions.

Phase I of the competitive process begins with the submission of concept proposals, which undergo both an administrative review and a technical review. Successful applicants will be invited to submit a detailed grant proposal in Phase II of the process.

Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $450,000 per project and projects may last for up to two years and six months(projects submitted to the Additional Assistance for Historically Underrepresented Organizations will range from $25,000 to $100,000 and may last up to two years). Non-profit and for-profit organizations; local, state, federal, and tribal government entities; and public and private colleges and universities are eligible to apply (only non-profits and tribal governments may apply to the Additional Assistance for Historically Underrepresented Organizations Program).

All applicants must register online with the Financial Assistance Application Submittal Tool (FAAST), https://faast.waterboards.ca.gov, to apply. Concept proposals must be submitted electronically using FAAST by Friday, October 23, 2020, at 5 pm PST.

CDFA will conduct a series of webinars, featuring an overview of the program, a review of concept proposals questions, a live demonstration of the online application system and helpful grant writing tips. 

Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit the program’s website, www.cdfa.ca.gov/grants for full details or contact CDFA’s Office of Grants Administration at (916) 657-3231 or grants@cdfa.ca.gov for additional information. 

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