A new Request for Applications (RFA) has been announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant program. Interested entities are encouraged to apply now.
Applications must be submitted electronically via the USDA grant portal at https://usda-prs.grantsolutions.gov/usda by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Monday, November 22, 2021.
The Pandemic Assistance provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 will fund approximately $650 million for PRS grants.
Program beneficiaries will include small businesses in certain commodity areas, such as shellfish, finfish, aquaculture, and apiculture producers; processors; distributors; and farmers markets.
A grant can be applied for by small businesses and nonprofits in these industries to cover COVID-related costs, including workplace safety measures, retrofitting facilities for worker and consumer safety, shifting to online sales platforms, transportation, worker housing, and medical costs. $1,500 is the minimum and $20,000 is the maximum amount of funding that can be requested.
Details about eligibility for the grant can be found in the RFA and the PRS Grant Portal. Prior to applying for this program, eligible entities are required to obtain a free DUNS Number from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). USDA has created a special PRS DUNS number portal at https://support.dnb.com/?CUST=PandemicResponse
On the PRS Grant Portal, you will find resources for applying, such as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), tip sheets in both English and Spanish, videos on “How to Apply” and more.
For more information, contact the PRS Help Desk, which is open Monday-Friday from 9 am to 9 pm ET at (301) 238-5550 or usda.ams.prs@grantsolutions.gov.
Visit the PRS Grant Portal to determine your eligibility, get a DUNS number, and learn more about the application process.
