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Fresh Produce Market

Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program - Produce Prescription (GusNIP-PPR)

The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) - Produce Prescription Program supports projects that demonstrate and evaluate the impact of fresh fruit and vegetable prescriptions to increase procurement and consumption of fruits and vegetables, reduce individual and household food insecurity, and reduce healthcare usage and associated costs.

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For additional information about the GusNIP portfolio, please visit our Main Program Page.


Overview

NIFA requests applications for the GusNIP Produce Prescription Program to conduct projects that demonstrate and evaluate the impact of fresh fruit and vegetable prescriptions to (1) increase procurement and consumption of fruits and vegetables, (2) reduce individual and household food insecurity, and (3) reduce healthcare usage and associated costs.

Dear Applicants,

Please review the information and application guidance in the links below carefully to prepare a complete application. Applications that do not satisfy all initial screening criteria are at risk of being returned without review.

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Eligibility

Applicants to GusNIP programs are encouraged to partner and collaborate broadly throughout the healthcare system and the food system.  Non-profit organizations and government agencies are eligible to apply for the GusNIP Produce Prescription Program.

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Funding Opportunity

The Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program - Produce Prescription Program (GusNIP-PPR) Request for Application (RFA) is now open and accepting applications. Proposal submission is due February 28, 2024. Use the link below to access RFA and the Technical Assistance Webinars.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Visit the GusNIP-PPR Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page to review common applicant questions about eligibility, program policy, program area, and application content.

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GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information (NTAE) 

The GusNIP NTAE’s Nutrition Incentive Hub provides free one-on-one support - including templates, checklists, webinars, and other resources - to all GusNIP grantees and applicants.  Applicants are highly encouraged to take advantage of these technical assistance resources and services.  Please visit the resource page.

The Nutrition Incentive Hub also offers several resources specifically developed to assist with the Request for Applications (RFA). 

For specific questions related to GusNIP proposal development or GusNIP project implementation, the technical assistance team may be reached at:  ta@nutritionincentivehub.org.

For specific questions related to reporting and evaluation, the reporting and evaluation team may be reached at: evaluation@nutritionincentivehub.org.

A list of current GusNIP Produce Prescription awardees can be found on the Nutrition Incentive Hub’s map of grantee projects. 

The PPR Measuring Healthcare Use and Healthcare Cost resource is now online on the Nutrition Incentive Hub website. The purpose of this resource is to support GusNIP/CRR/ARPA PPR grantees in addressing the GusNIP PPR RFA requirement to measure healthcare use and cost. We are hopeful this resource can be added to the list of Resources for Applicants on USDA’s PPR website. This resource is referred to on pg. 21 of the 2024 PPR RFA: “A menu of potential healthcare utilization and healthcare cost metrics can be found via the GusNIP Produce Prescription request for applications resource page.” 

Letter of Support from NTAE - The 2024 GusNIP RFA requires all applicants to have a consultation session of approximately 1 hour with the GusNIP NTAE Center’s Nutrition Incentive Hub. This requirement can be met by attending a group session, a one-on-one session, or attending a webinar hosted by the NTAE. To document completion of your consultation, all applications must include a letter of support from the GusNIP NTAE Center in their proposal. Upon completing your 1 hour required consultation, participants will receive a link to generate a letter of support. 

You must request this letter of support for your application – the NTAE will not automatically generate one for you. Produce Prescription Program letter of support requests received by midnight ET each Friday will be sent to requestors the following Tuesday; with the exception of the week of February 26th as the RFA is due on February 28th. During this final week of the open RFA period all letter requests forms must be received by midnight ET on Monday, February 26th. We strongly encourage applicants to request their letter well in advance of February 26th. Complete the LINK "https://tfaforms.com/5102678" to schedule a consultation.

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Underrepresented Communities and Geographies

NIFA encourages applicants to propose projects that serve underrepresented communities and geographies.  Underrepresented communities include tribal communities, communities of color, LGBTQIA+ communities, individuals with disabilities, Veterans, rural and remote communities, insular areas, or communities with residents predominantly living under the Federal poverty line.

The underrepresented geographies for the Produce Prescription Program (PPR) are determined based on States and Territories that are not a primary place of performance for an active PPR awardee project. For FY2024 PPR applications from the following States and Territories are underrepresented geographies. 

  • Alabama
  • American Samoa
  • Arizona
  • Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands
  • Delaware
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Guam
  • Idaho
  • Kansas 
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • North Dakota
  • Puerto Rico
  • Rhode Island
  • U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

 

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Application Guideline Resources

NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide
The Application Guide is part of the corresponding application package for this RFA. The RFA overrides the Application Guide if there is a discrepancy between the two documents. 

Grants 101
The Grants.Gov “Grants 101” tool is an online resource that highlights and gives a synopsis of the basics behind the grant life cycle and the overall management that comes with a grant. 

Logic Model Guide
The logic model is the diagram or chart depicting your organization's planned work and intended results for a given project. A logic model is required for GusNIP applications and is limited to one page (see under Part IV § B of the RFA). Below are resources from NIFA and the GusNIP NTAE Center around Logic Models.

Data Management Plan (DMP)
A DMP is required for this program. Applicants should clearly articulate how the project director (PD) and co-PDs plan to manage and disseminate the data generated by the project. A DMP of no more than two pages should be uploaded as an Other Attachment, Field 12. The DMP will be considered during the merit review process (see Part V § B of this RFA, Part III § 3.1 of the Application Guide and NIFA’s Data Management Plan). Below are resources to help applicants develop a DMP.

Business Plan 

Institutional Review Board
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) are administrative organizations established to protect the rights, privacy and welfare of human subjects that are recruited to participate in research activities. All GusNIP grantees are required to engage in an IRB review to ensure that research is ethical, unbiased, and complies with laws and regulations designed to protect program participants. Upon request, the NTAE can also help applicants navigate the IRB process and determine the best IRB through which to submit for approval (submit requests to evaluation@nutritionincentivehub.orgPlease visit the suite of resources to help applicants IRB requirements.  

Evaluation Resources
Project evaluations must follow USDA guidelines to ensure an appropriate level of comparability of methods, outcomes, and measures that will inform the USDA of potential new strategies and promising new programs to consider in future funding cycles. All Produce Prescription grantees will be required to participate in the GusNIP comprehensive program evaluation, which involves collecting a core set of participant-level and firm-level metrics, in cooperation with the Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Centers (NTAE).

Avoid Common Mistakes 
These mistakes have commonly lead Produce Prescription Program applications to be administratively declined without further review. Prior to submitting your application, carefully review your materials to ensure you do not miss an administrative requirement. 

  1. Meet the format requirements (page length and PDF format all documents)
  2. Make sure to complete and submit the following documents:
    • Budget Justification
    • NTAE (consultation) letter of support
    • Healthcare partner letter of support
    • Bibliography
    • Current and Pending – Support document
    • Conflict of Interest - Support document
    • Submit proof of eligibility (for IHE applicants)
  3. Review that the budget is within the maximum award amount.
  4. Be attentive of the due date: Late submission represents an automatic decline. The project budget request exceeds the maximum allowable award amount.

Tips for Success 
Follow these tips to help ensure your application will pass administrative review and move on to the peer review process. This list is not designed to be comprehensive; refer to the Produce Prescription Program Request for Applications (RFA) for detailed requirements and instructions. 

  1. Confirm your organization is eligible to apply for the program, see Part III.A. of the RFA. Make sure to submit the proof of eligibility as part of the application.
  2. Plan early for your 1-on-1 consultation with the Nutrition Incentive Hub, request the letter of verification/support, and upload the PDF verification letter they provide in field 12 of your application. 
  3. Verify the eligibility of your healthcare partner (Part III.A. of the RFA) and ensure their support letter details how they will be part of the project. 
  4. Include a budget and budget justification in your application, ensuring the total budget request does not exceed the maximum allowable amount ($500,000; Part I.C. of the RFA). 
  5. Include a project narrative in PDF format that does not exceed the page limit (15 pages; Part IV.B. of the RFA). 
  6. Include bibliography, Current and Pending, and Conflict of Interest documents in PDF format in your application. 
  7. Convert all application documents to PDF format prior to attaching them in Grants.gov. 
  8. Review the detailed description of the content and form of the application in Part IV.B. of the RFA.  

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Core Metrics

Participant-Level Metrics
All GusNIP Produce Prescription grantees will be required to collect participant-level core metrics from a subsample of their participants over the course of their award. Both baseline (pre-program) and post-program surveys are required to be collected from this subsample. The sample size is based on the ability to detect 0.25 cups/day change in fruits and vegetables consumption. Post-award, the NTAE will work with each grantee on an individual basis to determine the sample size and sampling plan. 

Please visit the suite of resources to help applicants with participant-level metrics, including a list of the core metrics, baseline and post surveys, and more.  

Please visit this Measuring Healthcare Use and Healthcare Cost resource for guidance on how to address the GusNIP PPR RFA requirement to measure healthcare use and cost. 

Firm-Level Metrics
Firm-level core metrics will be required of all participating GusNIP firms, including onsite farmers markets, mobile markets or mobile clinics, grocery stores/pharmacies, corner stores, CSA programs, or any other firm types.

Please visit the suite of resources to help applicants with firm-level metrics, including a list of core metrics, and firm-level reporting instructions.  

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Indirect Costs

Review the NIFA Indirect Costs page for details on claiming indirect costs.

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Template Letter from Healthcare Partner  

Signed letter(s) of support from at least one healthcare partner are to be attached to the applications under this RFA. Please view the template letter from a healthcare partner

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Resources for Applicants

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Resources for Awardees

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