Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Workforce - Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center

Background
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) National Workforce Strategy is part of a joint agency initiative between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is expected to cultivate comprehensive and sustained solutions for WIC workforce development. The joint agency initiative aims to strengthen the diversity and cultural competency of the WIC workforce. The ultimate goals include increasing WIC participation through reaching those populations that are eligible but not enrolled, and increasing WIC participants' use of benefits and services, including nutrition education and breastfeeding support.

Grant Details
NIFA requests applications for a WIC Workforce Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center to provide technical assistance and evaluation oversight to implementation projects funded to respond to the National WIC Workforce Strategy. The center will support the development and implementation of a management and outreach plan for engaging with WIC State and local agencies, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Minority Serving Institutes (MSIs), and underserved communities. This includes the incorporation of DEIA outcomes and activities. It will ensure rigorous evaluation and reporting across implementation projects funded to increase the diversity and cultural competency of the WIC workforce. Additionally, it will establish and oversee a National WIC Workforce Advisory Workgroup to inform project components throughout the entire period of performance.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible institutions include State Agricultural Experiment Stations, colleges and universities (including HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, HSACUs), university research foundations, non-profit organizations, Federal agencies, governmental agencies, tribal organizations, national laboratories, private organizations or corporations, individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents; or any group consisting of two or more entities identified in the eligibility list. Foreign or international organizations are not eligible.

Period of Performance
The grant duration is 60 months with an application deadline on July 1, 2024.

Grant Value
The anticipated program funding for Fiscal Year 2024 is $10,000,000 with one anticipated award at a maximum amount of $10,000,000.