agriculture · food_and_nutrition · USDA-FNS1
FY 2026 Team Nutrition Training Grants
Food and Nutrition Service · USDA-FNA-2026-TNTG
Award Range
$500K – $1.0M
Total Program Funding
$10.0M
Expected Awards
10
Deadline
July 31, 2026
GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview
USDA's Food and Nutrition Service is funding state agencies to train child nutrition professionals — the people who run school lunch programs, summer feeding sites, and child care food programs. Focus: improving meal quality with whole/minimally processed foods, supporting wellness policies, and building sustainable training infrastructure. $500K-$1M per award, 20 awards from $10M.
Who Should Apply
State agencies that administer NSLP (National School Lunch Program), SBP, SFSP, or CACFP only. This means state education departments, state health departments, or state agriculture departments — whichever runs child nutrition in your state.
Who Should NOT Apply
Individual school districts, nonprofits, food service companies, or any entity that is not a state-level administering agency for federal child nutrition programs.
Key Requirements (Plain English)
- •Must be a state agency administering NSLP, SBP, SFSP, or CACFP
- •Must train child nutrition professionals (cafeteria managers, food service directors)
- •Must emphasize whole, minimally processed foods
- •Must build sustainable training infrastructure that lasts beyond the grant
💡 GrantQuick Tip
Only state agencies can apply — there are 56 eligible entities (50 states + DC + territories). With 20 awards, that's roughly a 35% win rate. The differentiator is HOW you'll train: on-site coaching, virtual learning platforms, and regional train-the-trainer models outperform one-off workshops. Show USDA you'll build something that survives after the money ends.
Competitiveness: Low — 20 awards for ~56 eligible state agencies = ~35% of applicants funded. If your state agency applies with a solid plan, odds are good.
What This Grant Funds
The goal of the FY 2026 Team Nutrition Training Grant: Growing Healthier Futures is to enhance training for child nutrition professionals to improve meal quality, support wellness policies and nutrition education that emphasize whole, minimally processed foods, and build sustainable infrastructure for NSLP, SBP, SFSP, and CACFP program operators.
Applicants have the option of selecting one of the two objectives below. Applicants must select only one (1) grant objective.
Grant Objective #1: Deliver training and technical assistance to child nutrition professionals in the School Meals Programs to improve meal planning and preparation in line with the Dietary Guidelines, while promoting nutrition education and fostering healthy school environments that support nutritious food choices and active lifestyles. Proposals must focus on all three (3) School Meals Programs: NSLP, SBP and SFSP.
Grant Objective #2: Provide training, mentorship, and technical assistance to CACFP providers to enhance meal planning and preparation for children and adults, while delivering nutrition education through multiple channels and promoting healthy food environments at CACFP sites.
An informational webinar was pre-recorded and can be viewed here: https://www.fna.usda.gov/tn/training-grants/webinar-2026
Attachments
State Partnership Letter Template
FY26_TNTG_RFA_Appendix_C_State_Partnership_Letter.docx
Project Work Plan
FY26_TNTG_RFA_Appendix_A__Project_Work_Plan.docx
Budget Narrative Template (MS Word)
FY26_TNTG_RFA_Appendix_B_Budget_Narrative_Template.docx
Budget Narrative Template (Excel)
FY26_TNTG_RFA_Appendix_B_Budget_Narrative_Template.xlsx
Request for Applications
FY26_Team_Nutrition_Training_Grant_RFA.pdf
Informational Webinar flyer
FY26_TNTG_Informational_Webinar_Flyer.pdf
FY26 TNTG RFA FAQ
FY26_TNTG_RFA_FAQ.pdf
Who Can Apply
Eligible Applicant Types
Funding Details
- Minimum Award
- $500K
- Maximum Award
- $1.0M
- Total Program Funding
- $10.0M
- Expected Number of Awards
- 10
- Cost Sharing Required?
- No
- Funding Instrument
- grant
Key Dates
Agency Contact
Anna J Arrowsmith Grants Officer
anna.arrowsmith@usda.govReady to apply?
View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov