Application Period Open for Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program

On October 6, 2021, USDA announced a Request for Applications (RFA) for the new Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant program.

Approximately $650 million in funding is available for the PRS grants, which are funded by the Pandemic Assistance provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. 

The PRS Grant program will assist small businesses in certain commodity areas, including specialty crop producers, shellfish farming, finfish farming, aquaculture, and apiculture; specialty crop, meat, and other processors; distributors; and farmers markets. 

Small businesses and nonprofits in eligible industries can apply for a grant to cover COVID-related expenses, such as workplace safety measures (e.g., personal protective equipment, retrofitting facilities for worker and consumer safety, shifting to online sales platforms, transportation, worker housing, and medical costs). 

The minimum funding request is $1,500 and the maximum funding request is $20,000.

Applications must be submitted electronically through the PRS Grant Portal by 11:59 pm ET on November 22, 2021. 

The portal also provides more details on eligibility and the application process. Eligible entities are required to obtain a free DUNS Number here before applying for this program. 

For more information, interested parties can also reach out to the PRS help desk, Monday-Friday, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm ET at (301) 238-5550 or usda.ams.prs@grantsolutions.gov.