FY 2026 Mobile Payments Solution for SNAP Authorized Farmers – Cooperative Agreement
🏛 Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS1)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for nonprofits and institutes of higher education working to expand SNAP access through mobile payment technology.
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and accredited colleges or universities. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to develop or facilitate mobile payment solutions for SNAP-authorized farmers and farmers markets.
The grant supports projects that enable direct marketing farmers and farmers markets to accept SNAP/EBT payments. This includes technology development, farmer outreach, and connections between SNAP recipients and agricultural producers.
Projects run for three years. Up to three awards will be made from a $4 million total pool, with individual grants reaching up to $4 million.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) works to nourish those in need through financially sound programs that promote health and work, as well as champion the productivity of American agriculture. FNA plans to award the Mobile Payments Solution for SNAP Authorized Farmers, Cooperative Agreement. The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to create new opportunities to connect America’s farmers to USDA’s nutrition assistance programs. Specifically, the cooperative agreement is intended to enable SNAP-authorized direct marketing farmers (DMFs) and farmers markets (FMs), as necessary, to determine, at no or little cost to them, whether adding SNAP to their business model has a positive cost-benefit value. It also aims to provide SNAP recipients with greater access to American agriculture by allowing them to use their benefits to purchase foods from DMFs operating at physical FM locations and via other direct marketing avenues (e.g., roadside stands, pick-your-own), or through eCommerce platforms. The cooperator will use resources from this cooperative agreement to facilitate the development of a shared vision and set of approaches for supporting DMFs and FMs in becoming SNAP authorized; enabling the processing of EBT transactions through technology resources that include a secure SNAP Mobile Transaction Processing Application (The App) or potentially a secure eCommerce platform; and assisting farmers with direct marketing opportunities that result in connections with SNAP households and participants in other Federal nutrition assistance programs. FNA announces, through this Request for Applications (RFA), the availability of a maximum of $4,000,000 to be used over a three-year period for up to three awards as cooperative agreements. Only non-profit organizations and institutes of higher education are eligible to participate in this competition.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Organizational Capacity Statement
- Letters of Commitment from Partner Farmers/Farmers Markets
- Proof of 501(c)(3) status or institutional accreditation
- DUNS Number and SAM Registration
Program contact
- 👤 Dawn Washington Grants Officer
- 📧 dawn.addison@usda.gov
- 📞 703-305-2450
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 10.545 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$4,000,000
-
$3,500,000
-
$3,279,986
-
$10,981
-
$0
-
$0
Top States by Funding
- VA 4 awards $10.8M
- NJ 1 awards $0.0M
- PR 1 awards $0.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.545). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $3,500,000 | |
| 2025 | $4,000,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $4,000,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Only 501(c)(3) nonprofits and institutes of higher education can apply. Applicants must have capacity to support SNAP authorization for farmers and farmers markets.
What is the deadline and funding amount?
The deadline is July 31, 2026. Awards range from $1 million to $4 million per grant, with up to three awards available over three years.
What activities does the grant support?
Projects should facilitate SNAP authorization for direct marketing farmers and farmers markets, develop mobile payment technology, and connect SNAP recipients to local food sources.
Is cost sharing required?
No cost sharing is required for this grant. The agency covers the full project cost.
How competitive is this grant?
Competition is moderate to high. Only three awards will be made nationally. Strong applications will show clear capacity in agricultural partnerships, technology implementation, and SNAP program knowledge.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate strong partnerships with farmers, farmers markets, and SNAP program administrators before applying. Start building relationships early.
- Show realistic cost-benefit analysis for farmers adopting SNAP. Prove that your solution adds value to their business operations.
- Include letters of commitment from at least 2-3 farmers markets or direct marketing farms willing to pilot the solution.
- Detail your technology approach clearly. Explain whether you'll develop new systems, adapt existing platforms, or partner with fintech vendors.
- Address equity explicitly. Show how your solution reaches underserved SNAP recipients and small to mid-size farmers in rural and urban areas.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating the operational complexity of SNAP authorization and EBT processing compliance. Failing to include farmer voices and willingness to participate in your project design. Proposing technology solutions without understanding actual farmers market cash flow constraints and technical capacity.
Similar grants
- CLOSING SOON FY2026 SNAP Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives – Cooperative Agreement — Food and Nutrition Service
- OPEN 2027 Market Access Program — Foreign Agricultural Service
- OPEN 2027 Emerging Markets Program — Foreign Agricultural Service
- OPEN 2027 Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program — Foreign Agricultural Service
- OPEN FY 2026 FDPIR NUTRITION EDUCATION — Food and Nutrition Service