ISCBG Frequently Asked Questions

Application Opens: May 7, 2026 

Application Closes: June 5, 2026 at 12:00 PM (CST) 

A project is eligible for a grant up to $75,000.

The SCBGP is a federal program administered through United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA–AMS) to support State departments of agriculture in funding projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. 

Matching funds are not required and should not be included in the application. 

Costs for awarded projects must be incurred between the following dates: 
• January 1, 2027 – Start date 
• September 29, 2029 – End date 

USDA SCBGP information: 

Specialty Crop Block Grant Program | Agricultural Marketing Service

USDA Application Resources: 

• 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (pdf)

• Project Profile Template (pdf) In order to view this document, please download and open it from your computer. 

• Project Profile Template Quick guide (pdf)

• Grant Performance Measures website

• Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (pdf)

1. Register in SAM.gov

• SAM (System for Award Management)  is a government-wide registry for vendors doing business with the Federal government, You must register your entity (you as an individual or your organization) to be able to bid on contracts or apply for federal assistance (e.g., grants, loans) from the federal government. Registration is Free. SAM registration requires annual renewal.
• This video is also a helpful resource for SAM.gov registration: https://youtu.be/fccnMFcEO5Y

2. State law requires entities to register and pre-qualify online with GATA before applying for a state grant.  Please verify that your organization/entity is in good standing with GATA and has an account on the  GATA Grantee Portal. 

3. Register on IL.amplifund.com. 

For additional help, refer to this video, which outlines the requirements for grant applicants from the State of Illinois: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB_oEc4Y2Dg

Refer to this video: https://youtu.be/fccnMFcEO5Y

• Please refer to the State of Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) State Grantee Portal New User Guide
• Refer to this overview video: https://youtu.be/tC7jr0e0_sE

Please refer to the Amplifund/Euna support area: https://il-amplifund.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/27454533681683-11-10-2025-Euna-Grants-Applicant-Portal-Application-Overview-and-Submission

This video provides an overview of how to complete the budget: https://il-amplifund.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/27454533681683-11-10-2025- Euna-Grants-Applicant-Portal-Application-Overview-and-Submission

Questions may be submitted via email at agr.iscbg@illinois.gov. The question period opened May 7, 2026. The deadline for submitting questions is 1:00 PM (CST) on June 1, 2026. Direct responses will not be provided for questions already addressed in the FAQs or as part of the posted Questions and Answers in Euna Grants.  

Questions Submission Information Section of Euna:

https://il.amplifund.com/Public/Opportunities/Details/7a9e3a6d-9f4d-4e86-899a-e62c203caf2d

The Department may paraphrase or edit questions to reduce duplication and to protect personal or private information. All answers to questions received by the submission deadline (June 1, 2026) will be posted no later than June 3, 2026. No updates to questions or answers will be made after June 3, 2026. 

Fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture). Additional information on specialty crops, including a table of examples of the most common commodities, is available at: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp/specialty-crop

Entities eligible for grants under the SCBGP are:

• Nonprofit organizations.
• Local government entities.
• Tribal governments.
• Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals.
• For profit farmers or producers who are connecting the public and/or other farmers or producers to specialty crops with educational programs. 

To encourage further expansion of this industry, and to take full advantage of the allocated funds, IDOA invites the development of projects addressing the following issues affecting the specialty crop industry: 

• Enhancing food safety;
• Improving the capacity of all entities in the specialty crop distribution chain to comply with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (21 U.S.C. Chapter 27), for example, developing “Good Agricultural Practices,” “Good Handling Practices,” “Good Manufacturing Practices,” and in costs-share arrangements for funding audits of such systems (including USDA GroupGAP) for small farmers, packers, and processors;
• Investing in specialty crop research, including research to focus on conservation and environmental outcomes;
• Developing new and improved seed varieties and specialty crops;
• Pest and disease control;
• Increasing child and adult nutrition knowledge and consumption of specialty crops;
• Improving efficiency and reducing costs of distribution systems; and
• Sustainability. 

Applications for grant funds should describe how the project potentially affects and produces measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or the public rather than a single organization, institution, or individual.  IDOA will not award grant funds for projects whose products or services promote or provide profit that solely benefits a single organization, institution, or individual.    

Examples of Eligible Projects: 

• A non-profit organization requests funds to demonstrate the viability of organic small fruit production and partners with Cooperative Extension to publicize the working model of diversification to other regional growers.
• A single farmer implements food safety practices or models on their property to meet food safety requirements and conducts a field day and training services to encourage other small family farmers to adopt the methods 

The following activities are not eligible for SCBGP funding:  

• Projects whose products or services promote or provide profit that solely benefits a single organization, institution, or individual.
• Acquiring real property (including pre-existing buildings and land purchases), or any interest therein.
• Activities that have received a Federal award from another Federal award program. 

 Examples of Ineligible Projects: 

• A company requests grant funds to purchase starter plants or equipment used to plant, cultivate, and grow a specialty crop to make a profit or to expand production of a single business or organization. 
• A single specialty crop organization requests grant funds to market its organization so that it can increase its membership.
• Funds for projects whose products or services promote or provide profit that solely benefits a single organization, institution, or individual. In addition, recipients and subrecipients cannot use grant funds to compete unfairly with companies that provide equivalent products or services. Single organizations, institutions, and individuals are encouraged to participate as project partners.

Yes, the indirect cost rate is 8.00%

Negotiated indirect cost rates above the 8% threshold, including the 15 percent de minimis indirect cost rate, cannot be used under this grant.