Stakeholder Toolkit

USDA Pandemic Response and Safety Grants 

Registration & Application Support

Introduction

Applications will open for the USDA Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program 

on October 6, 2021, and close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 22, 2021. 

Approximately $650 million, minus administrative expenses, is available to fund applications 

through this program. You can access the PRS Grant Program website at https://usdaprs.grantsolutions.gov. 

• As part of USDA Pandemic Assistance, we are seeking applications for the PRS Grant 

Program to support agricultural stakeholders who haven’t yet received substantial

federal financial assistance to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.

• The program will help small businesses in certain commodity areas including small 

specialty crop and aquaculture producers, food processors and distributors, and farmers 

markets.

• The list of eligible entities types, using North American Industry Classification System

(NAICS) codes is available on the Grant Solutions web portal and in the Request for 

Applications (RFA).

• Entities interested in applying for a grant through the PRS Grant Program must have an

active DUNS number through Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). D&B created a custom 

landing page for the PRS Grant Program to support this process:

https://www.dnb.com/pandemicresponse.

• Applicants should NOT register with SAM.gov prior to submitting an application. Once 

USDA offers awards to applicants later this fall, USDA will work with entities on 

SAM.gov registration prior to finalizing the award. 

• The potential applicant pool for this grant program is large and unprecedented for a 

Federal grant offering. The USDA, GSA, and HHS are working together to ensure a 

smooth application process for groups that are interested in the PRS Grant Program. 

Application

The application is a three-step process: verify eligibility, obtain a DUNS number, and apply. 

The graphics below are posted live on the Grant Solutions web portal and stakeholders can 

use them for outreach.
Step 1: Eligibility Verification

The first step for applicants is to verify eligibility. Eligible applicants include small specialty 

crop and aquaculture producers, food processors and distributors, and farmers markets who are 

small businesses. The criteria for business types and size is described in the Eligible Industry 

Table at https://usda-prs.grantsolutions.gov/usda?id=usda_eligibility_info. 

• Need help understanding the criteria? View this video tutorial at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUFSqgKst3Y. 

Step 2: DUNS Registration

The second step in the application process is to secure a DUNS number. The 9-digit unique 

DUNS number will be assigned, free of charge, to a valid business entity based on their Legal

Business Name and physical location.

• Don’t know if you already have a DUNS number? Look it up

at: https://support.dnb.com/PandemicResponse.

• Need a DUNS number? Apply at:

https://support.dnb.com/PandemicResponse.

• Unclear on the process? View this video tutorial at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh_VQXUgeMA. 

Step 3: Apply

USDA simplified the application for the PRS Grant Program. The application takes 10

minutes. To apply, visit: https://usda-prs.grantsolutions.gov. 

• Need help applying? View this video tutorial at: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEyhED5X4cA. 

SAMPLE EMAIL TO STAKEHOLDERS

Subject line: Apply today for USDA’s Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program

Body: The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin accepting applications for the Pandemic 

Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program on October 6, 2021. USDA is seeking applications to 

support agricultural stakeholders who haven’t yet received substantial federal financial assistance 

to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. The program will help small businesses in certain commodity 

areas including small specialty crop and aquaculture producers, food processors and distributors, 

and farmers markets. 

Interested? Follow this three-step process: 1) verify your eligibility, 2) obtain a DUNS 

number, and 3) apply at https://usda-prs.grantsolutions.gov. 
USDA Help Desk

We can help! Our support team is available to guide you through the application process.

Business hours are 9 AM – 9 PM EST. Please send an email to usda.ams.prs@grantsolutions.gov

or call (301) 238-5550.

Social Media Tweets

• Interested in a USDA Pandemic Response and Safety Grant? Register for a

DUNS number in 5 minutes to get prepared! Instructions at:

https://support.dnb.com/?CUST=PandemicResponse.

• Are you a small specialty crop producer or food processor with COVID-19-related

expenses? Apply today for a USDA Pandemic Response and Safety Grant in 3 easy

steps!

• Similar Tweets that are unique for farmers markets and other eligible entities.

Shareable Resources

• Tutorial videos are available at: https://usda-prs.grantsolutions.gov/usda?id=usda_help. 

• Frequently asked questions on eligibility, application process, and the USDA approval 

process are available at: https://usda-prs.grantsolutions.gov/usda?id=usda_faqs. 

• A general overview factsheet is available at: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/PandemicResponseandSafetyFactShe

et.pdf. 

• For resources in Spanish | Para recursos en español de como aplicar al programa PRS, 

favor visitar: www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/prs.