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Transportation and Marketing Program

Grant Opportunities

Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program

The Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program provides funding to help small scale specialty 

crop producers and processors, other select producers, meat and other processors, distributors, and 

farmers markets recover costs incurred by responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, including for measures 

to protect workers. This program is authorized and funded under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 

2021 (Pub. L. No. 116—260). 

Note: All applications submitted before the deadline will be considered for funding. Applications will not be 

reviewed on a first come first served basis.

Visit the PRS Portal for more information and to apply for the USDA PRS Grant Program!

Important Dates:

Application Period Opens: October 6, 2021

Application Period Closes: 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 22, 2021 

Who Is Eligible?

USDA is targeting support to small scale specialty crop producers and processors, other select producers, 

meat and other processors, and distributors as noted in the Eligible Industry Table, and farmers markets. 

The Eligible Industry Table details the different small business size qualifications for each eligible industry.

Eligible entity types include:

• Small Businesses

• Nonprofits 
Agricultural Marketing Service

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

September 2021 / www.ams.usda.gov

What Is the Maximum Grant Amount?

The minimum funding request amount is $1,500. The maximum funding request amount is $20,000. No cost 

sharing or matching funds are required.

What Can I Use the Funding For?

Grants will cover activities associated with:

• Workplace Safety: Implementing workplace safety measures to protect against COVID-19

 Purchase of personal protective equipment, thermometers, cleaning supplies, sanitizer or hand 

washing stations

 Installation and purchase of air filters or new signage

• Market Pivots: Implementing market pivots to protect against COVID–19

 Development and implementation of online platforms

 Creation of online or print materials to communicate market pivots

• Retrofitting Facilities: Retrofitting facilities for worker and consumer safety to protect

against COVID–19

 Installation and purchase of protective barriers made of plexiglass or plastic sheeting, walk up 

windows, heat lamps/heaters, fans, tents, propane, weights, tables, chairs and lighting

• Transportation: Providing additional transportation options to maintain social distancing and worker 

and consumer safety to protect against COVID-19

 Additional transportation services for workers

 New delivery routes or distribution services

• Worker Housing: Providing worker housing that protects against COVID-19

 Additional housing resources/services to maintain social distancing or to allow for quarantining 

of new or exposed employees

• Medical: Providing health services to protect workers against COVID-19

 Vaccinations, testing or healthcare treatment of infected employees, including any paid leave 

due to COVID-19 infection

Contact Us 

For questions about this program, please email usda.ams.prs@grantsolutions.gov or call (301) 238-5550. 

Help desk hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. 

Photo credit: Adobe Stock