Open - competitive applications from eligible Connecticut school food authorities; due November 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Connecticut FY2026-2028 NSLP Equipment Assistance Grants – RFP 972 (Up to $15,000; November 13)
Connecticut school food authorities participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs may seek more than $1,000 and up to $15,000 per SFA for qualifying food service equipment. Applications are due November 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time by email. Total statewide competition funds are $208,888.
FundingGreater than $1,000 and up to $15,000 PER SFA; $208,888 total statewide program pool (NOT individual award). Award amounts may be prorated.
DeadlineNovember 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. No extensions. Email application to Sean.Fogarty@ct.gov.
Last verified2026-10-31
Required next actionRead official CSDE FY2026-28 RFP #972. Email signed application, SFA and food service director signatures, assurances, one proposal and budget page per site, itemized budget and narrative, equipment details and mandatory written vendor quotations to Sean.Fogarty@ct.gov by November 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. CSDE does not grant extensions.
Broad Eligibility
Connecticut school food authorities (SFAs) participating in NSLP and SBP. Priority for schools without a prior NSLP equipment award within the last year. This is applicant financial assistance, not a purchasing bid.
Atlas Analysis
Research verified October 31, 2026 against controlling 24-page CSDE RFP #972 and 2026 official application listing. A genuine competitive applicant grant for eligible Connecticut school food authorities participating in NSLP and SBP, not a vendor procurement. Applicant awards exceed $1,000 and are capped at $15,000 per SFA; $208,888 is the total competition pool. Program priority favors schools without a previous award in the last year. Deadline November 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time with no extensions. Signed documents and written equipment vendor quotations required. Reimbursement through eGMS after Fund Request. Eligible equipment and installation-related costs subject to federal procurement rules; general renovations and construction excluded. No fixed match percentage identified. Grant period October 16, 2026 to September 30, 2028; obligate by January 5, 2028.
Connecticut FY2026-2028 National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants – RFP 972
The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), Bureau of Child Nutrition Programs, is accepting competitive financial-assistance applications from eligible Connecticut school food authorities (SFAs) for food service equipment that supports healthier meals, food safety, cafeteria efficiency, and participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). This is a grant to qualifying SFAs, not a state equipment-purchasing contract.
Funding and eligibility
Individual applicant grants are greater than $1,000 and up to $15,000 per SFA. The $208,888 figure is the total statewide funding pool, not an individual award. CSDE may limit or prorate award amounts. Applicants must be eligible Connecticut SFAs participating in NSLP and SBP. Priority is given to schools that did not receive an NSLP Equipment Assistance Grant in the previous year.
Deadline and required submission
Complete proposals must be received by November 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. CSDE states that it will not grant deadline extensions. Email the signed application documents to Sean.Fogarty@ct.gov. Applicants should follow the complete official RFP submission instructions and checklist, including the food service director and authorized SFA representative signatures, signed assurances, proposed equipment description, equipment vendor quote(s), proposed budget, and budget narrative. A proposal without written equipment and related-work quotes will not be scored. Submit one proposal and budget page per school site, subject to the $15,000 total per-SFA limit.
Eligible expenses and limitations
Eligible food service equipment must have a value greater than $1,000. Reasonable delivery, installation, testing, disposal of old equipment, and minor alterations needed to install or operate new equipment may be included. General renovations, construction, or expansion of a food service area are not allowed. Grantees must comply with applicable federal, state, and local equipment-procurement requirements. Reimbursement follows a Fund Request through Connecticut eGrants Management System (eGMS); award letters are executed in eGMS. No mandatory fixed matching percentage was identified in the controlling RFP.
Grant period and accountability
The grant period is October 16, 2026, through September 30, 2028. Awarded funds must be fully obligated by January 5, 2028, and projects and eGMS requests completed by September 30, 2028. An SFA unable to obligate its full grant must notify CSDE by February 4, 2028.
Read the complete official CSDE RFP #972 and application forms and check the official 2026 RFP listing for amendments. Program questions: Sean Fogarty, 860-807-2055, Sean.Fogarty@ct.gov.
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Source verificationOfficial government source · portal.ct.govAtlas last verified this record 2026-10-31. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗
