Flexible Funding Model - Infrastructure Development and Maintenance for State Manufactured Food Regulatory Programs (U18) | RFA FD 18 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA FD 18 001

The Flexible Funding Model - Infrastructure Development and Maintenance for State Manufactured Food Regulatory Programs (U18) grant opportunity (RFA-FD-18-001) is a discretionary funding program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It uses a cooperative agreement mechanism, which generally means the FDA expects to have substantial involvement with awardees during the project period (for example, through collaboration, technical assistance, and coordinated planning), rather than simply providing funds with minimal interaction. The overall purpose is to strengthen and better integrate state-level manufactured food regulatory work into a nationally integrated food safety system (often referred to as IFSS), so that prevention, surveillance, response, and regulatory oversight operate more consistently and effectively across jurisdictions.

The core outcome the FDA is aiming for is stronger state and territorial infrastructure for manufactured food oversight, with programs that align to national expectations and can coordinate efficiently during routine operations and emergencies. The funding is designed to support several major program areas that are central to modern food safety regulation. First, it supports Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS), which are FDA-developed standards intended to help state programs build and maintain a high-quality, consistent regulatory system for manufactured foods. Second, it supports Rapid Response Teams (RRT), which are capabilities and trained personnel structures that allow jurisdictions to investigate and respond quickly to foodborne illness outbreaks and other food emergencies. Third, it supports Food Protection Task Force (FPTF) programs, which typically focus on cross-agency coordination, planning, training, and collaboration among partners involved in food protection. In addition to these established program components, the opportunity also allows for special projects, giving jurisdictions some flexibility to address unique needs, emerging risks, or targeted improvements that still advance the larger integrated food safety goals.

Eligibility is centered on governmental entities, specifically state governments and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The listing also indicates additional eligible applicants may be possible as described in the full announcement under the eligibility clarification section. Importantly, for the purposes of this announcement, the term "State" is used broadly to encompass all eligible organizations defined in the eligibility section, not only the 50 states. That broader framing is meant to support consistent national coverage and ensure that eligible jurisdictions responsible for food regulatory functions can participate.

The funding activity category is listed under consumer protection, food, and nutrition (CFDA 93.367). The program anticipated making around 50 awards, with an award ceiling listed at $18,000,000. The funding opportunity was originally created on November 20, 2017, and it used multiple application deadlines over several years, with due dates of March 1, 2018, and then December 1 each year from 2018 through 2021 (all due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time). This multi-deadline structure suggests the FDA intended the program to be accessible across multiple cycles, supporting ongoing development and maintenance of regulatory capacity rather than a one-time build.

In practical terms, this opportunity is about helping state and eligible jurisdictional partners build and sustain the people, systems, and coordination needed for manufactured food regulatory programs to function at a consistently high level nationwide. By investing in MFRPS alignment, response readiness through RRTs, collaborative infrastructure through FPTFs, and targeted special projects, the FDA’s larger objective is to improve uniformity, reduce gaps between jurisdictions, and ensure faster, more coordinated action to prevent and respond to food safety problems across the country.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration in the consumer protection, food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Flexible Funding Model - Infrastructure Development and Maintenance for State Manufactured Food Regulatory Programs (U18)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.367.
• This funding opportunity was created on Nov 20, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 02, 2021 Multiple deadlines March 1, 2018, by 1159 PM Eastern Time. December 1, 2018, by 1159 PM Eastern Time. December 1, 2019, by 1159 PM Eastern Time. December 1, 2020, by 1159 PM Eastern Time. December 1, 2021, by 1159 PM Eastern Time.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $18,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 50 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for RFA FD 18 001

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