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.Apply for RFA FD 18 001
- 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).
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FAQs: Flexible Funding Model - Infrastructure Development and Maintenance for State Manufactured Food Regulatory Programs (U18) (RFA-FD-18-001)
What is this grant opportunity?
The Flexible Funding Model - Infrastructure Development and Maintenance for State Manufactured Food Regulatory Programs (U18) (RFA-FD-18-001) is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The program is designed to help strengthen manufactured food regulatory programs at the state and other eligible jurisdiction levels.
Which federal agency is offering the funding?
The funding is offered by HHS through the FDA.
What type of funding mechanism is used (and what does it mean)?
This opportunity uses a cooperative agreement mechanism (U18). In a cooperative agreement, the FDA expects substantial involvement during the project period. That typically includes collaboration, technical assistance, and coordinated planning with awardees, rather than simply providing funds with minimal interaction.
What is the overall purpose of the program?
The overall purpose is to strengthen and better integrate state-level manufactured food regulatory work into a nationally integrated food safety system (IFSS). The intent is to help prevention, surveillance, response, and regulatory oversight operate more consistently and effectively across jurisdictions.
What outcome is the FDA trying to achieve with this funding?
The core outcome 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.
What major program areas can this funding support?
The opportunity is designed to support several central food safety program areas, including:
- Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS)
- Rapid Response Teams (RRT)
- Food Protection Task Force (FPTF) programs
- Special projects (to address unique needs, emerging risks, or targeted improvements that support integrated food safety goals)
What are Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS)?
MFRPS are FDA-developed standards intended to help state programs build and maintain a high-quality, consistent regulatory system for manufactured foods.
What are Rapid Response Teams (RRT), and what do they do?
RRTs are capabilities and trained personnel structures that allow jurisdictions to investigate and respond quickly to foodborne illness outbreaks and other food emergencies.
What are Food Protection Task Force (FPTF) programs?
FPTF programs typically focus on cross-agency coordination, planning, training, and collaboration among partners involved in food protection.
Are special projects allowed under this funding opportunity?
Yes. In addition to established components like MFRPS, RRT, and FPTF, the opportunity allows special projects. These are intended to give jurisdictions flexibility to address unique needs, emerging risks, or targeted improvements, as long as they advance broader integrated food safety goals.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is centered on governmental entities, specifically state governments and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The listing also indicates that additional eligible applicants may be possible, as described in the full announcement under the eligibility clarification section.
Does the term "State" mean only the 50 U.S. states?
No. 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.
What is the program trying to improve across jurisdictions?
The program is intended to improve uniformity, reduce gaps between jurisdictions, and support faster, more coordinated action to prevent and respond to food safety problems nationwide.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated making around 50 awards.
What is the maximum award amount listed?
The award ceiling is listed at $18,000,000.
What is the funding activity category and CFDA number?
The funding activity category is consumer protection, food, and nutrition, and the CFDA listing is 93.367.
When was the funding opportunity originally created?
The opportunity was originally created on November 20, 2017.
What were the application due dates?
The opportunity used multiple application deadlines over several years. The due dates included:
- March 1, 2018
- December 1 each year from 2018 through 2021
What time zone applied to the submission deadlines?
Applications were due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
What does the multi-deadline structure suggest about the program?
The 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.
How does this funding relate to a nationally integrated food safety system (IFSS)?
The funding is intended to strengthen and integrate state and eligible jurisdiction manufactured food regulatory functions into the IFSS, helping prevention, surveillance, response, and regulatory oversight work more consistently and effectively across jurisdictions.
In practical terms, what is this opportunity helping jurisdictions build or maintain?
In practical terms, the opportunity is about helping jurisdictions build and sustain the people, systems, and coordination needed for manufactured food regulatory programs to function at a consistently high level nationwide, including readiness for routine operations and emergencies.
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