Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM)
ID: 358411Type: Posted
Overview

Buyer

Food and Drug Administration (HHS-FDA)

Award Range

$0 - $2M

Eligible Applicants

Private Institutions of Higher Education

Funding Category

Food and Nutrition

Funding Instrument

Cooperative Agreement

Opportunity Category

Discretionary

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

Yes
Timeline
    Description

    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is offering a funding opportunity titled the Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM) aimed at enhancing the capacities of state human and animal food testing laboratories to support an integrated food safety system. This cooperative agreement focuses on prioritized sample testing and method development in microbiology, chemistry, and radiochemistry, with the goal of improving food safety and defense capabilities. The program is crucial for preventing foodborne illnesses and ensuring the safety of food in the U.S., with approximately $25 million in funding anticipated for fiscal year 2025 and a total of 75 awards expected. Eligible applicants include accredited private institutions of higher education and government entities, with key deadlines starting with letters of intent due on January 17, 2025. For further details, interested parties can contact Lisa Pendleton at lisa.pendleton@fda.hhs.gov or refer to the funding announcement at https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-FD-25-007.html.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The Department of Health and Human Services, through the FDA, is announcing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM), aimed at enhancing state human and animal food testing laboratories' capacities in food safety. The program intends to boost capacities and capabilities through prioritized sample testing in microbiology, chemistry, and radiochemistry, alongside training and method development projects. Eligible applicants include government entities and accredited educational institutions, with a total funding of approximately $25 million anticipated for fiscal year 2025, allowing multiple applications per organization. Applications can focus on various analytical tracks, requiring adherence to specific guidelines including ISO 17025 accreditation and compliance with a designated sample guide. The grant period may extend up to five years. Key submission deadlines start on January 17, 2025, for letters of intent, with progessive application deadlines. Emphasizing cooperative agreements, this initiative reinforces a national integrated laboratory science system, crucial for preventing foodborne illnesses and enhancing food safety in the U.S.
    Similar Opportunities
    Manufactured Foods Flexible Funding Model (MF-FFM)
    Food and Drug Administration
    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is forecasting a funding opportunity titled "Manufactured Foods Flexible Funding Model (MF-FFM)" aimed at advancing a nationally integrated food safety system. This cooperative agreement seeks to support initiatives related to Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS), dietary supplement safety, and state compliance and enforcement infrastructure, with a focus on enhancing food safety practices across jurisdictions. The program is critical for ensuring that state regulatory programs maintain high-quality standards and best practices in food safety. Interested applicants, which include state, local, territorial, and tribal agencies, as well as non-profit training entities collaborating with higher education institutions, can reach out to Gordana Zuber at gordana.zuber@fda.hhs.gov or by phone at 301-348-1747 for further details. The estimated project start date is July 1, 2023, with approximately 50 awards expected under this discretionary funding opportunity.
    Flexible Funding Model-Infrastructure Development and Maintenance for State Manufactured Food Regulatory Programs (U2F) Clinical Trials Not Allowed
    Food and Drug Administration
    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is forecasting a funding opportunity titled "Flexible Funding Model-Infrastructure Development and Maintenance for State Manufactured Food Regulatory Programs (U2F)," aimed at enhancing state manufactured food regulatory programs. This cooperative agreement seeks to support the development and maintenance of Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) to ensure high-quality regulatory frameworks that improve food safety and reduce foodborne illness hazards. Eligible applicants include state, tribal, and territorial food safety programs with existing FDA food safety inspection contracts or those willing to enter into such contracts, with funding amounts ranging from $340,000 to $1,285,000 per year. Interested parties can contact Terrin Brown at terrin.brown@fda.hhs.gov or (240) 402-7610 for further information, with applications expected to align with the fiscal year 2024 timeline.
    Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards Implementation Development and Maintenance, with Mutual Reliance Initiatives Clinical Trials Not Allowed
    Food and Drug Administration
    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is offering a funding opportunity titled "Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards Implementation Development and Maintenance," aimed at enhancing state animal food regulatory programs to achieve full implementation of the Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS) within five years. Eligible applicants, specifically state governments with established animal food safety programs, must maintain a good standing FDA inspectional contract and demonstrate compliance with federal regulations, with funding available through two tracks: the AFRPS Development Track, which provides up to $300,000 per year for new programs, and the AFRPS Maintenance Track, which offers tiered funding based on performance for established programs. This initiative is critical for advancing food safety and public health by fostering collaboration between state and federal regulatory bodies, with a total funding pool of $10.6 million available for fiscal year 2025. Interested parties can contact Danielle Head at danielle.head@fda.hhs.gov for further information, with applications due periodically between July 2025 and March 2027.
    Food Safety Capacity and Infrastructure Building (U2F)
    Food and Drug Administration
    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is offering a funding opportunity titled "Food Safety Capacity and Infrastructure Building (U2F)" through a cooperative agreement aimed at enhancing food safety and public health. This initiative seeks to support the development and promotion of innovative information sharing and research tools on the Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS) collaboration/research portal, which is vital for federal-state collaboration in food safety efforts. The total estimated program funding is $1,000,000, with a single award anticipated for fiscal year 2025, and only current recipients under RFA-FD-20-023 are eligible to apply. Interested applicants can reach out to Danielle Head at danielle.head@fda.hhs.gov or call 301-796-2984 for further information.
    Retail Food Safety Regulatory Association Collaboration
    Food and Drug Administration
    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is offering a federal grant opportunity titled "Retail Food Safety Regulatory Association Collaboration" aimed at enhancing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) retail food safety programs. This cooperative agreement seeks to support non-profit national organizations affiliated with higher education institutions, focusing on reducing food-borne illness risk factors through research, intervention strategies, and other activities. The initiative is crucial for advancing a nationally integrated food safety system and alleviating the burden of foodborne illnesses. The estimated total program funding is $4 million, with approximately five awards expected, and interested applicants can contact Danielle Head at danielle.head@fda.hhs.gov or (301) 796-2984 for further information. The opportunity is open for the fiscal year 2026 and was last updated on August 4, 2025.
    Federal and State Integration Activities to Advance Cooperation and Regulatory Standards Among Animal Food Safety Regulatory Programs
    Food and Drug Administration
    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is offering a cooperative agreement grant titled "Federal and State Integration Activities to Advance Cooperation and Regulatory Standards Among Animal Food Safety Regulatory Programs." This funding opportunity aims to enhance collaboration among national feed associations and state animal food safety regulatory programs, focusing on improving regulatory and surveillance protection programs and promoting the Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS). The initiative is crucial for building a cohesive national animal food safety system through effective resource leveraging and inter-agency collaboration. Interested applicants, specifically national organizations and associations representing state animal food regulatory programs in partnership with higher education institutions, can reach out to Danielle Head at danielle.head@fda.hhs.gov for further information. The expected number of awards is one, with no cost-sharing requirement, and the opportunity is open for the fiscal year 2025.
    Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards Implementation Development and Maintenance, with Mutual Reliance Initiatives
    Food and Drug Administration
    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is forecasting a funding opportunity titled "Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards Implementation Development and Maintenance, with Mutual Reliance Initiatives." This cooperative agreement aims to enhance the capabilities of State animal food regulatory programs to fully implement the Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS) and to develop standardized processes that promote mutual reliance between federal and state regulatory efforts. The initiative is crucial for establishing a nationally integrated animal food safety system, ensuring that state programs can effectively manage animal food safety regulations. Interested organizations must meet specific eligibility criteria, including the ability to enter into a 20.88 information disclosure agreement with the FDA, and the funding amount is set at $10.6 million, with approximately 30 awards expected. For further inquiries, applicants can contact Terrin Brown at terrin.brown@fda.hhs.gov or by phone at 240-402-7610.
    FDA's Integrated Food Safety System Training Delivery and Development
    Food and Drug Administration
    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is offering a funding opportunity titled "FDA's Integrated Food Safety System Training Delivery and Development" through a cooperative agreement aimed at enhancing the nationwide Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS). This initiative is specifically designed for current recipients under RFA-FD-20-024, with the goal of advancing food safety practices and consumer protection across the country. The FDA anticipates awarding four grants in fiscal year 2025, with no cost-sharing or matching requirements. Interested applicants can reach out to Patrick Johnson, Grants Management Specialist, via email at patrick.johnson@fda.hhs.gov for further information.
    Integrated Food Safety System Regulatory and Laboratory Training System National Coordination Center
    Food and Drug Administration
    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is forecasting a grant opportunity titled "Integrated Food Safety System Regulatory and Laboratory Training System National Coordination Center," aimed at establishing a National Coordination Center (NCC) for the Regulatory and Laboratory Training System (RLTS). The selected non-profit entity will oversee the administration of the RLTS, implement strategic plans, manage communications, and facilitate stakeholder engagement to enhance training resources for food safety. This initiative is crucial for improving access to high-quality regulatory and laboratory training for both human and animal food sectors. Interested applicants can reach out to Terrin Brown at terrin.brown@fda.hhs.gov or call 240-402-7610 for further details. The grant has a funding ceiling and floor of $1.5 million, with one award expected in fiscal year 2025.
    Animal Food Regulatory Program Alliance
    Food and Drug Administration
    The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is forecasting a cooperative agreement opportunity titled "Animal Food Regulatory Program Alliance," aimed at enhancing the national food safety system through improved collaboration among federal and state agencies. The primary objective of this program is to support the development of a national integrated animal food safety system, which includes sharing best practices, conducting training programs, and advancing the Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS). This initiative is crucial for ensuring public health and consumer protection in the regulation of manufactured foods. Interested national associations or organizations that represent state animal food regulatory programs can apply for funding, with a total award amount of $600,000. For further inquiries, applicants may contact Terrin Brown at terrin.brown@fda.hhs.gov or call 240-402-7610. The fiscal year for this opportunity is 2025.