Federal and University Partnership to Improve the Safety of Seafood from the Gulf of America

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), number RFA-FD-26-014, for a single-source cooperative agreement titled "Federal and University Partnership to Improve the Safety of Seafood from the Gulf of America." Eligible for this sole-source award is the Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium/Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL). The partnership aims to enhance seafood safety in the Gulf of Mexico by facilitating collaborative research, scientific personnel exchanges, educational workshops, and graduate student internships. Joint efforts will focus on scientific intellectual exchanges, sharing unique facilities, and implementing cooperative international initiatives, particularly regarding harmful algal blooms. The FDA intends to commit up to $125,000 in total costs for fiscal year 2026 to support one award. The project features a one-year initial budget period with up to four additional years of recommended non-competitive support, totaling a maximum project period of five years and $625,000 in overall funding. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by August 21, 2026. Submissions will undergo an FDA objective review process evaluated on significance, investigator credentials, innovation, scientific approach, and the research environment.