Flexible Funding Model - Advancing Domestic Mutual Reliance Through Strengthened Infrastructure Development and Maintenance for Manufactured Food Regulatory Programs

The Food and Drug Administration is offering a cooperative agreement under solicitation PAR-27-017 to strengthen the infrastructure of manufactured food regulatory programs. The primary goal is to ensure these programs achieve and maintain conformance with the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) and foster mutual reliance with the FDA. The initiative supports new programs in developing foundational infrastructure and assists existing programs in maintaining high-quality operations through audit and training programs. This collaboration aims to improve food safety oversight by sharing regulatory data across domains such as inspections, enforcement actions, and consumer complaints. Eligible applicants include State Governments and U.S. Territory or Possession manufactured food regulatory programs, with a total program funding of 16 million dollars and an expected 45 awards. The project period lasts up to five years, with an initial year of support and four subsequent years contingent upon performance and funding. Funding is tiered into three levels, with Level 3 applicants receiving up to 450,000 dollars annually in years three through five. Applications are evaluated by an Objective Review Committee based on scientific and technical merit, significance, technical approach, collaboration, organizational capacity, and sustainability. Required submissions include a project abstract, a 30-page project narrative, and a budget narrative, with mandatory registrations in SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. Recipients must also implement cybersecurity plans modeled after the NIST framework and ensure at least two key personnel attend the annual Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Alliance meeting.