Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA FD 16 016
Apply for RFA FD 16 016
- The HHS-FDA in the consumer protection, food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Development, Implementation, and Management of a Funding System to Advance Conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS) (U18)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.103.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 29, 2016 and posted on Mar 29, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 31, 2016. (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 $2,420,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity titled "Development, Implementation, and Management of a Funding System to Advance Conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS) (U18)" is a cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (HHS-FDA). Its central purpose is to create and run a structured funding program that helps retail food regulatory agencies across the country strengthen how well they meet the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards, often shortened to VNRFRPS or the Retail Program Standards. These standards are designed to promote consistent, high-quality food safety regulation at the retail level, and the opportunity focuses on making progress measurable and sustainable over time.
Rather than funding many individual state or local agencies directly, FDA intends to make a single award to one national association or organization. That recipient would then build, implement, and manage a subaward system through which state, local, tribal, and territorial retail food regulatory programs can apply for and receive funds. In practice, this means the main awardee acts as the administrator of a national pass-through funding program, handling tasks like designing application processes, setting eligibility and review criteria, distributing funds, tracking progress, and ensuring accountability. The end goal is not only short-term project completion, but long-term improvement in how retail food safety programs operate and how closely they align with the VNRFRPS framework.
The types of activities supported through subawards are described broadly as projects and training that enhance conformance with the Retail Program Standards. This can include capacity-building work that helps agencies improve core program elements such as inspection quality, standardization and training of inspectors, program assessment, data collection and analysis, and other foundational systems that make retail food regulation more consistent and effective. The emphasis on training signals that FDA is interested in strengthening the workforce and the repeatable processes behind inspections and compliance activities, not just one-time equipment purchases or isolated initiatives. The structure also suggests an expectation that improvements will be tracked against the standards and that the funded work will translate into demonstrable advancement in conformance.
This opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and uses a cooperative agreement (U18) mechanism, which typically implies substantial involvement by the federal agency compared to a standard grant. While the summary text does not lay out the specific roles, cooperative agreements generally mean FDA would likely collaborate with the awardee on planning, oversight, and performance expectations to make sure the national subaward program aligns with federal goals for improving retail food safety regulatory systems.
From an eligibility standpoint, the direct applicant for the main award must be a nonprofit organization, either with IRS 501(c)(3) status or without 501(c)(3) status, as long as it is not an institution of higher education. Although government retail food regulatory programs are the intended ultimate beneficiaries, they are positioned here as subaward applicants rather than direct applicants to FDA for this particular funding announcement. The single expected award reinforces that FDA is seeking one national-level entity capable of administering a competitive and well-managed subgrant program.
Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number RFA FD 16 016 and the CFDA number 93.103. The award ceiling listed is $2,420,000, with one award anticipated. The opportunity was posted and created on March 29, 2016, and the closing date was May 31, 2016. The activity category is listed under consumer protection, food and nutrition, and health, reflecting the public health focus of retail food safety oversight.
Overall, the opportunity is best understood as an effort to scale improvement of retail food regulatory programs nationwide by investing in a centralized, professionally managed funding system. By routing funds through a national association or organization, FDA is aiming to create a consistent, repeatable process for awarding support, providing training and project resources where they are most needed, and driving sustained progress toward conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards across state, local, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Development, Implementation, and Management of a Funding System to Advance Conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS) (U18)."
Which federal agency is offering this funding?
This is a cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (HHS-FDA).
What is the main purpose of the award?
The main purpose is to create, implement, and manage a structured funding program that helps retail food regulatory agencies strengthen and sustain their conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS), also called the Retail Program Standards.
What are the VNRFRPS (Retail Program Standards) in this context?
They are voluntary national standards designed to promote consistent, high-quality food safety regulation at the retail level. The funding system supported by this award is intended to help agencies make measurable, sustainable progress toward aligning their programs with these standards over time.
Is this opportunity intended to fund many agencies directly through FDA?
No. FDA intends to make a single award to one national association or organization, which would then administer a subaward (pass-through) system for state, local, tribal, and territorial retail food regulatory programs.
How many awards does FDA expect to make?
One award is anticipated.
What is the maximum (ceiling) amount for the award?
The award ceiling listed is $2,420,000.
What is the funding mechanism and what does it imply?
The mechanism is a cooperative agreement (U18). Cooperative agreements typically involve substantial federal involvement compared to a standard grant, meaning FDA would likely collaborate with the recipient on planning, oversight, and performance expectations so the national subaward program aligns with federal goals.
What does "discretionary funding" mean here?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding, meaning it is a competitively awarded program rather than a mandatory or entitlement-type funding stream.
Who is eligible to apply as the direct applicant to FDA?
The direct applicant for the main award must be a nonprofit organization, either with IRS 501(c)(3) status or without 501(c)(3) status, as long as it is not an institution of higher education.
Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply as the main awardee?
No. The eligible applicant types specified exclude institutions of higher education.
Can a state, local, tribal, or territorial retail food regulatory program apply directly to FDA under this opportunity?
Not as the main applicant. Government retail food regulatory programs are described as the intended ultimate beneficiaries, positioned as subaward applicants under the funding system run by the single national awardee.
What is the role of the single national awardee?
The awardee would act as the administrator of a national pass-through funding program. Responsibilities include building, implementing, and managing the subaward system, such as designing application processes, setting eligibility and review criteria, distributing funds, tracking progress, and ensuring accountability.
What kinds of activities are expected to be supported through subawards?
Subawards are intended to support projects and training that enhance conformance with the Retail Program Standards. The activities are described broadly and may include capacity-building work tied to core program elements.
What examples of capacity-building areas are mentioned?
The description mentions improving inspection quality, standardization and training of inspectors, program assessment, data collection and analysis, and other foundational systems that make retail food regulation more consistent and effective.
Is training an important emphasis of this opportunity?
Yes. The inclusion of training indicates interest in strengthening the workforce and establishing repeatable processes behind inspections and compliance activities, rather than focusing only on one-time purchases or isolated projects.
What is the intended outcome of funding under this opportunity?
The goal is long-term improvement in how retail food safety programs operate and how closely they align with the VNRFRPS framework, with progress expected to be measurable and sustainable over time.
How is accountability and progress tracking expected to work?
The awardee is expected to track progress and ensure accountability across subawards. The opportunity also suggests that improvements will be tracked against the Retail Program Standards and translate into demonstrable advancement in conformance.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is RFA FD 16 016.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 93.103.
When was the opportunity posted, and what were the open and close dates?
The opportunity was posted/created on March 29, 2016, and the closing date was May 31, 2016.
What activity categories are associated with this opportunity?
The activity category is listed under consumer protection, food and nutrition, and health.
Why is FDA using a centralized, national pass-through approach?
Based on the description, FDA is aiming to scale nationwide improvement by investing in a centralized, professionally managed funding system that can provide a consistent, repeatable process for awarding support, providing training and project resources, and driving sustained progress toward conformance across jurisdictions.
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| Funding Opportunity |
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| Evaluation of Aberrant Observations and Their Impact on Bioequivalence Assessment (U01) Apply for RFA FD 16 018 Funding Number: RFA FD 16 018 Agency: HHS-FDA Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Therapeutic Areas for Data Standards Development (U01) Apply for RFA FD 16 020 Funding Number: RFA FD 16 020 Agency: HHS-FDA Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Bioequivalence of Topical Products: Comparing Dermal Pharmacokinetics by Microdialysis or Microperfusion Techniques (U01) Apply for RFA FD 16 028 Funding Number: RFA FD 16 028 Agency: HHS-FDA Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Integrating Supersaturation-precipitation Mechanisms in Mechanistic Oral Absorption Models for Predicting In- vivo Performance of Associated Formulations (U01) Apply for RFA FD 16 025 Funding Number: RFA FD 16 025 Agency: HHS-FDA Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Study of Fluid Amounts Taken with Oral Drug Products (U01) Apply for RFA FD 16 033 Funding Number: RFA FD 16 033 Agency: HHS-FDA Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Refine, Complete, and Publish Data Standards for Animal Efficacy Studies and Natural History Studies for Animal Rule Applications (U01) Apply for RFA FD 16 008 Funding Number: RFA FD 16 008 Agency: HHS-FDA Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Bioequivalence of Topical Products: Comparing Epidermal Pharmacokinetics by Spectroscopic Imaging Techniques (U01) Apply for RFA FD 16 029 Funding Number: RFA FD 16 029 Agency: HHS-FDA Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Analgesic, Anesthetic and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks (ACTTION) (U01) Apply for RFA FD 16 047 Funding Number: RFA FD 16 047 Agency: HHS-FDA Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Pediatric Anesthesia Safety Initiative (PASI) (U01) Apply for RFA FD 16 037 Funding Number: RFA FD 16 037 Agency: HHS-FDA Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| FDA Drug Residue Prevention Program (U18) Apply for RFA FD 18 006 Funding Number: RFA FD 18 006 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $175,000 |
| Development, Implementation, and Management of a Funding System to support the Grade “A” Milk Safety Program and National Shellfish Sanitation Program (U18) Apply for RFA FD 19 004 Funding Number: RFA FD 19 004 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| National Project to Support and Promote Consistent Implementation of the Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption (U18) Apply for RFA FD 19 023 Funding Number: RFA FD 19 023 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Revision Applications - FSMA Human Foods Preventive Controls Implementation Expansion Supplement to RFA-FD-18-001 (U18 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 20 091 Funding Number: PAR 20 091 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| CFD Models to aid the development of generic inhalation products Apply for FOR FD 20 023 Funding Number: FOR FD 20 023 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Collaborating Centers of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (U01) Apply for RFA FD 16 036 Funding Number: RFA FD 16 036 Agency: Food and Drug Administration Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Renewal - Integrated Food Safety System Online Research and Collaboration Development (U18) Clinical Trials Not Allowed Apply for RFA FD 20 023 Funding Number: RFA FD 20 023 Agency: Food and Drug Administration Category: Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition, Health Funding Amount: $1,200,000 |
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