Expanding FDAs Produce Safety and Instructor Skills Training under the Food Safety Modernization Act | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title and funding opportunity number for this grant?

The opportunity is titled "Expanding FDA's Produce Safety and Instructor Skills Training under the Food Safety Modernization Act" and the Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-FD-15-041.

What type of funding mechanism is this?

This is a discretionary cooperative agreement issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A cooperative agreement generally indicates substantial involvement and close coordination between FDA and the awardee during performance.

Which FDA offices administer this opportunity?

The opportunity is administered through FDA's Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA), specifically the Office of Resource Management (ORM) and the Division of Human Resource Development (DHRD).

What is the main purpose of the cooperative agreement?

The core purpose is to strengthen the national regulatory workforce responsible for implementing and enforcing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), with a specific emphasis on produce safety regulations that expand and update inspection and investigation responsibilities on produce farms.

What are the two main goals of the program?

The program has two connected goals: (1) develop practical training courses and related materials for FDA and state/local regulatory staff within the Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS), especially those conducting produce farm investigations and inspections under FSMA; and (2) build "train-the-trainer" capacity by improving adult-learning and instructor skills among IFSS regulatory subject matter experts so they can deliver consistent, effective instruction.

Who is the intended audience for the training and materials developed under this opportunity?

The training is intended for FDA and state/local regulatory staff operating within the Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS), particularly those who will conduct produce farm investigations and inspections under FSMA's produce safety framework.

What does "train the trainers" mean in this grant?

It refers to developing adult-learning and instructor skills among regulatory subject matter experts so they can teach FSMA produce safety requirements and related inspection/investigation practices clearly, consistently, and effectively to professional audiences.

What policy authority or FSMA provision is tied to this opportunity?

A key driver is FSMA Section 209, which directs FDA to improve training for State, Local, Territorial, and Tribal food safety officials. Section 209 also tasks FDA with setting standards and administering training and education programs to support a competent workforce performing comparable work to consistent standards nationwide.

Why is this structured as a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant?

Based on the description, the cooperative agreement structure aligns with FSMA Section 209's emphasis on standards and coordinated workforce development, and it is intended for close coordination between FDA and awardees rather than a hands-off relationship.

How much funding is available under this opportunity?

The estimated total program funding is $2,000,000. The award ceiling is $2,000,000 and the award floor is $500,000.

How many awards did FDA anticipate making?

FDA anticipated making two awards.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the information provided.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

The activity category is listed under Food and Nutrition/Health.

What CFDA number is associated with this program?

The program is associated with CFDA number 93.103 (Food and Drug Administration Research).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited. The competition is restricted to organizations already funded under the earlier program "Assisting the Integrated Food Safety Systems National Food/Feed Training Program (U54), RFA-FD-11-028." Eligible applicant types listed include state governments and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (excluding institutions of higher education), but the funding opportunity indicates it will be competed among the currently funded U54 grantees from that earlier initiative.

Are institutions of higher education eligible to apply?

The listed eligible nonprofit category is 501(c)(3) organizations excluding institutions of higher education, and the competition is restricted to currently funded U54 grantees under RFA-FD-11-028.

Can new organizations that were not part of the earlier U54 program apply?

Based on the information provided, no. The opportunity is competed among currently funded U54 grantees from the earlier initiative (RFA-FD-11-028), signaling an expansion of an existing training infrastructure rather than onboarding brand-new organizations.

When was this funding opportunity posted and when did it close?

It was posted and created on July 6, 2015. The original and current closing date is July 30, 2015. The archive date is August 29, 2015.

Where can applicants or stakeholders find the official full announcement?

FDA pointed to the full announcement on the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts.

Who is the grants management contact for this opportunity?

The listed grants management contact is Daniel Lukash, Grants Management Specialist. Phone: 240-402-7596. Email: daniel.lukash@fda.hhs.gov.

What kind of workforce does this opportunity aim to strengthen?

It aims to strengthen the national regulatory workforce implementing and enforcing FSMA, with particular focus on regulators responsible for produce farm inspections and investigations under the new produce safety rules.

How does this opportunity relate to the Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS)?

The training courses and materials are intended for FDA and state/local regulatory staff operating within IFSS, supporting more consistent, high-quality field work across jurisdictions as FSMA produce safety responsibilities are implemented.