Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA FD 16 039
Apply for RFA FD 16 039
- The HHS-FDA in the consumer protection, environment, food and nutrition, health, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Food Protection Task Force (FPTF) and Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS) Project Grant Program (R18)" 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 Apr 14, 2016 and posted on Apr 14, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 16, 2017. (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 $10,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Food Protection Task Force (FPTF) and Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS) Project Grant Program (R18) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (HHS-FDA). It was released as Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) RFA-FD-16-039 and sits under the Research Demonstration and Dissemination Projects (R18) mechanism. The program is designed to strengthen real-world, on-the-ground food safety and food defense capabilities by funding projects that develop, test, and evaluate health service activities related to preventing and controlling food-related diseases and illnesses. In practice, it is aimed at moving proven knowledge and workable approaches into broader use, rather than funding purely theoretical work.
A central purpose of the program is to support efforts that improve how different parts of the food protection system work together across a state or jurisdiction. Funded applicants are expected not only to carry out project activities, but also to organize Food Protection Task Force meetings and support related research activities that help their jurisdictions coordinate more effectively. A key emphasis is on fostering ongoing communication, cooperation, and collaboration among the full range of food protection partners, including federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities, along with agencies and groups involved in public health, agriculture, and regulatory enforcement. The intent aligns with the broader concept of an Integrated Food Safety System, where multiple agencies share information, align practices, and coordinate responses to reduce duplication and close gaps that can lead to outbreaks or other food safety failures.
Eligible applicants are government entities with direct roles in food protection and public health infrastructure. The FOA lists eligibility for state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments. This eligibility framing reflects that the work is intended to be implemented by public-sector organizations that can convene cross-agency partners, influence policy and practice, and sustain improvements after the project period ends.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized across several activity areas that match its interdisciplinary nature: consumer protection, environment, food and nutrition, health, science and technology, and other research and development. The associated CFDA number is 93.103. The FOA was posted on April 14, 2016, with an original and current closing date of May 16, 2017. The expected number of awards is 20, and the stated award ceiling is $10,000, indicating relatively small grant amounts intended to catalyze targeted improvements, demonstrations, pilots, or coordination activities rather than large-scale infrastructure builds.
Overall, this grant program supports applied, collaborative projects that make food safety and food defense systems function better as an integrated network. It encourages jurisdictions to test and evaluate practical interventions, share lessons learned, and institutionalize coordination through structured FPTF meetings and related joint activities, ultimately aiming to reduce foodborne illness and strengthen preparedness and response across agencies that share responsibility for protecting the food supply.
Food Protection Task Force (FPTF) and Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS) Project Grant Program (R18) - FAQs
What is the FPTF and IFSS Project Grant Program (R18)?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (HHS-FDA) that funds applied projects to strengthen real-world food safety and food defense capabilities. It supports projects that develop, test, and evaluate health service activities focused on preventing and controlling food-related diseases and illnesses.
What is the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) number for this program?
The FOA is RFA-FD-16-039.
What grant mechanism does this opportunity use?
This program uses the Research Demonstration and Dissemination Projects (R18) mechanism.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The central purpose is to improve how different parts of the food protection system work together across a state or jurisdiction by supporting applied, collaborative projects. The program emphasizes moving proven knowledge and workable approaches into broader use, rather than supporting purely theoretical work.
What types of projects does the program aim to fund?
The program is designed to fund practical, on-the-ground activities that develop, test, and evaluate health service approaches related to food safety and food defense. The funding is positioned to catalyze targeted improvements, demonstrations, pilots, and coordination activities (not large-scale infrastructure builds).
Is this program focused on research or implementation?
It is focused on applied work that tests and evaluates practical interventions and helps move proven approaches into wider use. The emphasis is on implementation in real operational settings and on strengthening coordination, communication, and joint action across agencies.
What is the Integrated Food Safety System (IFSS) concept referenced by this grant?
The IFSS concept is described as a system where multiple agencies share information, align practices, and coordinate responses to reduce duplication and close gaps that can lead to outbreaks or other food safety failures.
What is a Food Protection Task Force (FPTF) in the context of this program?
In this program, the Food Protection Task Force is a structured coordination approach within a jurisdiction. Funded applicants are expected to organize FPTF meetings and support related research activities to improve coordination and effectiveness among food protection partners.
Are applicants expected to organize meetings as part of the project?
Yes. Funded applicants are expected not only to carry out project activities but also to organize Food Protection Task Force (FPTF) meetings and support related research activities that help their jurisdictions coordinate more effectively.
Who is expected to collaborate under this grant?
The grant emphasizes ongoing communication, cooperation, and collaboration among a broad set of food protection partners, including federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities, as well as agencies and groups involved in public health, agriculture, and regulatory enforcement.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are government entities with direct roles in food protection and public health infrastructure. The FOA lists the following eligible applicant types: state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.
Is eligibility limited to public-sector organizations?
Yes. The eligibility categories listed in the FOA are government entities, reflecting that the work is intended to be implemented by public-sector organizations that can convene cross-agency partners, influence policy and practice, and sustain improvements after the project period ends.
Which federal agency sponsors this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (HHS-FDA).
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA number is 93.103.
What activity areas does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is categorized across multiple activity areas reflecting its interdisciplinary scope: consumer protection, environment, food and nutrition, health, science and technology, and other research and development.
How many awards were expected under this FOA?
The expected number of awards is 20.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The stated award ceiling is $10,000.
What does the small award ceiling suggest about project scale?
The $10,000 ceiling indicates the program is intended to support targeted improvements, pilots, demonstrations, and coordination activities rather than large capital projects or major infrastructure expansion.
When was the FOA posted?
The FOA was posted on April 14, 2016.
What was the closing date for applications?
The original and current closing date listed is May 16, 2017.
What outcomes is this program ultimately trying to achieve?
The program aims to reduce foodborne illness and strengthen preparedness and response across agencies that share responsibility for protecting the food supply by improving coordination, testing practical interventions, sharing lessons learned, and institutionalizing cross-agency collaboration through structured task force activities.
Does the program address both food safety and food defense?
Yes. The program description specifically references strengthening both food safety and food defense capabilities.
How does the program expect jurisdictions to sustain improvements?
The FOA framing emphasizes collaboration and coordination that can be institutionalized, including structured Food Protection Task Force meetings and cross-agency practices that help sustain improvements after the project period ends.
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