Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA FD 23 032
This funding opportunity is a renewed FDA cooperative agreement aimed at expanding food safety training, education, outreach, and technical assistance for federally recognized Native American tribes. It is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), specifically the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), and it focuses on helping tribal producers and food businesses understand and work toward compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The grant is not for clinical trials. The award is expected to support one recipient, with an estimated total of up to $500,000 for fiscal year 2023 (including direct and indirect costs), and the project is framed as a multi-year effort with the possibility of additional years of support depending on Congressional appropriations and whether performance is strong.
At its core, the project is meant for an organization that already has real, working relationships with tribes and/or tribal organizations and can demonstrate experience delivering science-based food safety programming in ways that are culturally specific and practical. The emphasis is on agricultural production and human food manufacturing or processing, meaning the audiences include tribal produce growers, harvesters, packers, holders, and food processors. The FDA explicitly encourages subcontracting to other organizations that also meet this intent, which signals that a team-based approach is welcome as long as the lead applicant can coordinate partners and deliver results.
A central priority is FSMA compliance education, especially for the Produce Safety rule and the Preventive Controls for Human Food rule, while still keeping an eye on the broader set of FSMA regulations that might apply depending on the operation. The opportunity recognizes that some tribal businesses may not currently be covered by specific FSMA requirements due to exemptions or operational size, but still want to comply for business reasons like buyer requirements, market access, or expansion plans. So the program is designed to serve both those who must comply and those who see economic value in aligning with FSMA standards.
The opportunity is also built around the idea of an integrated national food safety system, where FDA works in concert with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners. The recipient is expected to coordinate closely with FDA, FSMA partners at USDA, and other federal entities with a stake in food safety in tribal settings (the announcement specifically mentions groups like CDC and the Indian Health Service as relevant partners). In addition, the project must tie into existing national infrastructure for food safety training and technical assistance, including the FDA-recognized FSMA Alliances: the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA), the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA), and the Sprout Safety Alliance. The intent is not to reinvent training from scratch, but to use established, standardized curricula as a foundation and then adapt and customize them where needed to reflect tribal cultural practices, regional production realities, and practical constraints. FDA also notes it plans to work with the awardee so that any alternate or customized curriculum is recognized by FDA, which is important for legitimacy and consistency.
The expected work starts with understanding the landscape and building from there. The awardee must conduct a training, education, and technical assistance needs assessment so that activities can be prioritized and the right support resources can be identified. From that base, the recipient is expected to develop culturally appropriate, science-based training and educational tools, select delivery methods that make sense for tribal communities (in-person, remote, hybrid, community-based formats, etc.), and create mechanisms to connect tribal stakeholders to technical assistance. A significant and very specific deliverable is to identify and quantitatively characterize the leading tribes engaged in regulated activity: the top 20 (but no more than 50 total) tribes involved in commercial production of covered produce under the Produce Safety rule, and the top 20 (but no more than 50 total) tribes involved in commercial production of food covered under the Preventive Controls for Human Food rule, including identifying tribes that run mixed-type operations. The program also calls for mapping what food safety education and training programs already exist in tribal settings, then conducting outreach so growers and processors are aware of the training, materials, and technical assistance available through this effort.
The collaboration expectations are extensive and not optional. Applicants must show they can lead and coordinate partners that already serve tribal audiences, including tribal governments, tribal colleges and universities (including 1994 tribal land-grant institutions), tribal extension educators (including the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program), land-grant cooperative extension programs, tribal non-profits and community-based organizations, and national and regional Native American organizational leaders. Beyond relationship-building, the recipient is expected to strengthen durable working connections between these tribal partners and the broader FSMA training and support network, including the National Coordination Center and the FDA/USDA Regional Centers created under the National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, Outreach and Technical Assistance Program. The idea is to increase reach, avoid duplication, and make training and technical assistance easier to access over time.
Operationally, FDA treats this as a highly collaborative cooperative agreement rather than a hands-off grant. Post-award management includes establishing an executive committee with FDA and recipient representatives (and potentially other relevant partners) to guide deliverables and timelines, and possibly creating steering or technical committees. The recipient must produce a communication plan that sets regular and transparent coordination with FDA, USDA, and the FSMA Alliances using mechanisms like monthly teleconferences, webinars, and other routine touchpoints. The plan must also include one face-to-face meeting each year of the project period, quarterly written progress reports, and active information-sharing, including sharing data and compiled contact information related to tribal engagement and collaborator activities.
On staffing and capacity, applicants must demonstrate that trainers and outreach personnel are properly qualified, and they need to explain how they will hire and/or train staff to meet project deliverables. The application must include detailed budgets for each of three years, with clear justification for any new hires and any training needed to prepare staff to deliver culturally appropriate and technically accurate FSMA programming. The funding announcement also emphasizes compliance with reporting requirements (referenced as being detailed in section VI.3 of the announcement) and expects the Project Director to manage day-to-day technical and programmatic execution, acknowledge FDA support in public communications and products, and participate in annual meetings with FDA to present progress and major outputs.
Finally, the opportunity encourages sustainability beyond the award period. While the grant funds the immediate work of assessing needs, adapting curricula, delivering training and outreach, and connecting tribes to technical assistance, strong applications are expected to show how the benefits will last after funding ends, such as by strengthening tribal training capacity, building long-term partnerships with extension and tribal colleges, and integrating tribal stakeholders more fully into the national FSMA training and support ecosystem.
Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number RFA-FD-23-032, instrument type Cooperative Agreement (U01), activity category Agriculture/Consumer Protection/Food and Nutrition, CFDA 93.103, estimated award ceiling of $500,000, and an expected single award. The opportunity was posted April 20, 2023, with an original closing date of June 20, 2023. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full announcement.Apply for RFA FD 23 032
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration in the agriculture, consumer protection, food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Renewal-Native American Tribes Outreach, Education, and Training to Enhance Food Safety and FSMA Compliance (U01) Clinical Trial Not Allowed" 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 20, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 20, 2023. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is this funding opportunity?
This is a renewed FDA cooperative agreement to expand food safety training, education, outreach, and technical assistance for federally recognized Native American tribes. The work centers on helping tribal producers and food businesses understand and work toward compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).
2) Which agency is offering and administering the award?
The award is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), through the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN).
3) What is the funding opportunity number and award type?
Funding Opportunity Number: RFA-FD-23-032. The instrument type is a Cooperative Agreement (U01), meaning FDA expects substantial involvement and ongoing collaboration during the project.
4) What program category and CFDA number are associated with this award?
The activity category is Agriculture/Consumer Protection/Food and Nutrition, and the CFDA number is 93.103.
5) Is this opportunity for clinical trials?
No. The opportunity is explicitly not for clinical trials.
6) How much funding is available and how many awards are expected?
The estimated total funding is up to $500,000 for fiscal year 2023 (including direct and indirect costs). FDA expects to make one award.
7) Is this a multi-year project?
Yes. The project is framed as a multi-year effort, with the possibility of additional years of support depending on Congressional appropriations and strong performance.
8) Who is this program intended to benefit?
The program is intended to benefit federally recognized Native American tribes by improving access to culturally appropriate, science-based food safety training, education, outreach, and technical assistance related to FSMA.
9) What types of tribal stakeholders are the intended audiences?
The primary audiences include tribal produce growers, harvesters, packers, holders, and food processors, with an emphasis on agricultural production and human food manufacturing or processing.
10) What FSMA topics are emphasized?
The central priority is FSMA compliance education, especially the Produce Safety rule and the Preventive Controls for Human Food rule, while also considering other FSMA regulations that may apply depending on the operation.
11) Can tribes or tribal businesses participate even if they are exempt from certain FSMA requirements?
Yes. The opportunity recognizes that some tribal businesses may not be covered by specific FSMA requirements due to exemptions or size, but may still want to align with FSMA standards for reasons such as buyer requirements, market access, or future expansion.
12) What kind of organization is FDA looking to fund?
FDA is looking for an organization that already has real, working relationships with tribes and/or tribal organizations and can demonstrate experience delivering science-based food safety programming in culturally specific, practical ways.
13) Is subcontracting or partnering allowed?
Yes. FDA explicitly encourages subcontracting to other organizations that meet the intent of the program. A team-based approach is welcome as long as the lead applicant can coordinate partners and deliver results.
14) What national food safety training infrastructure must the project connect to?
The project must tie into existing national infrastructure for food safety training and technical assistance, including the FDA-recognized FSMA Alliances: the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA), the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA), and the Sprout Safety Alliance.
15) Does the project need to create brand-new curricula?
No. The intent is to use established, standardized curricula as a foundation and adapt/customize as needed to reflect tribal cultural practices, regional production realities, and practical constraints.
16) Can the project use customized or alternate training materials?
Yes. FDA notes it plans to work with the awardee so that any alternate or customized curriculum is recognized by FDA, supporting legitimacy and consistency.
17) What assessment work is expected at the start of the project?
The awardee must conduct a training, education, and technical assistance needs assessment to prioritize activities and identify appropriate support resources.
18) What deliverables are expected related to identifying tribes engaged in regulated activities?
A key deliverable is to identify and quantitatively characterize the leading tribes engaged in regulated activity, including:
- The top 20 (but no more than 50 total) tribes involved in commercial production of covered produce under the Produce Safety rule.
- The top 20 (but no more than 50 total) tribes involved in commercial production of food covered under the Preventive Controls for Human Food rule.
- Identification of tribes that operate mixed-type operations.
19) What mapping and outreach activities are required?
The program calls for mapping what food safety education and training programs already exist in tribal settings, and then conducting outreach so growers and processors are aware of the training, materials, and technical assistance available through this effort.
20) Who are the key partners the awardee is expected to coordinate with?
The recipient is expected to coordinate closely with FDA, FSMA partners at USDA, and other federal entities with a stake in food safety in tribal settings (the announcement specifically mentions CDC and the Indian Health Service as relevant partners).
21) What tribal and education/extension partners should be involved?
Applicants must show they can lead and coordinate partners that already serve tribal audiences, including:
- Tribal governments
- Tribal colleges and universities (including 1994 tribal land-grant institutions)
- Tribal extension educators (including the Federally Recognized Tribes Extension Program)
- Land-grant cooperative extension programs
- Tribal non-profits and community-based organizations
- National and regional Native American organizational leaders
22) How does this project fit into the “integrated national food safety system” concept?
The project is designed to strengthen coordination among federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners by connecting tribal stakeholders more fully to the broader FSMA training and support network, increasing reach, and avoiding duplication.
23) What connections are expected with national FSMA training support entities?
The recipient is expected to strengthen durable connections between tribal partners and the national FSMA training and support network, including the National Coordination Center and the FDA/USDA Regional Centers created under the National Food Safety Training, Education, Extension, Outreach and Technical Assistance Program.
24) How “hands-on” is FDA expected to be during the project?
FDA treats this as a highly collaborative cooperative agreement rather than a hands-off grant. Post-award management includes structured coordination and shared planning around deliverables and timelines.
25) What committees or governance structures are expected after award?
Post-award management includes establishing an executive committee with FDA and recipient representatives (and potentially other relevant partners) to guide deliverables and timelines. Steering or technical committees may also be created.
26) What communications and coordination plan is required?
The recipient must produce a communication plan that sets regular, transparent coordination with FDA, USDA, and the FSMA Alliances. The announcement references mechanisms such as monthly teleconferences and webinars, along with other routine touchpoints.
27) Are in-person meetings required?
Yes. The communication plan must include one face-to-face meeting each year of the project period.
28) What reporting is required during the project?
The project includes quarterly written progress reports, active information-sharing, and compliance with reporting requirements referenced as detailed in section VI.3 of the announcement.
29) What data and information-sharing expectations are included?
The recipient is expected to actively share information, including sharing data and compiled contact information related to tribal engagement and collaborator activities.
30) What staffing and qualifications expectations are described?
Applicants must demonstrate that trainers and outreach personnel are properly qualified. The application should explain how staff will be hired and/or trained to meet deliverables and to provide culturally appropriate and technically accurate FSMA programming.
31) What budget details must be included in the application?
The application must include detailed budgets for each of three years, with clear justification for new hires and for any training needed to prepare staff to deliver the project’s FSMA-focused programming.
32) What is the role of the Project Director?
The Project Director is expected to manage day-to-day technical and programmatic execution, acknowledge FDA support in public communications and products, and participate in annual meetings with FDA to present progress and major outputs.
33) What delivery methods are envisioned for training and outreach?
The opportunity anticipates selecting delivery methods that fit tribal community needs, including in-person, remote, hybrid, and community-based formats.
34) How does the program address cultural relevance?
The program emphasizes developing culturally appropriate, science-based training and educational tools, adapting standardized curricula to reflect tribal cultural practices and regional production realities while maintaining technical accuracy.
35) What is meant by “technical assistance” in the context of this project?
The project is expected to create mechanisms that connect tribal stakeholders to technical assistance, helping them apply FSMA concepts in practical ways and navigate compliance-related questions using established support networks.
36) Does the opportunity include sustainability expectations?
Yes. Strong applications are expected to describe how benefits will last beyond the award period, such as strengthening tribal training capacity, building long-term partnerships (including with extension and tribal colleges), and integrating tribal stakeholders into the national FSMA training and support ecosystem.
37) When was the opportunity posted and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was posted April 20, 2023, with an original closing date of June 20, 2023.
38) What is stated about eligibility?
Eligibility is listed broadly as “Others,” with additional clarification referenced in the full announcement.
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