Building an Integrated Laboratory System to Advance the Safety of Human and Animal Food | RFA FD 24 004

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA FD 24 004

Building an Integrated Laboratory System to Advance the Safety of Human and Animal Food (RFA FD 24 004) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), focused on strengthening the nationwide network of laboratories that test human and animal food. The award is offered as a cooperative agreement, which usually means the FDA expects substantial involvement during the project period, such as collaborating on goals, aligning activities with federal priorities, and coordinating on deliverables that support a broader national laboratory system rather than a single stand-alone effort.

The central purpose of the opportunity is to improve both capacity (how much testing the system can handle) and capability (how well laboratories can perform technically and consistently) across U.S. human and animal food testing laboratories. The work is intended to be carried out through an association-led approach that pulls laboratories together, identifies common needs, and delivers practical support. Key activities named in the opportunity include conducting trainings, workshops, meetings, and developing other educational resources that help laboratories maintain up-to-date methods and quality practices. The funding also supports research to assess national testing capacity and capability, which can include surveying laboratories, analyzing gaps in instrumentation or expertise, and identifying where additional coordination or standardization would most improve public health and food safety outcomes.

Another major emphasis is the creation of best practices and guidance materials, such as manuals or templates that laboratories can use to standardize procedures, strengthen quality management systems, and improve consistency across jurisdictions and sectors. A specific priority highlighted is support for ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation for laboratories that are not yet accredited. ISO/IEC 17025 is a widely recognized international standard for laboratory competence, and assistance under this funding could reasonably involve accreditation readiness support, training on quality system documentation, internal auditing practices, method validation expectations, and helping labs understand how to meet third-party assessment requirements. The opportunity also leaves room for additional activities that directly support human and animal food testing laboratories, as long as they contribute to the broader goal of an integrated and more reliable national laboratory system.

Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education) and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (also other than institutions of higher education). The FDA anticipates making a single award, with an expected award ceiling of $500,000, indicating a targeted national-level effort led by one coordinating organization rather than multiple parallel awards. The opportunity was posted on September 19, 2023, with an original application closing date of October 23, 2023, and it is associated with CFDA 93.103 under the Food and Nutrition activity category.

In practical terms, this program is aimed at building a stronger, more connected laboratory community for food testing by improving training and knowledge-sharing, documenting and spreading best practices, measuring and understanding national testing readiness, and helping more labs reach ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The intended outcome is a laboratory system that is more consistent, more technically capable, and better prepared to support food safety for both people and animals at a national scale.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration in the food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Building an Integrated Laboratory System to Advance the Safety of Human and Animal Food" 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 Sep 19, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Oct 23, 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: 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.

Apply for RFA FD 24 004

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