NARMS Cooperative Agreement Program to Strengthen Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance in Retail Food Specimens

The NARMS Cooperative Agreement Program to Strengthen Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance in Retail Food Specimens is a funding opportunity issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), specifically its Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). This initiative is part of the broader National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS), a public health surveillance program established in 1996 through a partnership between the FDA, CDC, USDA, and local public health departments. The program tracks antibiotic resistance in enteric bacteria from human, animal, and food sources. Through this cooperative agreement, the FDA aims to bolster the retail food component of NARMS by enhancing sample collection, laboratory testing, and data reporting related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in foodborne pathogens. The funding opportunity is designed to promote public health by strengthening surveillance efforts that monitor antibiotic resistance among bacteria found in retail food commodities, particularly raw meats and seafood. Key bacterial species under surveillance include Salmonella, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, Vibrio, and Aeromonas. Applicants are expected to conduct microbial testing using standardized protocols, share isolates and genomic sequence data with FDA, and participate in collaborative efforts to align local surveillance with national public health strategies. Activities not supported include testing of unsanctioned food types or unapproved bacterial species. Eligible entities include higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, and government entities at various levels, among others. Notably, foreign entities are not eligible to apply. Applicants must also comply with a series of registration requirements such as SAM, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov to be eligible for submission. Each application must conform to both the NIH’s How to Apply - Application Guide and this funding opportunity’s specific instructions. While a letter of intent is not mandatory, it is encouraged and assists the FDA in planning the review process. The total anticipated funding for FY 2025 is up to $5,000,000, with an expected maximum of 35 awards. Each award can be up to $200,000 annually in total costs, with funding renewable for up to four additional years pending performance and availability of appropriations. The application process involves submission through approved platforms such as NIH ASSIST or Grants.gov, and all applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM local time of the applicant organization. Late applications will not be accepted. Letters of intent for the upcoming application round are due July 23, 2025, and full applications are due August 11, 2025. Evaluation criteria include the significance of the proposed project, the capabilities of the investigator(s), innovation, methodological approach, and the environment in which the project will be carried out. Applicants must also include a data management and sharing plan, comply with all applicable human subjects and animal welfare policies if relevant, and meet financial reporting requirements. Reviewers will assign impact scores based on how well each application addresses program goals. Agency contacts include Jason Abbott (jason.abbott@fda.hhs.gov, 240-402-5446) and Claudine Kabera (claudine.kabera@fda.hhs.gov, 240-402-5430) for scientific and programmatic inquiries. For grants management, the contact is Jenise McNair (jenise.mcnair@fda.hhs.gov). The earliest award start date is September 1, 2025. The program is scheduled to continue through April 2027, with future application due dates on April 1, 2026, and April 1, 2027, respectively.

Applications must follow FDA-specific guidance and use the proper electronic submission platform.