Animal Food Regulatory Program Alliance

The Animal Food Regulatory Program Alliance, forecasted under opportunity number FOR-FD-25-002 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Food and Drug Administration), aims to fortify the national animal food safety system through sustained partnerships and systemic improvements. This cooperative agreement is a strategic initiative managed by the FDA’s Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA), seeking to enhance federal and state agency collaboration in regulating animal food safety and implementing the Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS). The grant is specifically intended for national organizations that primarily represent state animal food regulatory programs. These organizations serve as vital intermediaries, unifying state agencies around shared safety standards and practices. The selected organization will function as a national hub, promoting consensus on food safety policies, and producing standardized outputs like position statements, resolutions, and legislation. Furthermore, the funded entity will facilitate communication, offer educational resources, and help align state programs with federal objectives and guidelines. The core objectives of this program include building a robust, integrated national system for animal food safety; sharing tools and best practices; delivering training to support AFRPS implementation; and advancing continuous improvement efforts. Key deliverables include the establishment of mechanisms for state-federal mutual reliance, dissemination of FSMA-related guidance, and the enhancement of training and resource accessibility for state regulators. There are no cost-sharing or matching requirements associated with this cooperative agreement. However, the recipient organization must possess extensive knowledge of state program infrastructures and demonstrated success in leading national integration efforts across federal, state, and local jurisdictions. The program emphasizes national reach and uniform participation from state regulatory agencies, ensuring alignment across the country. Although the grant opportunity remains forecasted, its post, due, and award dates have not been finalized. The award ceiling and floor are both set at $600,000, with only one award expected. This indicates a targeted and competitive funding round. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor Grants.gov for updates on official release and submission timelines. For additional inquiries, prospective applicants should contact Terrin Brown at 240-402-7610 or via email at terrin.brown@fda.hhs.gov. This funding opportunity is associated with Assistance Listing 93.103 and reflects FDA’s long-term strategy to strengthen and unify regulatory approaches to animal food safety across the United States.