The *Retail Food Safety Regulatory Association Collaboration Cooperative Agreement Program (CAP)*, managed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is a grant opportunity aimed at strengthening food safety practices across retail environments in the United States. This cooperative agreement supports ongoing efforts to improve retail food protection and reduce foodborne illness by facilitating research, advancing safety practices, and fostering collaboration among regulatory bodies. The intended outcome is a reduction in foodborne illness risk factors by promoting uniformity and collaboration in food safety initiatives at the retail level.
The program is expected to provide up to five awards, each with a fixed funding amount of $4 million, as both the award ceiling and floor are set at $4 million. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, allowing eligible organizations to focus entirely on meeting the program’s objectives without needing additional financial contributions. This funding will support activities such as implementing best practices, conducting research on retail food protection strategies, and building collaborative networks among retail food regulatory bodies.
Eligibility for this grant is restricted to nonprofit national organizations affiliated with institutions of higher education whose membership includes state, local, tribal, and territorial regulatory personnel primarily focused on retail food safety. This specific eligibility criterion allows FDA to work closely with organizations that can effectively reach and engage local jurisdictions and regulatory agencies, supporting a coordinated national effort in food safety.
The grant opportunity is a renewal of an existing CAP, building on prior collaboration between the FDA and retail food safety stakeholders. The official application announcement, along with submission deadlines and detailed requirements, will be posted at a future date. Organizations considering application are encouraged to assess their capabilities in supporting FDA’s retail food protection goals, especially in areas related to reducing foodborne illnesses through improved retail safety practices.
For additional information or questions, interested applicants may contact Terrin Brown at the FDA by email at terrin.brown@fda.hhs.gov or by phone at (240) 402-7610. Once the opportunity is officially posted, comprehensive application instructions will be available on Grants.gov, providing the necessary guidance for successful submission.
