NEHA-FDA Retail Flexible Funding Model (RFFM) Grant Program

The NEHA-FDA Retail Flexible Funding Model (RFFM) Grant Program is a collaborative funding initiative between the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This program aims to advance retail food safety by supporting State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) regulatory agencies in their efforts to achieve conformance with the FDA’s Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (RPS). These standards serve as a framework to improve the performance of retail food regulatory programs and ultimately reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses nationwide. The 2026–2027 grant cycle, known as Grant Year 2026-27 (GY 2026-27), is open for one-year grant applications, with a submission period from January 5, 2026, through February 12, 2026. The program supports a tiered structure that provides flexible funding opportunities based on an agency's current engagement with the RPS. Specifically, Track 1 grants target agencies beginning their RPS journey, requiring only completion of the Self-Assessment of All Nine Standards (SA9) and the Comprehensive Strategic Improvement Plan (CSIP) during the project year. Track 2 is designed for agencies already engaged in the standards and requires current SA9 and CSIP documentation at the time of application. Optional add-on grants for mentorship (as mentee or mentor) and training can be appended to either track, along with specific incentives like Risk Factor Studies and SA9 updates in Track 2. The funding approach varies based on the deliverable. Track 1 and Track 2 base grants provide $5,000 in fixed funding. Track 2 applicants may additionally receive up to $10,000 for Level 2 Risk Factor Studies and $3,000 for updating an SA9 if it expires during the grant year. Optional mentorship as a mentee includes three fixed funding components totaling $10,000, while mentor roles offer up to $18,000 depending on the number of mentees, plus $6,000 in additional site visit and meeting deliverables. The training grant add-on is the only reimbursement-based component, offering up to $7,500 for approved training programs aligned with project objectives. Eligibility is limited to SLTT retail food regulatory agencies already enrolled in the FDA's Retail Program Standards. Track 1 requires enrollment only, while Track 2 requires a valid SA9 completed within the last five years and a current CSIP. Grantees must maintain an active base grant to qualify for optional add-ons. Compliance with eligibility and deliverables is mandatory throughout the project period, which runs from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. Reimbursement is contingent upon verification of completed deliverables. Applications are submitted through the NEHA-FDA RFFM Grant Portal. After submission, applications go through administrative review by NEHA and peer review by FDA and NEHA advisors. Final funding decisions are made by the FDA Project Officer based on scores and recommendations. Timeline milestones include an administrative review in mid-February, peer reviews in late February, scoring in March, and award notifications by March 31, 2026. Support resources include the RSA Tool, used by awarded agencies to complete SA9 and CSIP reporting, and technical assistance throughout the cycle. The mentorship program, offered in collaboration with NACCHO, further fosters peer learning among jurisdictions. The grant portal provides centralized access to applications, resources, training guidance, and official communication. Contact for the program is available through the NEHA-FDA RFFM Support Team at [email protected] or by phone at 1-833-575-2404.

Enroll in Retail Program Standards before applying; draft offline; avoid unallowable costs