Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA FD 19 003
This funding opportunity (RFA-FD-19-003) is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cooperative agreement designed to continue and strengthen a long-running public-private partnership with the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) through its Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH). FDA frames the award as a continuation of a roughly thirty-year collaboration that began with IITs creation of the National Center for Food Safety and Technology (NCFST), a hub intended to bring together academic researchers, industry experts, and FDA scientists around a shared goal: improving the safety of the U.S. food supply. Over time, NCFST developed a track record of producing practical research and real-world outreach, including well-known areas like low-moisture food safety and sprout safety, largely because it was structured to work directly with industry and regulators rather than operating in isolation.
In 2011, NCFST became part of the broader IFSH structure, where it continues to serve as a primary research center coordinating collaborative food safety and applied nutrition work among FDA (specifically CFSAN), IIT, and member companies. IFSH is described as a multi-center institute that also includes the Center for Processing Innovation, the Center for Nutrition Research, and the Center for Specialty Programs. The opportunity emphasizes that FDAs food safety challenges have grown more complex as the food supply has become more diverse and global, and that strengthening science-based programs like those housed at IFSH is a practical way to address emerging issues. FDA also highlights the value of innovative research paired with outreach as a way to prevent problems earlier, rather than reacting after outbreaks or contamination events occur.
A major driver in the background is the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), enacted in 2011, which shifted U.S. food oversight toward a modern, prevention-based model. FDA positions the IFSH partnership as increasingly important to meeting FSMA responsibilities, especially because FSMA relies heavily on preventive controls and on translating science into practices that manufacturers and processors can actually adopt. The grant is therefore not just about producing academic findings; it is meant to support an applied, collaborative program that connects research results to education, communication, and real implementation. FDA explicitly notes that building and strengthening public-private partnerships for research and outreach on preventive controls is a key part of its FSMA implementation strategy.
The cooperative agreement is intended to support four core objectives. First, IFSH is expected to conduct multidisciplinary, applied research relevant to FDA-regulated products, with a focus on the safety of processed foods, food processing and packaging technologies, how processing strategies affect nutritional quality, and how well laboratory methods perform, including method validation. Second, the program is expected to maintain and further develop the IFSH collaborative research model by leveraging resources across U.S. government agencies, universities (including other parts of IIT), and the food industry to produce practical solutions to food safety and processing problems. Third, IFSH is expected to run outreach and communication efforts with stakeholders so that research priorities reflect real needs and so that findings are actively shared and used, rather than remaining only in publications or internal reports. Fourth, the work should directly support FSMA implementation through research, education, and outreach, with particular emphasis on the science behind preventive controls for manufacturing, processing, packing, and holding food.
From an administrative standpoint, the award is a discretionary cooperative agreement in the Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition activity area under CFDA 93.103. The opportunity anticipated a single award, with an award ceiling of $10,000,000, reflecting FDAs intent to support one centralized, high-capacity partnership entity rather than multiple smaller projects. The original opportunity was posted February 13, 2019, with an original closing date of April 22, 2019. The eligibility category is listed as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement, which is typical for opportunities that are tailored to a specific partnership structure and existing institutional capabilities.
Overall, this announcement is best understood as FDAs mechanism for sustaining and expanding a proven, collaborative institute that can rapidly translate food safety science into validated methods, practical preventive controls, and stakeholder-facing guidance. It aims to keep FDA, academia, and industry aligned around shared research priorities, while also building the communication and training pathways needed to put FSMA-era prevention into everyday practice across the food system.Apply for RFA FD 19 003
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration in the agriculture, consumer protection, food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Agreement to Support the Illinois Institute of Technology's Institute for Food Safety and Health (U19 Clinical Trial Optional)" 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 Feb 13, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 22, 2019. (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 $10,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is RFA-FD-19-003?
RFA-FD-19-003 is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) funding opportunity for a discretionary cooperative agreement intended to continue and strengthen a long-running public-private partnership with the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) through its Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH).
Which FDA organization is associated with this cooperative agreement?
The opportunity describes collaboration with FDA scientists, and specifically references FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) as part of the IFSH collaborative structure.
What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to sustain and expand a proven, applied, collaborative institute model that translates food safety science into practical outcomes like validated methods, preventive controls, and stakeholder-facing outreach that supports a safer U.S. food supply.
Is this a new program or a continuation of an existing partnership?
It is framed as a continuation of an existing partnership that has operated for roughly thirty years, dating back to IIT's creation of the National Center for Food Safety and Technology (NCFST).
What is NCFST and how does it relate to IFSH?
The National Center for Food Safety and Technology (NCFST) was created as a hub bringing together academic researchers, industry experts, and FDA scientists to improve food safety. In 2011, NCFST became part of the broader Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH) structure and continues to serve as a primary research center within IFSH.
What makes the IFSH/NCFST model distinctive according to the announcement?
The model is described as practical and industry-connected, designed to work directly with industry and regulators rather than operating in isolation. The announcement emphasizes pairing innovative research with outreach so findings are used in real-world settings.
Why does FDA emphasize this partnership now?
FDA notes that food safety challenges have become more complex as the food supply has grown more diverse and global. Strengthening science-based, collaborative programs like IFSH is presented as a practical way to address emerging issues and prevent problems earlier.
How does this opportunity connect to the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)?
FSMA, enacted in 2011, shifted U.S. food oversight toward prevention. FDA positions the IFSH partnership as increasingly important to meeting FSMA responsibilities by supporting research, education, and outreach related to preventive controls and by translating science into practices manufacturers and processors can adopt.
What does FDA mean by a "prevention-based model" in this context?
Based on the announcement language, it means focusing on preventing contamination and outbreaks through science-based preventive controls, validated methods, and practical implementation guidance, rather than primarily reacting after problems occur.
What are the four core objectives supported by this cooperative agreement?
The cooperative agreement is intended to support four objectives: (1) multidisciplinary, applied research relevant to FDA-regulated products; (2) maintaining and further developing the IFSH collaborative research model by leveraging resources across government, universities, and industry; (3) outreach and communication with stakeholders so priorities reflect real needs and findings are actively shared and used; and (4) direct support for FSMA implementation through research, education, and outreach focused on the science of preventive controls.
What kinds of research topics are highlighted as priorities?
The announcement highlights applied research relevant to FDA-regulated products, with focus areas including the safety of processed foods; food processing and packaging technologies; how processing strategies affect nutritional quality; and laboratory method performance, including method validation.
Does the opportunity emphasize basic research or applied research?
It emphasizes multidisciplinary, applied research and repeatedly underscores translating results into practical solutions and real-world adoption through outreach and communication, not research that stays only in academic outputs.
What is meant by "method validation" in this announcement?
The opportunity states that work may include evaluating how well laboratory methods perform, including method validation. In this context, it refers to ensuring laboratory methods are reliable and suitable for their intended food safety and related applications.
What is the "IFSH collaborative research model" the award aims to maintain?
It is a public-private partnership approach coordinating collaborative food safety and applied nutrition work among FDA (including CFSAN), IIT, and member companies, and leveraging broader resources across U.S. government agencies, universities, and the food industry.
What role does outreach and communication play in the funded program?
Outreach and communication are core expectations. The announcement indicates they help ensure research priorities reflect stakeholder needs and that findings are actively shared and used, rather than remaining only in publications or internal reports.
What kinds of stakeholders are implied by the announcement?
The announcement references collaboration among FDA, academia, and the food industry, as well as communication with stakeholders. Based on that description, stakeholders include industry partners, regulators, and research/academic participants involved in food safety and processing.
How is the IFSH organization described?
IFSH is described as a multi-center institute that includes NCFST as a primary research center, as well as the Center for Processing Innovation, the Center for Nutrition Research, and the Center for Specialty Programs.
What is the funding mechanism used for this opportunity?
The mechanism is a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning FDA anticipates substantial involvement consistent with a cooperative partnership model (as reflected in the announcement's emphasis on collaboration).
What activity area and CFDA listing are associated with the award?
The award is in the Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition activity area and is listed under CFDA 93.103.
How many awards does FDA anticipate making under this opportunity?
The opportunity anticipated a single award, reflecting FDA's intent to support one centralized, high-capacity partnership entity rather than multiple smaller projects.
What is the maximum funding amount mentioned (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is listed as $10,000,000.
When was the opportunity originally posted and what was the original closing date?
The opportunity was originally posted on February 13, 2019, and the original closing date was April 22, 2019.
Who is eligible to apply according to the announcement summary?
The eligibility category is listed as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement. The summary notes that this is typical for opportunities tailored to a specific partnership structure and existing institutional capabilities.
Is this opportunity designed for multiple independent projects or a centralized partnership?
It is designed for a centralized partnership. The announcement emphasizes continuing and strengthening a single, long-running institute partnership and anticipated one award to support a high-capacity entity.
What types of products does the research need to be relevant to?
The research is expected to be relevant to FDA-regulated products, with particular emphasis on processed foods and related processing, packaging, nutrition impacts, and laboratory methods.
How does the announcement describe the overall goal for the U.S. food supply?
The stated overarching goal is improving the safety of the U.S. food supply, with an emphasis on prevention, practical implementation, and alignment across FDA, academia, and industry.
What are examples of IFSH/NCFST past focus areas mentioned in the summary?
The summary references well-known areas such as low-moisture food safety and sprout safety as examples of practical research and real-world outreach associated with NCFST's track record.
What does FDA appear to value most about the work produced under this cooperative agreement?
Based on the summary, FDA values research that is multidisciplinary and applied, produces practical solutions, includes validated methods and preventive controls, and is paired with outreach and communication so results are used by stakeholders and support FSMA-era prevention.
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| Enhancing Regulatory Science for the Risk Based Quality Assessment of Complex Products (U01) - Clinical Trials Optional Apply for RFA FD 19 011 Funding Number: RFA FD 19 011 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Advancing Post-Market Surveillance of High-Risk Facilities and Products through Signal detection, Data analysis, and the Review of the State of Quality (U01) Clinical Trial Optional Apply for PAR 19 190 Funding Number: PAR 19 190 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Advancing Manufacturing Processing and Control Strategies for Drug Substances and Drug Products (U01)- Clinical Trial Optional Apply for PAR 19 216 Funding Number: PAR 19 216 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $6,000,000 |
| Implementation of the Animal Feed Regulatory Program Standards (U18 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA FD 19 021 Funding Number: RFA FD 19 021 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Novel Approaches to Translational Evidence Generation to Advance Coordinated Registry Networks (CRNs) via Big Data Analytics Using Disparate Data Sources (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA FD 19 020 Funding Number: RFA FD 19 020 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement to Support the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA FD 19 019 Funding Number: RFA FD 19 019 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Renewal Application: Increasing the Quality and Efficiency of Clinical Trials (U18) Clinical Trial Required Apply for RFA FD 19 015 Funding Number: RFA FD 19 015 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $37,500,000 |
| Convener and organizer of activities and engagements focused on the development of medical products and related processes, surveillance, and policies relevant to ongoing public health activities. (U01) Clinical Trial Not Allowed Apply for RFA FD 19 013 Funding Number: RFA FD 19 013 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $3,500,000 |
| Renewal Application: Kidney Health Initiative (R18) Clinical Trials Optional Apply for RFA FD 19 016 Funding Number: RFA FD 19 016 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement to Support Regulatory Research Related to the 2018 Prescription Drug User Fee Act and the 21st Century Cures Act (U01) Clinical Trials Not Allowed Apply for RFA FD 19 026 Funding Number: RFA FD 19 026 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Information Sharing System for State-Regulated Drug Compounding Activities (U01) Clinical Trial Not Allowed Apply for RFA FD 19 025 Funding Number: RFA FD 19 025 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $1,600,000 |
| Renewal Application: Critical Path Public Private Partnerships (U18) Clinical Trials Optional Apply for RFA FD 19 027 Funding Number: RFA FD 19 027 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $100,000,000 |
| Implementation of U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act - Identifying, Researching, and Implementing Alternative Methods to Expand the Reach across the Global Supply Chain (U01) - Clinical Trials Not Allowed Apply for RFA FD 19 022 Funding Number: RFA FD 19 022 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $2,750,000 |
| Cigar Tobacco Reference Products Program (UC2) Clinical Trials Not Allowed Apply for RFA FD 20 002 Funding Number: RFA FD 20 002 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $7,400,000 |
| Rare Disease Clinical Outcome Assessment Consortium (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA FD 19 029 Funding Number: RFA FD 19 029 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Drug Development Tools Research Grants (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA FD 19 028 Funding Number: RFA FD 19 028 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Heart Failure Collaboratory (R18) Clinical Trials Optional Apply for RFA FD 20 005 Funding Number: RFA FD 20 005 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $2,150,000 |
| Local Food Producer Outreach, Education, and Training to Enhance Food Safety and FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Compliance (U01) Clinical Trial Not Allowed Apply for RFA FD 20 006 Funding Number: RFA FD 20 006 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Native American Tribes Outreach, Education, and Training to Enhance Food Safety and FSMA Compliance (U01) Clinical Trial Not Allowed Apply for RFA FD 20 004 Funding Number: RFA FD 20 004 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Bioequivalence of Topical Products: Elucidating Fundamental Principles of Dermal Pharmacokinetics for Microdialysis or Microperfusion Techniques (U01) Clinical Trials Not Allowed Apply for RFA FD 20 019 Funding Number: RFA FD 20 019 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration Category: Agriculture, Consumer Protection, Food and Nutrition Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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