Cooperative Agreement to Support Shellfish Safety Assistance Project

The Cooperative Agreement to Support Shellfish Safety Assistance Project is a federal funding opportunity issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically under the Human Foods Program. This initiative operates under the broader framework of the National Shellfish Sanitation Program, a long-standing federal state partnership established to ensure the safe production and consumption of molluscan shellfish. The program reflects a coordinated effort among federal, state, local, and international regulatory bodies, as well as industry stakeholders, to maintain consistent public health protections through science-based standards and cooperative governance. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to enhance communication and coordination across regulatory and industry stakeholders while strengthening state-level shellfish safety programs. The project emphasizes improving the exchange of information between federal agencies, states, foreign governments, industry participants, and consumers. It also aims to expand training, technical assistance, research, and educational activities that support the implementation of effective food safety controls. These efforts are specifically directed toward reducing illness risks associated with pathogens such as Vibrio species, Campylobacter, and Salmonella in shellfish products. Funding under this opportunity supports a range of allowable activities including research, training initiatives, technical assistance programs, and participation in collaborative meetings aligned with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program Model Ordinance. Recipients are expected to contribute to the development and refinement of risk assessments and to promote scientifically defensible food safety practices. The cooperative agreement mechanism indicates substantial involvement from FDA program staff, who will provide subject matter expertise, support data interpretation, and collaborate with recipients throughout the project lifecycle. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is highly restricted, as it is designated as a single source award. Only the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference is eligible to apply. This reflects the specialized nature of the program and the established role of this organization within the national shellfish safety framework. Foreign organizations and components are explicitly excluded, and applicants must meet all federal registration requirements, including SAM, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons registrations prior to submission. The application process requires adherence to the FDA Research Instructions and the How to Apply Application Guide. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and validated through the eRA Commons system. Required components include a detailed research strategy, which is limited to thirty pages, as well as a Data Management and Sharing Plan and other standard federal grant forms. Applications must be complete and compliant at submission, as noncompliant or late submissions will not be reviewed. There is no letter of intent required for this opportunity. Applications are evaluated through the FDA objective review process using criteria such as significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, approach, and environment. Each category is scored individually, and reviewers assess the overall potential impact of the proposed project on shellfish safety and public health. Additional considerations include protections for human subjects, use of vertebrate animals, biohazard safety, and resource sharing plans. The FDA retains discretion in funding decisions, and awards are contingent upon available appropriations and satisfactory performance. The application window opens on July 22, 2026, with a submission deadline of August 21, 2026. Awards are structured as a one year initial funding period with the possibility of up to four additional years, resulting in a maximum project period of five years. The total funding available for the first year is up to 500000 dollars, with similar annual funding anticipated for subsequent years. Key contacts for the program include scientific and grants management officials at the FDA, and applicants are encouraged to engage with these contacts for guidance during the application process. This funding opportunity does not indicate recurring cycles and is treated as a discrete funding announcement.

Align proposal strongly with review criteria including significance innovation and methodological rigor and ensure compliance with all submission instructions