Food Safety Outreach Program-Collaborative Education and Training Projects

The Food Safety Outreach Program Collaborative Education and Training Projects grant is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The program builds on a federal commitment to improving public health by supporting education, outreach, and technical assistance that help agricultural producers and food processors comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act. Since its inception, the initiative has focused on strengthening national and regional training networks and expanding the capacity of institutions and organizations to deliver science-based food safety education. The program aligns with broader USDA priorities such as improving food quality, supporting domestic agricultural markets, and advancing the productivity and resilience of American agriculture. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support large-scale collaborative education and training efforts that expand existing food safety programs beyond the local level. Projects are expected to operate at a multi-county, statewide, or multistate level and must demonstrate strong partnerships across regions with shared agricultural concerns. These projects emphasize curriculum development, outreach strategies, and training systems that improve understanding and adoption of established food safety standards. Applicants are encouraged to build collaborations among land-grant institutions, community organizations, and agricultural stakeholders, particularly those serving small and mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, and small processors. Funding under this program is provided through standard extension grants with a project duration of up to 36 months. Awards typically range from 400000 to 550000 dollars, with the higher end reserved for projects demonstrating significant collaboration among eligible institutions. The total program funding is approximately 5800000 dollars, supporting around ten awards. Funds may be used for activities such as curriculum development, training delivery, outreach campaigns, personnel costs, and evaluation efforts. Indirect costs are capped at 30 percent of total federal funds awarded, and recipients must ensure compliance with federal cost principles and administrative requirements. Eligibility is limited to organizational applicants, including state cooperative extension services, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and industry organizations representing farmers or food processors. Collaborative applications involving multiple eligible entities are also permitted. Applicants must demonstrate prior experience working with agricultural audiences and the ability to develop or adapt food safety training materials. While cost sharing is not required, it is encouraged and may strengthen project proposals. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, and organizations must complete several registrations, including the System for Award Management, Unique Entity Identifier, and eRA Commons. The application package requires a detailed project narrative, budget, data management plan, and supporting documentation. The narrative must address objectives, methodology, evaluation plans, and timelines, and is limited to 20 pages of text. Additional required elements include a project summary, key personnel information, and compliance certifications. Applications are evaluated through a two-stage review process consisting of administrative screening followed by scientific peer review. Evaluation criteria include the strength of project objectives, the effectiveness of proposed methods, the qualifications and management plan of project personnel, and the appropriateness of the budget. Projects must demonstrate measurable outcomes and include plans for data collection and reporting. Successful applicants will be notified following the review process and may be required to negotiate final award terms with the agency. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is July 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. No letter of intent is required. Funded projects are expected to begin within the federal fiscal year and participate in annual reporting and coordination activities with regional centers. The program is offered on a recurring basis, reflecting ongoing federal investment in food safety education. Applicants may direct programmatic questions to the designated USDA email contact, and additional administrative support is available through Grants.gov and NIFA help resources.

Emphasize strong multi-state collaboration; demonstrate measurable outcomes; align objectives with FSMA and USDA priorities; provide clear evaluation and data reporting plans