Federal and University Partnership to Improve the Safety of Seafood from the Gulf of America

The funding opportunity titled Federal and University Partnership to Improve the Safety of Seafood from the Gulf of America is issued by the Food and Drug Administration, which operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety and security of the nation food supply, including seafood products. This opportunity reflects the agency commitment to advancing scientific research and collaboration to address food safety concerns, particularly those associated with seafood originating from the Gulf of America. The initiative is structured as a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement by the federal agency in project execution and oversight. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support a formal partnership between the FDA Office of Laboratory Operations and Applied Science, specifically the Office of Applied Microbiology and Technology, and the Marine Environmental Science Consortium Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Through this collaboration, the program seeks to enhance research, scientific exchange, and applied methodologies that improve seafood safety outcomes. The initiative emphasizes multidisciplinary cooperation, leveraging federal expertise alongside academic and research institution capabilities to address emerging risks and improve regulatory science. Funding under this opportunity is intended to support scientific collaboration, outreach efforts, educational programming, and the development of intellectual partnerships between the FDA and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Activities may include laboratory research, applied microbiology studies, data sharing initiatives, and training or capacity building related to seafood safety. While specific allowable costs are not detailed in the summary, cooperative agreements typically permit expenditures aligned with research, personnel, equipment, and programmatic collaboration necessary to achieve project objectives. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is highly restricted. It is designated as a single source award, meaning only the Marine Environmental Science Consortium Dauphin Island Sea Lab is eligible to apply. This exclusivity reflects an existing strategic partnership and the unique capabilities of the institution in marine science research. As such, no other universities, nonprofits, or entities are permitted to submit applications under this notice. The application process follows standard federal grant submission protocols through Grants.gov. Applicants must prepare and submit required forms, including those associated with SF424 application packages, in accordance with federal guidelines. These forms typically require detailed project descriptions, budget justifications, personnel information, and compliance documentation. The NIH and other Public Health Service agencies provide structured guidance on completing these forms, including requirements for formatting, submission validation, and compliance with federal policies regarding data, ethics, and reporting. The application timeline for this opportunity is clearly defined. The funding opportunity was posted on July 23, 2026, and applications are due by August 21, 2026. There are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers indicated. The opportunity does not specify recurring cycles, suggesting it is a one-time or non-recurring funding announcement. The archive date is listed as September 20, 2026, after which the opportunity will no longer be active in the system. No specific evaluation criteria are detailed in the summary, but cooperative agreement proposals are typically assessed based on scientific merit, alignment with agency priorities, feasibility, and the capability of the applicant organization. The FDA scientific and policy expertise will play an active role in evaluating and guiding the funded work. For additional information or assistance, applicants are directed to contact Patrick Johnson, who serves as the listed point of contact for this opportunity.