Education and Outreach to Tribal Producers through the Tribal Food Safety Alliance

The Education and Outreach to Tribal Producers through the Tribal Food Safety Alliance funding opportunity is offered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under the Department of Health and Human Services. This cooperative agreement is administered through the Human Foods Program and is designed to strengthen food safety systems within Tribal agricultural communities. The program is rooted in the Food Safety Modernization Act, which mandates prevention-based controls across the food supply and emphasizes collaboration with Tribal governments and organizations to improve national food safety outcomes. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to develop and deliver culturally appropriate education, training, outreach, and technical assistance related to the FDA Produce Safety Rule. The program specifically targets produce farmers who are members of federally recognized Tribes, including those not currently required to comply but who may benefit from voluntary compliance. Activities must incorporate Tribal history, cultural practices, and regional agricultural contexts to ensure relevance and effectiveness. The initiative aims to improve public health outcomes by increasing compliance with food safety standards and reducing foodborne illness risks in Tribal communities. Funding is structured as a cooperative agreement with substantial involvement from the FDA. The program anticipates an annual budget of up to 500000 dollars for a single award, with funding expected for one year and the possibility of renewal for up to four additional years based on performance and appropriations. Applicants must propose a detailed multi-year budget aligned with an annual work plan. Allowable activities include education and training delivery, outreach engagement, development of technical assistance resources, and coordination with federal and Tribal partners. No cost sharing or matching funds are required. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is highly restricted, as it is designated as a single source award. Only the University of Arkansas is eligible to apply. The applicant must demonstrate strong existing relationships with Tribal communities and experience in developing culturally appropriate food safety education. Collaboration with Tribal leaders, federal agencies, and national food safety networks is required. Subawards to other qualified organizations are permitted and encouraged to expand program reach and effectiveness. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and compliance with both general application guidelines and specific instructions outlined in the funding announcement. Required components include a detailed research strategy, annual work plans, staffing structure, budget justifications, and plans for data management and evaluation. Applications must align with phased program implementation requirements, including planning, trainer network development, and full program execution with continuous improvement. Evaluation criteria include significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, approach, and environment. Key dates for this opportunity include an application opening date of July 20, 2026 and a submission deadline of August 20, 2026. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM local time, and late submissions will not be accepted. There is no letter of intent requirement. The funding opportunity expires on August 21, 2026. Award decisions are based on programmatic review by FDA staff, with emphasis on the project’s potential to achieve measurable public health outcomes and strengthen Tribal food safety systems. Following award, recipients must adhere to extensive reporting and performance requirements, including quarterly and annual progress reports, data analysis, and evaluation metrics. The program is implemented in phases, with FDA approval required to advance between stages. The overall project period may extend up to five years. Recipients must maintain compliance with federal regulations, cybersecurity standards, and data sharing policies. This structured and collaborative approach ensures accountability, continuous improvement, and alignment with national food safety priorities.

Emphasize Tribal partnerships, culturally relevant training approaches, and measurable public health outcomes aligned with FDA Produce Safety Rule priorities