Food Safety Education Fund Grants Program

The Food Safety Education Fund Grants Program is administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), a state agency responsible for ensuring food safety, protecting agricultural systems, and supporting rural development across Michigan. The program is authorized under the Michigan Food Law of 2000, Section 4117, which established a dedicated fund to support food safety education initiatives. Funding for the program is generated through assessments on food establishment licenses, typically ranging from three to five dollars per license, which are pooled into the education fund and redistributed through competitive grants. The primary purpose of this grant program is to improve food safety outcomes by supporting education and training initiatives targeting two main audiences: consumers and food service establishment employees, including regulatory agents responsible for enforcing the Michigan Food Law. For the 2026–2027 cycle, the total available funding is up to 356,600 dollars, with approximately 242,500 dollars allocated to consumer education and 114,100 dollars designated for training food service personnel and enforcement agents. Projects are expected to demonstrate measurable outcomes and contribute to improved food safety practices across the state. Funds awarded through this program are intended strictly for educational and training activities related to food safety. Proposals should not include routine or required certification programs such as HACCP training or ServSafe manager certification. The grant operates as a cost-reimbursement model, meaning recipients must initially cover project expenses and submit appropriate documentation, including invoices and financial reports, to receive reimbursement. Grantees may request reimbursement up to four times during the 12-month grant cycle, contingent upon submission and approval of required documentation. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to Michigan-based governmental entities and nonprofit organizations. Private sector entities such as producers, marketers, processors, and growers are explicitly excluded from eligibility. However, proposals may include subgrantees if appropriately structured. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to implement effective training programs and provide detailed project plans, budgets, and anticipated outcomes aligned with program goals. The application process requires submission of a completed proposal using the official grant application provided by MDARD. The request for proposals (RFP) is released on May 1, 2026, and all applications must be submitted electronically by the end of the day on June 16, 2026. Submissions are sent via email to the designated program inbox, and applicants are advised to confirm receipt within five business days. The application includes detailed instructions, eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission guidelines. Proposals are evaluated by joint review committees during July and August 2026. Evaluation criteria include project purpose, expected impact and audience reach, measurable outcomes, work plan feasibility, budget justification, and potential for lasting impact. Final award decisions are announced in September 2026. Funded projects will operate over a defined performance period from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, with the possibility of multi-year funding considered on a case-by-case basis depending on future funding availability.

Emphasize measurable outcomes audience reach and long-term impact; ensure budget justification aligns with work plan; clearly distinguish project from routine training requirements