Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA FD 26 009
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement titled "Education and Outreach to Tribal Producers through the Tribal Food Safety Alliance" (Funding Opportunity Number: RFA FD 26 009; CFDA/Assistance Listing: 93.103). The program is focused on strengthening food safety education, training, and outreach related to the FDA's Produce Safety Rule for produce growers who are members of federally recognized Tribes. The central aim is practical: help Tribal produce farmers understand what the Produce Safety Rule requires, build the skills and confidence to apply it on-farm, and connect them with technical assistance that fits their operations and local conditions.
A key feature of the opportunity is its emphasis on culturally and regionally appropriate support. All proposed activities are expected to account for Tribal history, culture, and the agricultural practices common in different regions. In practice, that means the education and outreach are not meant to be generic compliance messaging. Instead, the program is intended to meet producers where they are, recognizing that Tribal farming contexts can differ widely in scale, crops, infrastructure, geography, water access, and community priorities. The effort can include farmers who are currently subject to the Produce Safety Rule as well as those who may be exempt or not yet required to comply, but who want to align with the rule voluntarily because they see economic advantages, market access benefits, or long-term value in adopting recognized food safety practices.
The opportunity anticipates supporting Tribal farmers not only with information, but also with access to appropriate technical assistance. That can include guidance on how to implement produce safety best practices and how to interpret the Produce Safety Rule in real-world farming situations. The program is positioned as a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial involvement by the FDA during the project, such as collaboration on goals, coordination, or programmatic oversight beyond what is typical for a standard grant.
This is a sole-source funding action, with the University of Arkansas identified as the recipient. The FDA expects to make one award, with an award ceiling of $500,000. The opportunity was created on 2026-07-20, and the original closing date is 2026-08-20. Overall, the grant is designed to strengthen produce safety capacity in Tribal farming communities by delivering targeted, culturally responsive training and outreach that helps producers understand the Produce Safety Rule and, when they choose, adopt practices that support compliance and broader market opportunities.Apply for RFA FD 26 009
- The Food and Drug Administration in the agriculture, consumer protection, food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Education and Outreach to Tribal Producers through the Tribal Food Safety Alliance" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.103.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-20. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this FDA funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Education and Outreach to Tribal Producers through the Tribal Food Safety Alliance."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA FD 26 009.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number for this program?
The CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 93.103.
What is the main purpose of this cooperative agreement?
The purpose is to strengthen food safety education, training, and outreach related to the FDA's Produce Safety Rule for produce growers who are members of federally recognized Tribes. The practical goal is to help Tribal produce farmers understand what the rule requires, build skills and confidence to apply it on-farm, and connect with technical assistance that fits their operations and local conditions.
Who is the program intended to serve?
The program is focused on produce growers who are members of federally recognized Tribes, including producers who are currently subject to the Produce Safety Rule and those who may be exempt or not yet required to comply.
Is this only for growers who are required to comply with the Produce Safety Rule?
No. The effort can include farmers who are currently subject to the rule as well as those who may be exempt or not yet required to comply, but who want to align with the rule voluntarily for reasons like economic advantages, market access benefits, or the long-term value of adopting recognized food safety practices.
What kinds of activities does the opportunity support?
Supported activities include food safety education, training, and outreach tied to the Produce Safety Rule, along with connecting producers to appropriate technical assistance. The assistance can cover how to implement produce safety best practices and how to interpret the Produce Safety Rule in real-world farming situations.
What does "culturally and regionally appropriate" mean in this opportunity?
It means proposed activities are expected to account for Tribal history, culture, and regional agricultural practices. The education and outreach are not intended to be generic compliance messaging. Instead, they should reflect the realities of different Tribal farming contexts, which can vary by scale, crops, infrastructure, geography, water access, and community priorities.
Is the program focused on compliance messaging or practical on-farm support?
The central aim is practical. The program is designed to help producers understand requirements, build skills and confidence to apply them on-farm, and get technical assistance that fits their operations and local conditions, rather than delivering generic compliance-only messaging.
What type of award is this?
This opportunity is a discretionary cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement generally indicates substantial FDA involvement during the project, such as collaboration on goals, coordination, or programmatic oversight beyond what is typical for a standard grant.
Is this a competitive opportunity open to multiple applicants?
No. This is described as a sole-source funding action.
Who is identified as the recipient?
The University of Arkansas is identified as the recipient.
How many awards does the FDA expect to make?
The FDA expects to make one award.
What is the maximum funding amount available?
The award ceiling is $500,000.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-07-20.
What is the original closing date?
The original closing date is 2026-08-20.
What is the overall outcome the FDA is trying to achieve?
The grant is designed to strengthen produce safety capacity in Tribal farming communities by delivering targeted, culturally responsive training and outreach that helps producers understand the Produce Safety Rule and, when they choose, adopt practices that support compliance and broader market opportunities.
Why might exempt or not-yet-covered producers choose to participate?
The opportunity notes that some producers may want to align voluntarily because they see potential economic advantages, market access benefits, or long-term value in adopting recognized produce safety practices consistent with the Produce Safety Rule.
Does the opportunity mention technical assistance, and what could that include?
Yes. It anticipates supporting farmers with access to appropriate technical assistance, including guidance on implementing produce safety best practices and interpreting the Produce Safety Rule in real-world on-farm situations.
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