NEHA-FDA RFFM Grant Program
The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) work in partnership to administer the NEHA-FDA Retail Flexible Funding Model (RFFM) Grant Program. The program provides funding to State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) retail food regulatory agencies as they advance conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (Retail Program Standards). FDA is utilizing NEHA’s strengths to assist SLTT retail food programs in their efforts to reduce the occurrence of foodborne illness risk factors and implement and attain conformance with the Retail Program Standards.
Application Portal Opening on October 1, 2024
The NEHA-FDA RFFM Grant Portal will open for both one-year and three-year grant applications on October 1, 2024. See below for additional information on the new and improved funding opportunities for the CY2025-2027 funding cycle and be sure to sign up for the webinars scheduled for October 1 and November 5.
Access The Grant Portal
Grant applicants and existing users can access the grant portal by logging in with their existing credentials. The Grant Portal can be used to view application status, view existing grants, and complete required reporting.
Retail Food Safety Regulatory Workforce Standardization Census
If you lead standardization for your regulatory retail food safety program, please complete our short census.
Program Findings
Learn more about the Grant Program by reading about our published research.
Calendar Year 2025 Applications
The NEHA-FDA RFFM Grant Portal will open for applications on October 1, 2024 and will remain open until November 20, 2024. SLTT retail food regulatory agencies will once again be able to apply for a base grant through one of three tracks and up to two optional add-on grants (for Tracks 2 and 3).
Combined Applications
All three base grant tracks are now offered as combined applications including options to request funds for work on Standards 1-9, a Mentee Optional Add-On, and a Training Optional Add-On, reducing the application burden for SLTT jurisdictions.
Fixed Funding Awards
Most funding, in all three tracks, will be available as Fixed Funding Awards based on specific milestones met, significantly reducing both the application and reporting burdens. The only funding that will require budget details and reimbursement documentation will be:
- Training Optional Add-On (Tracks 1, 2, and 3)
- Capacity Building Optional Add-On (Track 3)
- Special Projects Optional Add-On Grant (an optional, additional application for Track 2 and 3 base applicants)
Three-Year Grants Available
Applications for three-year grants will once again be available in CY 2025, offering consistent three-year funding to support SLTT progress with the Retail Program Standards. Updates to these grants include:
- A Track 3 Maintenance and Advancement Base Grant that is simpler, includes the options to request Mentee and Training funds as part of the Base Grant Application, and is designed to allow many more SLTTs to be awarded and supported for their Retail Program Standards work in CY 2025, CY 2026, and CY 2027.
- Capacity Building funds will once again be available, offering up to $100,000 in FTE support for three years ($300,000 total).
Additional Details
- Mentor and Special Projects applications will also once again be opening.
- The full NEHA-FDA CY 2025 RFFM Grant Guidance, with details on changes and updates to the program, will be posted no later than October 1, 2024.
CY 2025 Webinars
Whether you are a veteran RFFM grant recipient or applying for the first time, join us for one of our informative webinars to answer your questions about the applications, training, deadlines, and resources available for CY 2025.
Two seminars are being offered:
- Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 12-1 pm ET
- Tuesday, November 5, 2024, 12-1 pm ET
Access the Grant Portal
From the Grant Portal, registered users and current grantees can:
- Apply for CY 2025 or CY 2025-27 funding
- View and print granted and declined applications
- View and print official NEHA-FDA RFFM Grant Program Award Letters
- Access required reports and due dates, complete reports, and request payments
New Applicants
New applicants to the NEHA-FDA RFFM Grant Program will need to create an account to access the Grant Portal and complete their CY 2025 application(s). To register, use the “Access the Grant Portal” link and select “Create an Account Now.” New users can register now through November 18, 2024.
Returning Users and Current Grantees
Returning users and current grantees can use the "Access the Grant Portal" link to log in to the Grant Portal using your existing username and password.
Payments and Reporting for CY 2024 Grants
All reporting for CY 2024 grants is due February 13, 2025. For CY 2024, the Final Reimbursement Request (as used in CY 2022 and CY 2023) and Final Progress Report have been combined into one comprehensive and grant-type specific Final Progress Report. Therefore, all expense reporting, as well as reporting on deliverables met, will be completed through a single Final Progress Report.
Submit Early, Get Paid Fast
Final Progress Reports are now available in the Grant Portal. We encourage you to submit your Final Progress Report as soon as your project is completed to expedite the reimbursement process.
Advance Payments are still an option for all grant types. Please reach out to the NEHA-FDA RFFM Grant Program Support Team to request an advance payment.
For specific instructions on completing and submitting reports, select “CY 2024 Complete and Detailed Reporting and Payment Instructions” from the Grantee Resources page.
Key Dates
- October 1, 2024: Grant Portal Opens to Accept New CY 2025 and CY 2025-27 Applications
- October 1, 2024, 12-1 pm ET: CY 2025 Grant Program Webinar #1
- November 5, 2024, 12-1 pm ET: CY 2025 Grant Program Webinar #2
- November 20, 2024: Grant Portal Closes
- December 31, 2024: Grant Performance Period ends for all open one-year (CY 2024) and three-year (CY 2022-24) grants
- January 2025: Award Letters are issued for CY 2025 and CY 2025-27 awards
- January 14, 2025: Grant Performance Period begins for CY 2025 and CY 2025-27 awards
- February 13, 2025: Final Progress Reports due for CY 2024 and CY 2022-24 awards
Hear what our grantees have to say about their experience on our Grantee Testimonials page.
Contact
For more information and support, contact:
NEHA-FDA Retail Flexible Funding Model Grant Program Support Team
Email: retailgrants@neha.org
Toll-Free: 1-833-575-2404
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