• What is the Retail Flexible Funding Model Cooperative Agreement Program (CAP)?
• What are the objectives of this cooperative agreement?
• Who is the current awardee?
• What funding is available for state, local, tribal, and territorial regulatory retail food programs through this funding opportunity?
• Who may I contact for more information?
• Retail Flexible Funding Model CAP Fact Sheet (Version January 2022)

What is the Retail Flexible Funding Model Cooperative Agreement Program?

The Retail Flexible Funding Model Cooperative Agreement Program (RFFM CAP) provides funding to a national association/organization to develop, implement, and manage the Retail Flexible Funding Model (RFFM) program in which state, local, tribal, and territorial retail food regulatory programs can apply and be sub awarded funds for completion of projects to reduce foodborne illness risk factors, move towards full conformance with the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS or Retail Program Standards) and fully leverage SLTT retail regulatory agencies. In addition, the national association will address objectives related to Standardization and Training.  

What are the objectives of this cooperative agreement?

The following are the goals of this cooperative agreement:

• Develop and implement a system to administer financial assistance to State, local, territorial, and tribal retail regulatory food programs based on the FDA VNRFRPS retail flexible funding model.
• Develop and implement a standardized method to assess training needs of retail food regulatory jurisdictions and facilitate meeting those needs.
• Develop and implement a tracking system that quantifies the extent of Standardization of regulatory food safety inspection personnel within, and amount, regulatory retail food jurisdictions.

Who is the current awardee?

• The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) has been awarded this cooperative agreement.
• $10M in funding under this cooperative agreement program.

What funding is available for state, local, tribal, and territorial regulatory retail food programs through this funding opportunity?

Funding levels and project eligibility vary based on the type of work a jurisdiction would like to apply.  Jurisdictions may choose between development or maintenance and advancement base funding.  Once a jurisdiction applies for a base funding box, they can then apply for optional add-ons if they meet the eligibility requirements.  The optional add-ons are for mentorship, training/staff development and program standards engagement, capacity building, and special projects.

In collaboration with the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Regulatory Affairs is pleased to announce that registration for the Retail Flexible Funding Model (RFFM) Grant Program is now open.  Grant applications will be accepted from September 9 through November 15, 2021.  State, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) retail food regulatory programs may register and apply for funding by visiting:  http://neha.org/retailgrants.  To learn more about the RFFM Grant Program, please view our YouTube video at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm-oFvr7Utc&feature=youtu.be.   

Who may I contact for more information?

For more information on the funding available to state, local, tribal, and territorial retail food regulatory jurisdictions through this cooperative agreement, please visit NEHAs page: NEHA-FDA Retail Flexible Funding Model Grant Program | National Environmental Health Association: NEHA

Specific questions on this program can be directed to the appropriate Office of Partnerships' contact within the Division of Partnership Investments and Agreements. Please visit the Office of Partnerships Contacts webpage to obtain a downloaded version of the staffing roster.

General questions can be directed to the Office of Partnerships' general mailbox: [email protected].