• What is the Flexible Funding Model (FFM) Cooperative Agreement Program?
• Which states are currently enrolled in the FFM Cooperative Agreement Program?
• Is funding available to assist states in the implementation of the FFM Cooperative Agreement Program?
• How does the FFM Cooperative Agreement Program integrate with FoodSHIELD?
• Who do I contact if I have questions about the FFM Cooperative Agreement Program?
• What is the Human Foods Preventive Controls (PC) Implementation Expansion Supplement?
• FFM CAP Fact Sheet (Version April 2022)

What is the Flexible Funding Model (FFM) Cooperative Agreement Program?

The intended outcome of this cooperative agreement program is to advance efforts for a nationally integrated food safety system (IFSS) by supporting Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS), Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) and Food Protection Task Force (FPTF) programs, as well as special projects supporting these programs.

Applicants must refer to the Eligibility Section of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to determine which funding track they should apply for: MFRPS Development or MFRPS Maintenance. Within each track, applicants applying for more than one funding options should include activities supporting the appropriate funding options, as outlined in the Schematic of the Flexible Funding Model document. Further information on eligibility for each of the funding options, maximum budget per program area and other administrative considerations, can be found in the document mentioned above.

Please see below for additional information: 

Flexible Funding Model Resources

• Schematic of the Flexible Funding Model
• Cover Sheet and Table Example
• MFRPS Funding Levels Criteria
• RRT Funding Levels Criteria
• RRT Development Yearly Expected Goals
• RRT Maintenance Yearly Expected Goals 

Which states are currently enrolled in the FFM Cooperative Agreement Program?

United States map displaying 41 FDA funded FFM cooperative agreement states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA*, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC*, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV*, WY

• Total of 44 awardees

  • CA - 2 state agencies (Dept of Health and Dept of Ag)

  • SC - 2 state agencies (Dept of Health and Dept of Ag)

  • WV - 2 state agencies (Dept of Health and Dept of Ag)

• Over $13.29M in funding under this cooperative agreement.

Is funding available to assist states in the implementation of the FFM Cooperative Agreement Program?

More information about this funding program can be obtained by viewing the latest Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Awards up to $640,000 per year will be given, based upon funding levels and options selected. Programs may receive up to 5 years of funding, based on performance and availability of funds.

How does the FFM Cooperative Agreement Program integrate with FoodSHIELD?

The FFM Cooperative Agreement Program uses the FoodSHIELD website to facilitate federal/state communication and collaboration in the development and implementation of this program. All state personnel actively involved in the FFM Cooperative Agreement Program should register for a FoodSHIELD account and join the MFRPS, RRT and/or FPTF Workgroups in FoodSHIELD as it relates to your respective track awards in your program. Click here to register for a FoodSHIELD account.

Who do I contact if I have questions about the FFM Cooperative Agreement Program?

For more information on this program. please review the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).

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 [email protected]. 

What is the Human Foods Preventive Controls (PC) Implementation Expansion Supplement?

This track is an expansion of the current Flexible Funding Model (FFM) Cooperative Agreement to include preventive controls for human foods.  This track is a supplement to the current MFRPS track within the cooperative agreement program. The intended outcome of this program expansion is to assist state manufactured food regulatory programs to the adoption and implementation of the Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation (PCHF Rule) codified as 21 CFR Part 117. PCHF is intended to ensure safe manufacturing/processing, packing and holding of food products for human consumption in the United States.  This objective is classified into several broad activities to enhance and support PCHF Rule and other human food FSMA related rules implementation.

This expansion supplement track was awarded in September 2020. Currently, there are a total of 12 states participating in this specific track: AK, GA, KS, NC, NY, OH, PA, RI, UT, VT, WA and WI.

Total amount for this specific track is over $1.6M.

More information can be found in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). Note: Since the posting of the FOA announcement, the criteria have changed prior to the distribution of the program track awards. The funding maximum allotment is up to $150,000 for each grantee and the main objectives for this expansion track have been limited to only IT-data exchange capabilities, information sharing coordination and training auditors or new staff to perform full scope Preventive Controls (PC) inspections. These new changes are not stated in the FOA link above.