Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM)
🏛 Food and Drug Administration (HHS-FDA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 4, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for FDA-regulated facilities and laboratories seeking flexible funding to support modernization, equipment acquisition, and operational improvements. Eligible applicants typically include FDA-registered drug manufacturing facilities, clinical laboratories, compounding pharmacies, and other laboratories regulated by the FDA. The program prioritizes facilities that serve public health goals and can demonstrate alignment with FDA priorities such as supply chain resilience, quality improvements, and regulatory compliance. Geographic scope is nationwide, and applicants must be able to document their FDA registration status and describe how funding will strengthen laboratory operations or manufacturing capacity.
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Program description
This cooperative agreement is intended to enhance the capacity and capabilities of state human and animal food testing laboratories in support of an integrated food safety system (IFSS). This is achieved through prioritized sample testing and food defense preparedness in the areas of microbiology, chemistry, and radiochemistry, as well as method development and capacity/capability development projects that support and expand food safety and food defense testing.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Detailed project narrative (typically 15-20 pages maximum)
- Budget and budget narrative justifying all expenses
- Proof of FDA registration or regulatory status
- Organizational capacity documentation (financial statements, compliance history, management plan)
- Letters of support from relevant stakeholders or partner organizations
- Disclosure of lobbying activities (SF-LLL if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Stephanie Bogan Grantor
- 📧 lisa.pendleton@fda.hhs.gov
- 📞 3018276802
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.103 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$121,795,918
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$76,105,626
-
$52,265,594
-
$47,940,304
-
$36,000,000
-
$35,573,997
-
$35,391,995
-
$30,732,300
-
$24,423,552
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$23,332,999
Top States by Funding
- AZ 4 awards $134.7M
- CA 9 awards $111.3M
- MD 7 awards $110.9M
- VA 6 awards $100.3M
- PA 11 awards $81.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.103). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2016 | $170,482,435 | |
| 2017 est. | $208,900,832 | |
| 2018 | $173,077,408 | |
| 2019 | $198,507,896 | |
| 2020 | $212,448,590 | |
| 2021 | $218,918,739 | |
| 2022 est. | $255,910,458 | |
| 2023 est. | $246,894,600 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for LFFM funding?
Typically FDA-regulated facilities such as pharmaceutical manufacturers, clinical laboratories, compounding pharmacies, and other registered laboratories. Applicants must be registered with the FDA and demonstrate relevance to FDA's public health mission.
What is the application deadline?
The fixed deadline is January 11, 2028, with applications opening February 6, 2025. Check the FDA website for any updates to these dates.
What types of activities does this funding support?
Common eligible activities include laboratory equipment acquisition, facility modernization, quality system improvements, staff training, and upgrades that enhance regulatory compliance or laboratory capacity.
How competitive is this grant?
As a flexible funding mechanism, competitiveness may vary by year. Applications that clearly align with FDA strategic priorities and demonstrate strong operational outcomes tend to score well.
What is the typical funding range?
Specific award amounts vary. Applicants should consult the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for current budget limitations and cost-sharing requirements.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) carefully for specific priorities and evaluation criteria that may change annually
- Document your facility's FDA registration status and current compliance posture early in the application process
- Clearly articulate how the project will strengthen laboratory operations or manufacturing capacity in ways that serve public health
- Include letters of support from relevant FDA divisions or other federal agencies if you have existing collaborations
- Prepare detailed budget narratives that explain how flexible funding will be deployed to achieve measurable outcomes
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applications lack sufficient detail about how funding will achieve quantifiable improvements in laboratory performance or regulatory compliance. Others fail to clearly demonstrate alignment with FDA's current strategic priorities, such as supply chain resilience or emerging threats. Weak applications often underestimate the documentation burden and do not provide evidence of institutional capacity to manage federal funds effectively.
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