Cooperative Agreement Program to Strengthen Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance in Retail Food Specimens
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations that conduct surveillance or research on antibiotic resistance in retail food specimens, particularly through the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS). Eligible applicants typically include state and local health departments, universities, research institutions, and public health laboratories with capacity to collect and analyze food samples for antimicrobial resistance. The program supports activities that strengthen monitoring infrastructure, enhance laboratory capabilities, and generate surveillance data on antibiotic-resistant pathogens in the U.S. food supply. Geographic scope is nationwide, with priority given to organizations that can contribute to a coordinated national surveillance network and provide ongoing data collection.
This grant is for organizations that conduct surveillance or research on antibiotic resistance in retail food specimens, particularly through the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS). Eligible applicants typically include state and local health departments, universities, research institutions, and public health laboratories with capacity to collect and analyze food samples for antimicrobial resistance. The program supports activities that strengthen monitoring infrastructure, enhance laboratory capabilities, and generate surveillance data on antibiotic-resistant pathogens in the U.S. food supply. Geographic scope is nationwide, with priority given to organizations that can contribute to a coordinated national surveillance network and provide ongoing data collection.
Program description
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), builds upon the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) which was initiated in 1996 as one of the key activities in a national action plan to combat antibiotic resistance threats. The purpose of this FOA is to protect and promote public health by enhancing, strengthening, and sustaining antibiotic resistance surveillance in retail food specimens within the NARMS program. The NARMS cooperative agreement is intended to improve the detection of antibiotic resistance among bacteria in food commodities, as well as expand to new sites to expand the scope of sampling. Measurable outcomes of the program will be in alignment with the NARMS Objectives.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for organizations that conduct surveillance or research on antibiotic resistance in retail food specimens, particularly through the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS). Eligible applicants typically include state and local health departments, universities, research institutions, and public health laboratories with capacity to collect and analyze food samples for antimicrobial resistance. The program supports activities that strengthen monitoring infrastructure, enhance laboratory capabilities, and generate surveillance data on antibiotic-resistant pathogens in the U.S. food supply. Geographic scope is nationwide, with priority given to organizations that can contribute to a coordinated national surveillance network and provide ongoing data collection.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative describing surveillance scope, laboratory methods, and data collection procedures
- Detailed budget and budget justification
- Organization's capability statement and laboratory qualifications/accreditations
- Letters of support from partner agencies or collaborating institutions
- Data management plan and quality assurance procedures
- Organizational capacity documentation (staff expertise, equipment, infrastructure)
- Indirect cost rate agreement (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Stephanie Bogan Grantor
- 📧 jenise.mcnair@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
-
$76,105,626
-
$50,217,964
-
$47,940,304
-
$36,000,000
-
$35,573,997
-
$35,391,995
-
$30,732,300
-
$23,332,999
-
$21,347,288
Top States by Funding
- AZ 3 awards $131.4M
- MD 7 awards $108.5M
- CA 9 awards $106.5M
- VA 5 awards $96.6M
- PA 10 awards $77.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
State and local health departments, public health laboratories, academic institutions, and research organizations with laboratory capacity and expertise in food microbiology are typically eligible. Check the NARMS program requirements to confirm your organization meets specific credentialing and infrastructure standards.
What is the typical funding range for this cooperative agreement?
Cooperative agreements under NARMS typically range from $50,000 to several hundred thousand dollars annually, though exact amounts vary by scope and award year. Contact FDA for current budget guidance.
What types of activities are supported?
Eligible activities include collecting and testing retail food specimens for antibiotic resistance, maintaining surveillance infrastructure, conducting laboratory analysis, data management and reporting, staff training, and quality assurance activities that contribute to the national surveillance network.
When is the deadline and how should I track it?
The deadline is April 1, 2027, with the application period opening July 11, 2025. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov using the CFDA number 93.103.
How competitive is this funding?
NARMS is a well-established surveillance program with consistent federal investment. Competition depends on the number of positions available and organizational capacity. Organizations with existing laboratory infrastructure and surveillance experience are typically more competitive.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your laboratory's capacity to conduct standardized testing according to FDA protocols and quality assurance standards for isolate identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
- Demonstrate how your organization will contribute meaningfully to the national NARMS surveillance network, including commitment to timely data submission and participation in collaborative quality control activities.
- Detail your plan for specimen collection, processing, and chain-of-custody procedures, particularly if working with retail food distribution channels or specific commodities.
- Include letters of support or data sharing agreements from relevant state and local health agencies, retail partners, or other collaborating organizations to strengthen the application.
- Highlight any existing infrastructure (laboratory equipment, trained staff, data management systems) that positions your organization to implement and sustain surveillance activities over the grant period.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications frequently fail when organizations lack demonstrated laboratory capacity, accreditation, or prior experience with standardized antimicrobial susceptibility testing protocols. Another common issue is insufficient detail about how the organization will sustain surveillance activities and contribute to data completeness required by the national NARMS program. Finally, weak coordination plans or unclear roles with state/local health departments can undermine competitiveness.
Similar grants
- OPEN 27-0343-10 FFY27 Local Agency General Non-Enforcement — Illinois Department of Transportation
- ROLLING Annual Agency Threshold Application Applicants for Funding Start Here — Texas City of Austin - Austin Public Health
- ROLLING Preservation Trust Fund – Easement Assistance – (PTF-EA) — Virginia Outdoors Foundation
- CLOSED Virginia’s Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Grant – FY26 — Virginia The Virginia Department of Historic Resources
- OPEN Virginia Farm Recovery Block Grant (2026) — Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services