Subject: 2017 State Cooperative Program Grants in support of Grade “A” Milk Safety Programs and National Shellfish Sanitation Programs – Grant Application Portal Opens December 6^th!

Message:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in collaboration with the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS), the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC), and the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), are proud to announce the 2017 State Cooperative Program Grants for Grade “A” Milk Safety and National Shellfish Sanitation Programs.

This grants program provides funds for training and equipment purchases in support of milk and shellfish regulatory programs.  The grant portal will be open to accept applications for the 2017 funding year on December 6, 2016; and will close on January 5, 2017 at 7:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. Complete instructions, including the 2017 Grant Guidance, will be available at http://afdo.org/msgrants prior to the opening of the portal.

Grant funding is open to state or territorial (Puerto Rico) agencies that have the regulatory authority to implement the Grade “A” Milk Safety Program and/or the National Shellfish Sanitation Program.

Applicants to this program can expect a simple application process, up-front funding when required by the project, and simple reporting requirements.  Project categories include:

• Category 1 – 2017 Annual Program Training Needs Grants for Milk and Shellfish Programs: Funding for Milk Sanitation Rating Officers (SROs), Laboratory Evaluation Officers (LEOs), Shellfish Sanitation Officers (SSOs) and other Regulatory Staff Members to attend Required Training and Other Courses for Calendar Year 2017 (Minimum: $500/No Maximum, but total requested funding should not average more than $2,000 per person per course unless justification is provided in the Detailed Budget). Example: Applicants will have the opportunity to request travel funds for your program’s annual training needs to allow attendance at training courses, workshops, and seminars that advance the goals of the Grade “A” Milk Safety and/or the National Shellfish Sanitation Programs.
• Category 2 – Equipment Grants for Milk and Shellfish Programs: Equipment purchases that support the Grade “A” Milk Safety Program (maximum of $3,000 per agency) and/or the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (maximum of $5,000 per agency) – Example: Purchase of program-related equipment that helps to improve Milk or Shellfish safety and/or increase the efficiency and/or effectiveness of your regulatory program.

What’s Next?

Please visit http://afdo.org/msgrants as it will always contain the most up-to-date information about the grant program. If you would like to receive news and updates when new information is available, please register your email address here.

If you have any questions, please contact us at (850) 583-4593 or msgrants@afdo.org.