Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM) | RFA FD 25 007

Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA FD 25 007

The Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM) grant opportunity (RFA FD 25 007) is a discretionary cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to strengthen the nationwide network of human and animal food testing laboratories. The core goal is to build and sustain a more integrated food safety system (IFSS) by expanding laboratory capacity (how much testing can be done) and capability (how well, how broadly, and how reliably testing can be performed). In practical terms, the program is designed to help public labs and partner institutions deliver faster, higher-quality testing that supports both routine food safety work and preparedness for intentional contamination or other food defense events.

Funding is focused on several technical areas that underpin modern food laboratory response: microbiology, chemistry, and radiochemistry. Supported work includes prioritized sample testing (the ability to surge and process high-priority samples quickly when events occur), food defense preparedness activities, and projects that develop or improve testing methods. The opportunity also supports broader capacity and capability development, meaning funds can be used to strengthen foundational systems and infrastructure that allow labs to expand their testing menus, improve turnaround time, increase throughput, or enhance readiness for emerging hazards and new analytical demands. Because this is a cooperative agreement, recipients should expect substantial FDA involvement during the project period, such as coordination, technical input, performance oversight, and alignment with national food safety priorities.

Eligibility is broad but still oriented toward public-serving laboratory systems and partners. Eligible applicants include state governments and local governments (county, city/township, and special district), public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations (including both federally recognized governments and other tribal organizations). The funding activity aligns with Agriculture, Consumer Protection, and Food and Nutrition, and is listed under CFDA/Assistance Listing number 93.103.

Quality and regulatory prerequisites are a major feature of this opportunity and vary by the type of track an applicant is pursuing. For applicants seeking product testing tracks, the organization must hold ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for at least one human or animal food testing method that matches the discipline being applied for (for example, an accredited microbiological method if applying under a microbiology testing track). For applicants applying under tracks other than product testing, the organization must either be ISO/IEC 17025 accredited or have a quality system robust enough to ensure reliable laboratory work. The notice highlights common quality-system elements FDA expects to see, including validated methods, document control, training programs, and analyst competency requirements. In addition, for any track other than Whole Genome Sequencing, the applicant must already have a valid FDA 20.88 agreement in place at the time of application, meaning applicants need to secure that formal agreement before submitting if they intend to compete outside the Whole Genome Sequencing track.

From a funding and scale standpoint, the program is substantial. The award ceiling is $1,500,000 per award, with an anticipated total of about 75 awards. The opportunity was created on February 6, 2025, and lists an original closing date of January 11, 2028, which signals an extended application window or multiple cycles under the same announcement structure. Overall, LFFM is positioned as a key mechanism for FDA to invest in a capable, quality-driven laboratory network that can meet day-to-day food safety testing needs while also maintaining strong readiness for outbreaks, contamination incidents, and food defense challenges across the U.S. food system.

• The Food and Drug Administration in the agriculture, consumer protection, food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.103.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2025-02-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2028-01-11.
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 75 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for RFA FD 25 007

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