April 27, 2000

The Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) is planning to publish a request for applications (RFA) in the Federal Register announcing the availability of research funds for fiscal year (FY) 2000. These funds will support cooperative agreements to study efficacy of antimicrobials on fresh produce using standard inoculation techniques and surrogates; sampling, detection methods, and ecology of Salmonella Enteritidis in eggs and the egg production environment; development of extraction methods for viruses from foods; and cooking and food storage practices in foodservice from processing to consumption. Approximately $600,000 will be available in FY 2000. FDA anticipates making four to six Cooperative Agreement awards at $100,000 to $200,000 per award per year (direct and indirect costs). Support for these agreements may be for up to three years. The number of agreements funded will depend on the quality of the applications received and the availability of Federal funds to support the projects.

We anticipate that the RFA will publish in the Federal Register in June 2000. FDA will not accept any materials prior to the actual published due date for submission. This is only an advance notice and no activity should be taken by any organization prior to the submission and award of an application.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Marianne Miliotis, Ph.D., Office of Plant, Dairy Food, and Beverages, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS-327), Food and Drug Administration, 200 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20204
Telephone: (202) 205-4824; FAX: (202) 205-4939.

If you wish to receive a copy of the RFA after publication in the Federal Register please contact: Maura Stephanos, Grants Management Specialist, Grants Management Office (HFA-520), Division of Contracts and Procurement Management, Office of the Director, Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, rm. 2129, Rockville, MD 20857, Tel. (301) 827-7183.