The NARMS cooperative agreement aims to improve the detection of antibiotic resistance in bacteria found in food commodities. It also seeks to expand sampling sites to broaden the scope of surveillance.
This grant is offered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is available to all states, counties, and U.S. territories including American Samoa, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The funding ranges from $100,000 to $500,000 with a project duration of up to five years. The application deadline is March 1, 2027.
The grant builds upon the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS), established in 1996 as part of a national plan to combat antibiotic resistance threats. Its purpose is to enhance and sustain antibiotic resistance surveillance in retail food samples, promoting public health.
The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine plans to fund up to $5 million for fiscal year 2025 to support this program. About 35 awards are expected, with each award not exceeding $200,000 annually for direct and indirect costs over five years.
Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations such as higher education institutions, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), for-profit organizations, small businesses, various government entities at the federal, state, and local levels, tribal governments, school districts, housing authorities, faith-based and community organizations, and regional organizations.
Funding for future years depends on annual appropriations and program priorities. Applicants must submit budgets reflecting their project’s actual needs, not exceeding the specified limits each year.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
