The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Safety (FSIL) invites researchers at minority serving institutions (MSIs), as defined under part F of the Higher Education Act, 20 U.S. Code § 1067q, to submit proposals for research projects that support FSIL’s mission to reduce the burden of foodborne illness on individuals, households and communities through data-driven food safety policies and practices.

Deadlines

• April 29, 2021 (1 p.m. EDT) Introductory webinar.
• May 19, 2021 (5 p.m. EDT) Ideation applications due.
• June 24, 2021 (5 p.m. EDT) Concept notes due.

Funding

• Applicants may request up to $200,000 per year for a total of up to $400,000.
• The proposed research must be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2023.

Researchers

• Researchers at U.S.-based MSIs, as defined under part F of the Higher Education Act, 20 U.S. Code § 1067q, are eligible to serve as project leaders.
• Each proposal must include at least one in-country academic institution.
• All types of U.S. and non-U.S. entities are eligible as additional partners, provided that they are not excluded from U.S. government acquisition and assistance awards.
• Early career faculty and researchers with limited experience in research for global development are encouraged to apply.
• Projects are welcomed from a range of fields, including food science, food microbiology, food processing, food chemistry, agribusiness, agricultural economics, agricultural education, animal science, family and consumer sciences, gender studies, microbiology, epidemiology, public health, human nutrition and international relations and affairs.

Projects

• Projects should address one of the following priorities:
  • Food safety economics to inform and prioritize investment strategies.
  • Baseline surveillance/burden of microbial foodborne disease and correlation with malnutrition status.
  • Food chemical hazards (e.g., pesticide residues, heavy metals, mycotoxin contamination).
• Projects will take place in one or more of the following countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ghana, Haiti, Kenya, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda.

Selection

There is a three-stage application process to promote the formation of dynamic, complementary teams that can creatively address FSIL research priorities:

• Stage 1 — Ideation: A brief application (template provided) is required for participation in the precompetitive facilitated ideation workshop which will support the development of potential project partnerships. Individuals must participate in the ideation stage to be eligible to lead a concept note submission.
• Stage 2 — Concept note: All attendees of the ideation session are invited to submit concept notes delineating the proposed research teams (domestic and in-country partners), project objectives and scope and preliminary budgets.
• Stage 3 — Invited full proposals: Successful concept notes will be invited to develop full proposals with support from FSIL management and technical experts.

Review panels will be comprised of the FSIL director and associate director, MSI partnerships liaison, advisory committee, technical experts and the USAID Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR).

FSIL expects to fund two proposals under this solicitation.

Download the full Request for Applications.

FSIL is a five-year collaborative research program implemented by Purdue University (lead institution) and Cornell University. The program is funded by USAID as part of Feed the Future, the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative. Learn more about recently funded food safety projects on the FSIL website.