Coordinating Agricultural Development & Innovation (CADI) Armenia Exchanges: U.S. Food Safety Regulations and Standards Training Program

Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service

Assistance Listing: 10.960 – Technical Agricultural Assistance

The Coordinating Agricultural Development & Innovation (CADI) Armenia Exchanges: U.S. Food Safety Regulations and Standards Training Program supports the design and delivery of a training program on U.S. food safety regulations and standards for nine Armenian mid- to senior-level officials from the public and private sectors. The program aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of U.S. food safety regulations and standards, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement and comply with these regulations effectively, to strengthen bilateral trade with the United States, and to reduce trade barriers for U.S. agricultural commodities and products.

Overview

The training program is envisioned as one to two consecutive weeks in duration. The host institution shall propose the place(s) of performance within the United States. Participants are expected to include two association or local NGO staff, four government officials, one researcher from an agricultural university, and two private sector or agribusiness company representatives. Participants will be recruited and selected by USDA/FAS, which will be completed after the close of this Notice of Funding Opportunity.

The program will provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the U.S. regulatory system and internationally recognized, science-based food safety measures that facilitate international trade and benefit U.S. agricultural exports. Field visits to food processing sites and laboratories are encouraged to highlight how producers learn, implement, and comply with food safety regulations. Additional meetings with U.S. producer cooperatives, associations, and companies are also encouraged to demonstrate how the private sector and government work in partnership.

Program Content and Research Areas

The program design shall include a thorough understanding of U.S. food safety regulations and standards, covering the following areas:

• Understanding U.S. Food Safety Regulations: Standards (Codex, SPS regulations, ISO 17025); traceability requirements; risk-based assessments and risk analysis/management; U.S. regulatory entities and roles (FDA, APHIS, EPA, FSIS); interagency responses to WTO SPS and TBT notifications; regulatory measures on biosafety/biotechnology; Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) implementation; distinction between food safety and food quality; regulations for food labeling.
• Understanding Food Safety Principles and Implementation: HACCP principles, design and implementation; Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs); distribution chain and food safety during transport and storage; qualitative and quantitative risk assessment methods; food processing and systems; food quality and handling; monitoring, evaluation, and dissemination; certification and equivalence of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures; good manufacturing, agricultural, and laboratory practices; industry role and partnerships; inspection processes; consequences of non-compliance; microbiological, chemical analysis and contamination hazards; food safety public health alerts and recalls; response to foodborne illness outbreaks; food safety audits; food preservation and food additive use; new technologies and innovations in food safety.
• Understanding International Food Safety Standards and Trade: Comparison of U.S. food safety standards with international standards and the importance of harmonization; pre-registration and post-registration; maximum residue levels; import/export requirements for food products; nutritional and food safety education.
• Real-World Examples: Case studies of food safety incidents and how they were managed; visits to food production and processing facilities; importance of training employees on food safety practices and regulatory compliance; consumer education on food safety and proper food handling practices.

Funding and Benefits

• Program Funding: $110,000
• Expected Awards: 1
• Award Maximum: $110,000
• Funding Instrument Type: Grant
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No
• Opportunity Category: Discretionary
• Category of Funding Activity: Agriculture

Eligibility

Eligible applicants: Other

Additional information: State cooperative institutions or other colleges and universities in the United States, as defined at 7 U.S.C. § 3103.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing Date: May 14, 2026
• Posted Date: March 16, 2026
• Archive Date: June 13, 2026
• Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-FAS-10960-0700-10-25-0010

Application Process

Complete application packages must be submitted via email to Benjamin.Kairn@usda.gov and Melissa.Yeakley@usda.gov. Applicants may also view the full Notice of Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov for additional details.

Contact Information

Grantor Contact: Benjamin Kairn, International Program Specialist
Phone: 202-720-0430
Email: Benjamin.kairn@usda.gov