Promoting the Holistic Approach on Nutrition Policy | USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 19 0001

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 19 0001

The grant opportunity titled Promoting the Holistic Approach on Nutrition Policy (Funding Opportunity Number USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 19 0001) is a discretionary, multi-year cooperative agreement offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), Office of Agreements and Scientific Affairs. Its core purpose is to fund the design, planning, and delivery of nutrition-focused workshops and seminars aimed at foreign regulatory officials and policy-makers. These events are intended to take place alongside major international meetings and in strategically important trade countries or regions, depending on available funding. The overall theme is helping governments address diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including obesity, by encouraging nutrition policies grounded in science and evidence rather than relying primarily on approaches that may be trade-restrictive.

A central emphasis of the program is expanding the set of policy tools that regulators consider when trying to improve public health outcomes. The USDA is specifically looking for seminars that broaden the conversation beyond prescriptive or restrictive regulatory measures that have been increasingly adopted in many countries. Instead, the program promotes a more holistic policy toolkit that includes voluntary initiatives, consumer education, behavior change strategies, and, where regulations are considered, the use of strong good regulatory practices. In practical terms, applicants are expected to create sessions that help foreign officials evaluate multiple options for improving dietary patterns while still meeting public health goals, and to do so in a way that is transparent, evidence-driven, and mindful of wider impacts.

The workshops and seminars are expected to bring together three kinds of voices: academic researchers, U.S. government subject matter experts, and private sector representatives. The learning outcomes for participating foreign officials are clearly defined. By the end of the programming, participants should (1) better understand the respective roles and tradeoffs of voluntary approaches versus regulatory approaches in promoting healthy eating and reducing diet-related NCDs, (2) learn from research findings, best practices, and lessons drawn from existing U.S. nutrition programs and policies, and (3) leave with one to two concrete alternative strategies they could pursue instead of, or in addition to, their current approach. When regulatory approaches are discussed, the agenda must also highlight good regulatory practice, reinforcing the idea that well-designed processes matter as much as the policy choice itself.

The academic or research-oriented portion of the agenda is expected to focus on how to evaluate whether nutrition policies actually change behavior and improve diets. That includes discussing methods for measuring effectiveness and for comparing the cost-benefit profile of regulatory interventions versus voluntary initiatives. Applicants are encouraged to feature researchers who can explain how to design evaluations, what metrics and study designs are credible, and how to interpret results in a way that is useful for policy decisions. This research segment can also include practical examples of behavior change models and measurement frameworks, including lessons from U.S. nutrition education and behavior change efforts such as SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education), EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program), and the WIC Works Resource System, particularly in terms of how outcomes are tracked and how program impact is assessed.

Another major component is the U.S. government sessions, which should present U.S. program experience and research related to nutrition, behavior change, and food security. These sessions are meant to show how the United States blends regulatory and non-regulatory approaches rather than treating them as mutually exclusive. A highlighted topic is the U.S. Dietary Guidelines process, including how the guidelines reflect the current body of nutrition science and how they are used as the foundation for many U.S. nutrition programs and policies. The opportunity notes that USDA FAS may help identify appropriate federal speakers, potentially drawing from USDA agencies such as the Food and Nutrition Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, as well as from the Department of Health and Human Services (including the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The private sector or industry segment is designed to show how companies can contribute to healthier diets through voluntary commitments and constructive engagement with regulators. Examples mentioned include initiatives to reduce portion sizes and to limit food advertising in schools or to young children. Industry dietitians may be included to discuss research or internal findings on whether voluntary actions are affecting consumer choices and dietary outcomes. In addition, industry representatives with experience providing feedback during regulatory consultations can offer perspective on stakeholder engagement and the practical value of involving multiple parties in the development of rules, again reinforcing the program theme of good regulatory practice. USDA FAS indicates it can assist applicants in making connections to relevant industry leads, including dietitians involved in voluntary efforts.

From an eligibility and funding standpoint, the program is open to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education as well as private institutions of higher education. The opportunity anticipated a single award with an award ceiling of $435,500. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial involvement by the funding agency during implementation (for example, coordination on speakers, locations, or agenda priorities). The opportunity was posted June 25, 2019, with an original closing date of July 25, 2019, and it is classified under the Food and Nutrition activity area (CFDA 10.960).

• The Department of Agriculture, Office of Agreements and Scientific Affairs in the food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Promoting the Holistic Approach on Nutrition Policy" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.960.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 25, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 25, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $435,500.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0200 10 19 0001

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