UPCOMING — NEHA-FDA Retail Flexible Funding Model 2027–28 applicant competition; open December 9, 2026 through January 27, 2027 (7:59 p.m. ET).
National — NEHA-FDA RFFM 2027–2028 Track 3 One-Year Mentee and Training Optional Add-On Grants (January 27)
UPCOMING: Track 3 One-Year Mentee and Training Optional Add-On Grants for qualifying FDA Retail Program Standards state/local/tribal/territorial agencies. Current Track 3 grantees in good standing may apply for the $10,000 fixed Mentee add-on and/or up to $7,500 reimbursable Training add-on in a one-year competition. New Track 3 Base grants are NOT offered in 2027–28. Apply December 9, 2026 through January 27, 2027 at 7:59 p.m. Eastern.
FundingCurrent Track 3 grantees in good standing may apply for the $10,000 fixed Mentee add-on and/or up to $7,500 reimbursable Training add-on in a one-year competition. New Track 3 Base grants are NOT offered in 2027–28.
DeadlineUPCOMING — NEHA 2027–28 portal opens December 9, 2026; the controlling application deadline is January 27, 2027 at 7:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
Last verified2026-11-07
Required next actionCurrent 2025–2028 Track 3 awardees should review NEHA's 2027–28 RFFM guidance, verify current award in good standing, choose a Mentee and/or Training optional component, budget reimbursable training accurately, and apply through the grant portal by January 27, 2027 at 7:59 p.m. ET.
Broad Eligibility
Only state, local, tribal or territorial retail food regulatory jurisdictions holding an existing 2025–2028 RFFM Track 3 award in good standing; this is not a new base Track 3 funding application. The add-ons require eligible mentorship and/or retail-food-safety training proposals and compliant base grant performance.
Atlas Analysis
Authoritative 29-page NEHA-FDA RFFM 2027-28 Application Guidance (updated October 2026), reviewed November 7 2026, pages 5–16, 23–28. The Mentee option is $10,000 fixed for completing approved mentorship goals, site visit and end-of-year Mentorship meeting. The Training option is up to $7,500 for eligible retail food safety courses, workshops or conferences, and is budget-controlled reimbursement rather than unrestricted cash. Each requested option must be approved and funded. Applicant must be a current Track 3 grantee in good standing and complete its approved base grant requirements. No simultaneous Mentor and Mentee roles during the same grant year. No universal matching percentage published. General exclusions include construction, vehicle procurement, food/catering, exam fees and unsupported unrelated expenditures. Performance period April 1, 2027–March 31, 2028. Specific type: Track 3 One-Year Optional Add-On; grant-year 2027-28. Official PDF: https://www.neha.org/PDFs/RFFM_ApplicationGuidance_2027-28_October2026.pdf. Real competitive applicant financial assistance, not procurement.
NEHA–FDA RFFM 2027–2028 — Track 3 One-Year Optional Add-On
The 2027–28 Track 3 One-Year Optional Add-On application permits existing three-year RFFM Track 3 grant recipients to request new, additional support for mentorship as a Mentee or approved retail-food-safety training during the next one-year performance period. It does not solicit new Track 3 Base grant applications. This is legitimate applicant-facing financial assistance for eligible government food regulatory agencies, not procurement.
Individual Applicant Funding
Current Track 3 grantees in good standing may apply for the $10,000 fixed Mentee add-on and/or up to $7,500 reimbursable Training add-on in a one-year competition. New Track 3 Base grants are NOT offered in 2027–28.
Eligibility and Requirements
Only state, local, tribal or territorial retail food regulatory jurisdictions holding an existing 2025–2028 RFFM Track 3 award in good standing; this is not a new base Track 3 funding application. The add-ons require eligible mentorship and/or retail-food-safety training proposals and compliant base grant performance.
Application Dates
UPCOMING: Portal opens December 9, 2026; the deadline is January 27, 2027 at 7:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Current 2025–2028 Track 3 awardees should review NEHA’s 2027–28 RFFM guidance, verify current award in good standing, choose a Mentee and/or Training optional component, budget reimbursable training accurately, and apply through the grant portal by January 27, 2027 at 7:59 p.m. ET.
Program Details
The Mentee option is $10,000 fixed for completing approved mentorship goals, site visit and end-of-year Mentorship meeting. The Training option is up to $7,500 for eligible retail food safety courses, workshops or conferences, and is budget-controlled reimbursement rather than unrestricted cash. Each requested option must be approved and funded.
Restrictions and Payment
Applicant must be a current Track 3 grantee in good standing and complete its approved base grant requirements. No simultaneous Mentor and Mentee roles during the same grant year. No universal matching percentage published. General exclusions include construction, vehicle procurement, food/catering, exam fees and unsupported unrelated expenditures. Performance period April 1, 2027–March 31, 2028.
Controlling official documentation: NEHA–FDA RFFM Program; 2027–28 Application Guidance, updated October 2026. Last verified November 7, 2026. This is a distinct funding type in the five-grant 2027–28 application round.
Source verificationReferenced source · www.neha.orgAtlas last verified this record 2026-11-07. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗
