FDA Announces Request for Applications for Evaluation of Salmonella in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Pets - a Vet-LRN Program Coo

July 15, 2011

The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), today announced the publication of a funding opportunity for cooperative agreements to further enhance the Center’s ability to evaluate potential risks of Salmonella-contaminated feeds on human and animal health by testing diagnostic samples from pets.

CVM is seeking applications that will provide information on the prevalence of Salmonella in fecal samples from both symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs and cats brought to veterinary clinics in order to gain further insight into the frequency of Salmonella infected animals following feed contamination.

The awarded cooperative agreements will be with CVM’s Veterinary Laboratory Response Network (Vet-LRN). Vet-LRN is a CVM program that coordinates facilities, equipment, and professional expertise of government and veterinary diagnostic laboratories across the country and Canada in response to investigations involving animal food or drug related illnesses.

Eligibility requirements to apply for a Vet-LRN cooperative agreement include: demonstrating an adequate veterinary case load at the institution, technical expertise and ability to conduct the appropriate volume of cultures. Applicants will also be evaluated as to their accreditation status and geographical location to provide program balance and a diverse patient population. The deadline for submission of applications is August 15, 2011.

Cooperative agreements will be available for up to $60,000 in total (direct plus indirect) costs for 1 year, with the possibility of a second year of funding. After the initial year of funding, future funding opportunities are planned but will be dependent upon the availability of funds.

The Funding Opportunity Announcement RFA-FD-11-010 is available at  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-FD-11-010.html  and applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov ( http://apply07.grants.gov/apply/GetGrantFromFedgrants?opportunity=RFA-FD-11-010 ).