Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 16 378
The FDA Scientific Conference Grant Program (R13) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity designed to provide financial assistance for small, high-quality scientific conferences and meetings that directly align with the Food and Drug Administration's public health mission. The program is meant to support events that help professionals share evidence, exchange technical information, and explore clearly defined topics that affect public health in areas the FDA regulates or oversees. In practical terms, the grant is aimed at strengthening the scientific dialogue around issues tied to consumer protection, education, food and nutrition, and health, so that meeting outcomes can inform better research, policy, and practice consistent with FDA priorities.
Under this program, a "small conference or scientific meeting" is broadly defined and can include a symposium, seminar, workshop, or other formal gathering focused on a specific subject area of concern. Importantly, the FDA recognizes both in-person and virtual formats as eligible, as long as the meeting is organized for a structured exchange of information and is relevant to the FDA mission. The emphasis is on the quality and mission fit of the event, not on hosting large conventions. The program supports the idea that targeted meetings can be especially useful for advancing emerging science, clarifying regulatory science needs, and identifying gaps or opportunities where collaboration could improve public health outcomes.
The opportunity is identified by Funding Opportunity Number PAR 16 378 and is funded through the Food and Drug Administration under CFDA 93.103. The funding instrument type is a grant. While the listing reflects an original closing date of June 26, 2019, the core purpose and structure described are what define the program: applicants seek support specifically to plan and hold an FDA-relevant scientific meeting, with the understanding that submission permission or application acceptance does not guarantee an award or the full amount requested. Another key administrative constraint is timing: FDA will not issue a conference grant award unless the award can be made before the conference start date. That means applicants have to plan far enough ahead to allow for review, award processing, and all required federal steps prior to the meeting.
Eligibility is intentionally broad, reflecting the range of organizations that may convene credible scientific discussions relevant to FDA's mission. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, and township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education where specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. This wide eligibility allows academic groups, professional associations, government entities, nonprofits, and certain private sector organizers to propose focused meetings, provided the proposed agenda and outcomes are aligned with FDA public health goals.
Overall, the R13 program functions as a way for the FDA to encourage well-scoped, mission-driven scientific gatherings that can elevate the quality of discussion on important regulatory and public health topics. It is not automatic funding for any conference, and it is not intended for events that are only loosely connected to FDA priorities. Instead, it supports small meetings where the subject matter, participants, and structure are designed to produce meaningful scientific exchange and public health value within the FDA's sphere of work.Apply for PAR 16 378
- The Food and Drug Administration in the consumer protection, education, food and nutrition, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FDA Scientific Conference Grant Program (R13)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.103.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-07-27.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-06-26. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.
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FDA Scientific Conference Grant Program (R13) (PAR 16 378) - FAQs
What is the FDA Scientific Conference Grant Program (R13)?
The FDA Scientific Conference Grant Program (R13) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity that provides financial assistance to support small, high-quality scientific conferences and meetings that directly align with the Food and Drug Administration's public health mission.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The program is intended to support events where professionals can share evidence, exchange technical information, and explore clearly defined topics that affect public health in areas the FDA regulates or oversees, so that meeting outcomes can inform better research, policy, and practice consistent with FDA priorities.
What kinds of events are considered eligible under this program?
A "small conference or scientific meeting" can include a symposium, seminar, workshop, or other formal gathering focused on a specific subject area of concern, as long as it is organized for a structured exchange of information and is relevant to the FDA mission.
Does the program support virtual or in-person meetings?
Yes. Both in-person and virtual formats are recognized as eligible, as long as the meeting is designed for a structured exchange of information and aligns with the FDA mission.
Is this grant intended to fund large conventions?
No. The emphasis is on the quality and mission fit of a targeted, small meeting rather than hosting large conventions.
What topic areas does the FDA expect these meetings to address?
The meeting topic should affect public health within areas the FDA regulates or oversees. The description highlights issues tied to consumer protection, education, food and nutrition, and health, and emphasizes FDA-relevant scientific dialogue that supports better research, policy, and practice.
Why does the FDA support small, targeted scientific meetings?
The program supports the idea that targeted meetings can be especially useful for advancing emerging science, clarifying regulatory science needs, and identifying gaps or opportunities where collaboration could improve public health outcomes.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is PAR 16 378.
Which agency funds this opportunity?
This opportunity is funded through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is listed under CFDA 93.103.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
Is this grant automatically awarded to conferences that apply?
No. The program is discretionary and is not automatic funding for any conference. Events must be well-scoped and mission-driven, and being permitted to submit or having an application accepted does not guarantee an award.
Does an award guarantee the full amount requested?
No. The description notes that permission to submit or application acceptance does not guarantee an award or the full amount requested.
What timing constraint should applicants plan for?
FDA will not issue a conference grant award unless the award can be made before the conference start date. Applicants need to plan far enough ahead to allow time for review, award processing, and required federal steps prior to the meeting.
Can funding be awarded after the meeting has already started?
No. The FDA will not issue a conference grant award unless the award can be made before the conference start date.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes: state, county, city, and township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education where specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses.
Are colleges and universities eligible?
Yes. Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are included as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status are included as eligible applicants (excluding institutions of higher education where specified).
Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
Are tribal governments or tribal organizations eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other tribal organizations are listed as eligible applicants.
Are government entities eligible to apply?
Yes. Multiple government entity types are eligible, including state, county, city, township, special district governments, and independent school districts.
What types of meetings are most aligned with the program's intent?
Meetings that are tightly focused on a specific FDA-relevant subject area, designed for structured scientific exchange, and intended to produce meaningful dialogue and public health value within the FDA's sphere of work.
Does the program fund conferences that are only loosely connected to FDA priorities?
No. The program is not intended for events that are only loosely connected to FDA priorities. It supports small meetings with strong subject-matter alignment, appropriate participants, and a structure designed to produce meaningful scientific exchange.
What is the practical outcome the FDA is looking for from supported meetings?
The program aims to strengthen scientific dialogue around FDA-relevant public health issues so that meeting outcomes can inform better research, policy, and practice consistent with FDA priorities.
What does "small conference or scientific meeting" mean in this program?
It is broadly defined and can include a symposium, seminar, workshop, or other formal gathering focused on a specific subject area, with an emphasis on structured exchange and mission relevance rather than event size.
What is the listed closing date for this opportunity?
The listing reflects an original closing date of June 26, 2019.
Does the closing date change the program's core intent as described?
The description indicates that the core purpose and structure described are what define the program: applicants seek support to plan and hold an FDA-relevant scientific meeting, and administrative constraints (like award timing) still apply.
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