Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA FD 18 021
The Assuring Radiation Protection (U18) opportunity (RFA-FD-18-021) is a fiscal year 2018 cooperative agreement announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), specifically the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH). The purpose is to strengthen and coordinate national radiation protection efforts by aligning Federal, State, and Tribal actions to better protect the public from radiation risks. This award is explicitly described as a single-source application that FDA intended to accept and consider only from the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc. (CRCPD), reflecting CRCPD's long-standing role as a national coordinating forum for radiation control program leaders. The grant sits under CFDA 93.103 and is supported by FDA authority under Section 532 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360ii) to maintain a comprehensive radiation control program, with general grants authority under Section 301 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241). The funding opportunity was posted March 23, 2018, closed June 4, 2018, anticipated one award, and listed an award ceiling of $400,000.
At its core, the cooperative agreement is meant to keep Federal and State radiation programs working in sync as radiation technologies, medical practices, industrial uses, and security needs evolve. FDA frames this as a continuation of coordination mechanisms in place since 1968, when FDA began facilitating collaboration with agencies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among others. The rationale is practical: radiation protection responsibilities are spread across different jurisdictions and agencies, so a structured forum helps avoid duplicated work, helps states share solutions, and allows limited resources to be used more efficiently. The notice also includes broad public health expectations consistent with Public Health Service policy, such as encouraging smoke-free workplaces and aligning with Healthy People 2010 health promotion objectives, which are standard grant-related policy statements rather than technical requirements of the radiation program itself.
The work described for CRCPD is wide-ranging and organized around a few proven coordination tools. One major mechanism is the use of committees and working groups made up primarily of representatives from State radiation control programs, with Federal participants serving as liaisons or advisors. These groups study specific radiation health and safety problems, draft recommendations, and pass them through a central management board before recommendations are relayed to relevant Federal, State, and Tribal entities. Another centerpiece is the planning and execution of a large annual meeting that typically runs about four days and draws roughly 350 participants. This meeting is intended to share study results, run workshops to define emerging issues, and hold clinics or demonstrations of practical radiological health techniques and systems. Beyond meetings, the agreement emphasizes ongoing education and outreach, including training courses and distribution of materials to help state programs and the public understand radiation exposure issues and effective mitigation strategies.
Programmatically, the cooperative agreement aims to coordinate Federal, State, and Tribal activities so that present and future radiation control problems are addressed with consistent approaches, shared data, and usable guidance. CRCPD is expected to recruit and organize state participation on committees, manage those committees, and facilitate consensus-based solutions across a wide spectrum of radiation topics. The announcement highlights three broad technical areas of interest. First is the application of x-rays in the healing arts, with attention to diagnostic radiology practices such as radiography, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography. Here, the work includes practice guidelines, quality assurance procedures, and evaluating patient exposures. A concrete deliverable embedded in this area is the expectation that the recipient will conduct surveys of a representative sample of medical x-ray facilities performing a specific diagnostic procedure, with the targeted procedures defined ahead of time and rotated over time so that exposure and practice trends can be monitored.
The second area covers medical and non-medical uses of ionizing radiation, and it also extends to non-ionizing radiation applications (the notice distinguishes these categories). The emphasis is on identifying issues and developing coordinated approaches not just for healthcare settings but also for broader uses where radiation may present occupational, consumer, or environmental concerns. The third area focuses on controlling and mitigating radiation exposure from all sources, which is where many cross-jurisdictional challenges show up. Examples named in the notice include responding to radiation accidents or incidents, evaluating whether state radiation control programs are adequate, overseeing radiation laboratory capabilities, and addressing residual radioactivity after decontamination and decommissioning of nuclear facilities. It also points to policy- and implementation-heavy topics, such as whether to delegate authority for Federal standards related to radionuclides regulated as hazardous air pollutants, and implementation of the Indoor Radon Abatement Act. CRCPD is additionally expected to review and comment on matters tied to radiological emergency preparedness and homeland security, reinforcing that the program is not only about routine regulation but also about readiness for high-impact events.
A significant, recurring deliverable under this cooperative agreement is the maintenance and updating of the Suggested State Regulations for the Control of Radiation (SSRCR). These are consensus-based model regulations intended to help states promote greater uniformity in how radiation hazards are managed across the country. The SSRCR scope is broad and includes low-level radioactive waste, radioactive contamination, radioactive materials regulation, radon, and x-rays in the healing arts. The agreement expects CRCPD to provide leadership to refresh prior guidance documents and keep SSRCR current as technologies, best practices, and Federal standards change. Importantly, the notice also expects CRCPD to create and operate a structured process for deciding when updates are needed, how to prioritize them, and when to develop entirely new SSRCR components, rather than relying on ad hoc revisions.
From an operations standpoint, the award anticipates substantial governance and coordination workload. CRCPD is told to plan for oversight and management of roughly 45 committees, and in some cases to provide representatives to certain Federal radiation committees. While voting membership on CRCPD committees is limited to state members, the model explicitly allows non-state and Federal representatives to participate as advisors. Those advisors help ensure recommendations align with Federal policies and regulations and may also serve as investigators, collaborators, or technical resources depending on the topic. The notice also leaves room for "special projects" that can be initiated as needs arise, with potential focus areas including radiation issues in the environment, healthcare, industry, and consumer products.
The annual meeting and related training requirements are described in fairly practical terms. CRCPD must handle the full administrative workload of the meeting, consult stakeholders to set priorities for the agenda, and use general sessions and workshops to surface new problems and share techniques and systems that could be adopted broadly. When a new issue emerges as a shared concern, it can be assigned to a task force or committee of experts for follow-on work. A specific dissemination requirement is that meeting proceedings be posted on the recipient's website for limited distribution to member states and relevant Federal personnel. Training is expected to be held in conjunction with the meeting, and FDA may also request CRCPD to provide instructors for other Federal training courses with radiological content outside the annual meeting cycle.
Finally, the opportunity includes an information access and technology component. CRCPD is expected to maintain a website that supports information sharing for states and other interested parties, with FDA project staff and designated Federal personnel granted full access to all materials relevant to the work supported by FDA and other contributing agencies. The site is expected to be reviewed and updated regularly, and the notice calls out the need for real expertise in website maintenance and security, signaling that information integrity and controlled access are considered part of successful program execution.
In short, this single-award U18 cooperative agreement is less about funding a single research project and more about sustaining the national coordination infrastructure for radiation protection: keeping expert committees operating, updating model state regulations, collecting and sharing practical data (including patient exposure-related surveys for medical x-ray procedures), delivering training, and convening a major annual meeting that helps Federal, State, and Tribal partners respond consistently to both routine and emerging radiation health and safety challenges.Apply for RFA FD 18 021
- The Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration in the agriculture, consumer protection, food and nutrition sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Assuring Radiation Protection (U18)" 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 Mar 23, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 04, 2018. (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 $400,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FAQs: Assuring Radiation Protection (U18) - RFA-FD-18-021
What is the Assuring Radiation Protection (U18) funding opportunity?
Assuring Radiation Protection (U18), RFA-FD-18-021, is a fiscal year 2018 cooperative agreement announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), through the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH). The overall purpose is to strengthen and coordinate national radiation protection efforts by aligning Federal, State, and Tribal actions to better protect the public from radiation risks.
Which federal agency and center are sponsoring this opportunity?
The opportunity is sponsored by the FDA (within HHS), specifically the FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH).
What is the program trying to accomplish in practical terms?
The cooperative agreement is designed to keep radiation protection programs working in sync as radiation technologies, medical practices, industrial uses, and security needs evolve. Because radiation protection responsibilities are split across jurisdictions and agencies, the program emphasizes coordination to reduce duplication, share workable solutions, and use limited resources more efficiently.
Is this a research grant or a coordination and infrastructure award?
Based on the description, it is primarily a coordination and infrastructure award rather than funding a single standalone research project. The work centers on sustaining national coordination mechanisms such as committees and working groups, maintaining model state regulations, conducting targeted surveys related to medical x-ray practices, delivering training, convening an annual meeting, and supporting information-sharing systems.
What is the assistance listing / CFDA number for this award?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA 93.103.
What legal authorities support the grant?
The notice cites FDA authority under Section 532 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360ii) to maintain a comprehensive radiation control program, along with general grants authority under Section 301 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241).
Who was eligible to apply?
The announcement describes the opportunity as a single-source application that FDA intended to accept and consider only from the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc. (CRCPD), reflecting CRCPD's role as a national coordinating forum for radiation control program leaders.
How many awards were anticipated?
The opportunity anticipated one award.
What was the maximum (ceiling) award amount listed?
The award ceiling listed in the notice was $400,000.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted March 23, 2018, and closed June 4, 2018.
Why does FDA emphasize national coordination for radiation protection?
The notice explains that radiation protection duties are distributed across multiple agencies and jurisdictions, so a structured forum helps avoid duplicated work, helps states share solutions, and supports consistent approaches to both routine and emerging radiation risks. FDA frames this as a continuation of coordination mechanisms dating back to 1968, including collaboration with agencies such as the NRC and EPA.
What role do committees and working groups play under this cooperative agreement?
Committees and working groups (made up primarily of representatives from State radiation control programs) study specific radiation health and safety problems, draft recommendations, and route them through a central management board before recommendations are shared with relevant Federal, State, and Tribal entities.
How many committees is the recipient expected to oversee?
The notice indicates the recipient should plan for oversight and management of roughly 45 committees.
Who can participate on the committees, and who can vote?
Voting membership on CRCPD committees is limited to state members. The model allows non-state and Federal representatives to participate as advisors, and those advisors may serve as liaisons, investigators, collaborators, or technical resources depending on the topic.
What is expected regarding the annual meeting?
The recipient is expected to plan and execute a large annual meeting that typically runs about four days and draws roughly 350 participants. The meeting is intended to share study results, run workshops to define emerging issues, and hold clinics or demonstrations of practical radiological health techniques and systems. The recipient is also expected to handle the full administrative workload and consult stakeholders to set agenda priorities.
Are there expectations for publishing or sharing the meeting results?
Yes. The notice includes a dissemination requirement that meeting proceedings be posted on the recipient's website for limited distribution to member states and relevant Federal personnel.
What training and education activities are included?
The agreement emphasizes ongoing education and outreach, including training courses and distribution of materials to help state programs and the public understand radiation exposure issues and mitigation strategies. Training is expected to be held in conjunction with the annual meeting, and FDA may also request the recipient to provide instructors for other Federal training courses with radiological content outside the annual meeting cycle.
What are the main technical topic areas highlighted in the announcement?
The notice highlights three broad areas: (1) application of x-rays in the healing arts (including diagnostic radiology such as radiography, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography), (2) medical and non-medical uses of ionizing radiation as well as non-ionizing radiation applications, and (3) controlling and mitigating radiation exposure from all sources, including preparedness and response considerations.
What does the opportunity say about x-rays in the healing arts?
In the healing-arts area, the work includes developing or supporting practice guidelines, quality assurance procedures, and evaluating patient exposures. A specific deliverable described is conducting surveys of a representative sample of medical x-ray facilities performing a specific diagnostic procedure, with targeted procedures defined ahead of time and rotated over time to monitor exposure and practice trends.
Does the opportunity address non-medical radiation uses?
Yes. The second technical area covers medical and non-medical uses of ionizing radiation and extends to non-ionizing radiation applications. The focus is on identifying issues and developing coordinated approaches for occupational, consumer, and environmental contexts, not only healthcare settings.
What kinds of cross-jurisdiction radiation challenges are included?
The notice provides examples such as responding to radiation accidents or incidents, evaluating adequacy of state radiation control programs, overseeing radiation laboratory capabilities, and addressing residual radioactivity after decontamination and decommissioning of nuclear facilities. It also references policy and implementation topics like delegation of authority for certain Federal standards related to radionuclides regulated as hazardous air pollutants, and implementation of the Indoor Radon Abatement Act.
Does the cooperative agreement involve radiological emergency preparedness and homeland security?
Yes. The notice states the recipient is expected to review and comment on matters tied to radiological emergency preparedness and homeland security, reinforcing that the program includes readiness for high-impact events as well as routine radiation control needs.
What are the Suggested State Regulations for the Control of Radiation (SSRCR)?
SSRCR are consensus-based model regulations intended to help states promote greater uniformity in managing radiation hazards. The SSRCR scope described includes low-level radioactive waste, radioactive contamination, radioactive materials regulation, radon, and x-rays in the healing arts.
What is expected of the recipient regarding SSRCR?
A significant recurring deliverable is maintaining and updating SSRCR as technologies, best practices, and Federal standards change. The notice also expects the recipient to create and operate a structured process to decide when updates are needed, how to prioritize updates, and when to develop new SSRCR components rather than relying on ad hoc revisions.
Are "special projects" allowed under the agreement?
Yes. The notice allows for special projects to be initiated as needs arise, with potential focus areas including radiation issues in the environment, healthcare, industry, and consumer products.
What is expected for the website and information-sharing component?
The recipient is expected to maintain a website that supports information sharing for states and other interested parties. FDA project staff and designated Federal personnel must be granted full access to all materials relevant to the work supported by FDA and other contributing agencies. The website is expected to be reviewed and updated regularly, and the notice calls out the need for expertise in website maintenance and security.
What does "cooperative agreement" imply in this context?
Based on the description, the cooperative agreement structure aligns with active coordination between the recipient and FDA and other partners, including Federal participation as liaisons or advisors on committees and involvement in coordinated training and information-sharing activities.
Are there any public health policy statements included that are not technical requirements?
Yes. The notice includes broad public health expectations consistent with Public Health Service policy (such as encouraging smoke-free workplaces and alignment with Healthy People 2010 objectives). The description characterizes these as standard grant-related policy statements rather than technical requirements of the radiation program itself.
What is the overall takeaway of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is positioned as a single-award cooperative agreement intended to sustain and strengthen national coordination infrastructure for radiation protection: keeping expert committees operating, updating consensus model state regulations (SSRCR), collecting and sharing practical data (including facility surveys tied to specific medical x-ray procedures), delivering training, convening a major annual meeting, and maintaining secure information-sharing tools to support consistent Federal, State, and Tribal responses to radiation health and safety challenges.
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