The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers funding support for high-quality conferences and scientific meetings through the R13 Scientific Conference Grant Program. This funding opportunity, FOA Number PAR-23-072, seeks to support symposia, seminars, workshops, or formal meetings that align closely with FDA’s mission and address significant public health concerns. Conferences may be conducted either in-person or virtually, and should aim to exchange information, investigate a defined topic, or clarify areas of concern relevant to the FDA’s mission. Approval to submit an application must be obtained in advance, with a required Letter of Intent submitted at least eight weeks before the application due date. Importantly, the FDA will not issue awards for conferences unless the award is finalized before the conference start date.

To be eligible, applicants must submit their requests for funding support from specific FDA Centers, each with varied maximum budget caps: $50,000 for the Office of the Commissioner, Center for Tobacco Products, and Office of Regulatory Affairs; $250,000 for the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research; and $25,000 for the Center for Veterinary Medicine. The Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and Center for Drug Evaluation and Research have no budget caps, but all awards depend on the availability of FDA appropriations and will be provided based on the merit and relevance of applications. Applicants may seek either one-year or multi-year support for recurring conferences; for multi-year requests, proposed project periods can span up to five years with annual reviews.

Eligibility for this funding includes a range of organizations, from higher education institutions and nonprofits to local governments, small businesses, and regional organizations. Foreign entities are not eligible to apply, though U.S. institutions with foreign components may be considered. All applicants must complete registrations in SAM, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons prior to applying, which can take several weeks to complete. Each application must include a detailed Diversity Plan aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in conference planning and participation, emphasizing representation from underrepresented backgrounds. Additionally, applicants must submit a comprehensive Conference Plan that outlines the meeting’s title, objectives, agenda, and logistical details, along with letters of support from key speakers.

Applicants should adhere strictly to application requirements, including page limits and other format instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. The submission must follow FDA-specific review criteria, which differ from NIH guidelines. Key criteria include the conference’s significance, the qualifications of the organizers and speakers, the innovative scope of the conference, the appropriateness of the approach, and the quality of the hosting environment. Scoring is based on these factors, and a positive assessment on the Diversity Plan is also required.

The application process includes two annual deadlines, April 12 and October 11, with reviews taking place approximately two to three months after submission. FDA advises applicants to seek funding well in advance to accommodate review and award processing timelines. Applications deemed non-compliant or incomplete will not be reviewed. Post-submission, the FDA’s Objective Review Committee will evaluate the application’s scientific and technical merit, with priority given to projects that demonstrate relevance to FDA program priorities. Applicants should note that funding decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

This FOA underscores FDA’s commitment to public health and inclusivity, expecting conference organizers to ensure safe, harassment-free environments, and accessible conference facilities. Awardees are required to comply with all HHS and FDA grant policies and guidelines, including limits on certain costs and activities. Allowable costs include consultant fees, equipment rentals, and speaker fees, while prohibited costs include food, equipment purchases, and honoraria.