2026 Food Safety Request for Proposals
Forecasted
2026 Food Safety Request for Proposals supports researchers studying pathogens, sanitation, and emerging contaminants in meat and poultry systems to address food safety risks and improve public health.
Funder: Meat Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2027 (Proposal submission)
Summary: Supports research addressing critical food safety risks, pathogen control, and emerging contaminants in meat and poultry systems.
Key Information: Each proposal must select one research priority, with any additional relevant priorities identified in the project description.
Description
The Meat Foundation supports research addressing urgent food safety needs in meat and poultry systems. Its research priorities reflect industry needs in environmental contamination, sanitation, pathogen detection and control, and emerging food safety risks. The Foundation is a nonprofit research, education, and scholarship organization whose mission includes advancing scientific understanding and supporting continuous improvement in the meat industry.
The request for proposals covers work across processing environments and supply chains, including Salmonella in beef and pork, STEC in beef grinding, reduced-water sanitation, and contamination associated with biofilms. Emerging priorities include microplastics, clean-label reformulation in ready-to-eat products, and improved attribution of human illness to specific products. Innovative, cross-cutting proposals should demonstrate strong translational potential and measurable industry or public health impact.
