The Michigan Food Safety Education Fund Grant Program provides competitive funding to governmental and nonprofit organizations delivering food safety training and education across Michigan. The program targets two core audiences: consumers seeking to improve food handling and safety knowledge, and food service establishment employees and government enforcement staff responsible for upholding the Michigan Food Law.
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About the Michigan Food Safety Education Fund Grant
Administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), the Food Safety Education Fund was established under Section 4117 of the Michigan Food Law of 2000 and is funded through license assessments of between $3 and $5 collected from each food establishment operating in the state. MDARD is currently accepting proposals for the 2026/2027 grant cycle, covering projects running from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Funding Size
- Total funding available: up to $356,600 for the current cycle
- Consumer food safety education allocation: $242,500
- Food service employee and enforcement agent education allocation: $114,100
- No formal cap on individual grant awards; historically, awards have ranged between $5,000 and $75,000
Who Can Apply
- Michigan governmental organizations and agencies
- Michigan nonprofit organizations
- Producers, manufacturing processors, marketers, and growers are explicitly not eligible for this program
Geographic Eligibility
- Michigan only
- Projects must serve Michigan consumers, food service employees, or state and local government enforcement agents operating under the Michigan Food Law
Read Also: The Small Grants Program (SGP) 2026 – Apply Now
Sector or Thematic Focus
- Consumer food safety training and education
- Food service establishment employee training
- Education for state and local government agents who enforce the Michigan Food Law
- Food handling, preparation, and safety best practices
- Foodborne illness prevention and public health protection
Application Process
Applications must be submitted electronically by emailing the completed proposal to MDARD-FSEF@michigan.gov. All application materials must be sent in a single email; applications submitted across multiple emails will not be eligible for consideration. Electronic submissions will be confirmed by email receipt within five business days. Applicants who do not receive a confirmation should follow up directly with the program contact. Hard copy submissions are accepted but must be postmarked well in advance of the deadline to allow adequate delivery time.
Required Materials
- Completed FSEF grant application form
- Project description of 200 words or fewer for public dissemination
- Focused project narrative detailing specific goals and outcomes for the project period
- Budget aligned to planned activities and grant request
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 16 June 2026, by 5:00 p.m. ET
- Joint evaluation committee review: summer 2026
- Grant awards announced: September 2026
- Project period: 1 October 2026 through 30 September 2027
Read Also: Community and Environment Fund and Business and Local Economy Fund
Selection Notes
- Proposals are scored and selected based on published grant criteria outlined in the Request for Proposals available on MDARD’s website
- Priority consideration is given to projects with clear, measurable food safety education outcomes