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SACRAMENTO, June 3, 2026 - The California Department of Food and Agriculture's Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis (OPCA) is now accepting concept proposals for its Biologically Integrated Farming Systems Grant Program (BIFS). The BIFS grant program funds on-farm demonstration and evaluation of innovative, biologically based farming systems that employ sustainable pest management (SPM) strategies. These practices aim to reduce reliance on biologically disruptive pesticides while allowing growers to maintain yields and economic sustainability.
Through collaboration among growers, pest control advisors, commodity groups, researchers, and other relevant stakeholders, BIFS projects help accelerate the development and adoption of practical, science-based pest management solutions for California agriculture. Outreach and education are core components of all funded projects, ensuring findings can be shared broadly across the agricultural community.
Past BIFS projects have refined and promoted SPM practices such as areawide mating disruption, biological control via natural enemy releases and habitat planting, non-fumigant soil disinfestation, removing diseased plants, bio-pesticides, and more across diverse cropping systems.
The 2026-2027 Request for Proposals (RFP) identifies five priority funding areas based on recent or proposed regulatory actions and grower needs:
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Areawide management
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Monitoring that informs pest management
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Post-harvest disease control
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Neonicotinoid alternatives in tomato
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Paraquat alternatives
OPCA does not require BIFS project proposals to address one of the priority topics.
This funding cycle includes $2 million in available grant funding, with up to $1 million per project. A portion of OPCA's allocation of the pesticide mill assessment funds this solicitation.
Following review of concept proposals, OPCA will notify applicants in late July 2026 and invite selected applicants to develop and submit a full proposal. Full proposals are due at the end of August 2026.
Concept proposals are due by 5 PM PST, June 30, 2026. Public or private colleges and universities, local, State, and federal government entities including tribal governments, non-profit organizations, and commodity groups are eligible to apply. The project lead(s) and their institutions must be based in California.
Detailed information, including the application process and requirements, is available at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oars/opca/bifs.html.
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