USDA NIFA Launches New Rapid Response Grant Opportunity to Combat Emerging Agricultural Threats

KANSAS CITY, MO., March 16, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announces the launch of a new competitive grant opportunity aimed at rapidly addressing emerging and re-emerging pest and disease threats across the nation's food and agricultural systems.

The grant opportunity, Rapid Response to Emerging and Re-emerging Pest and Disease Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems, is designed to deploy timely, science-based solutions to protect agricultural productivity, ecosystem health, and food security.

"Invasive and emerging pests and diseases can devastate crops, livestock, and ecosystems, disrupt supply chains and threaten food security," said NIFA Director Dr. Jaye Hamby. "This opportunity empowers researchers and Extension professionals to act quickly, delivering practical solutions that safeguard our agricultural communities and the nation's food supply."

This grant opportunity is part of NIFA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) competitive grant program. It is designed to improve plant and animal production, and human and environmental health. AFRI is the nation's leading and largest competitive grant program for agricultural sciences. This funding is available to eligible colleges, universities, and other research organizations.

With a maximum award of $500,000 and a grant duration of 12 to 24 months, the grant opportunity supports grants for research, Extension, or integrated projects. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, within 180 days of a qualifying pest or disease event, ensuring swift mobilization of resources when threats arise.

Applications must directly address the effects associated with the emergence or re-emergence within the last 180 days of pests and/or disease in animal and/or plant production systems or within the food supply, and one or more of the following emphasis areas: One Health, plant and animal health, and ecosystem health.

Funded projects will focus on applied research and Extension and outreach activities that generate actionable knowledge and tools. These may include:

• Rapid understanding of pest/pathogen ecology, epidemiology, and immunology.
• Development and validation of diagnostics, vaccines, and control methods.
• Communication strategies, training opportunities, and best practices for mitigation.
• Technologies and protocols for detection, management, and prevention.

To ensure impact, projects must implement or develop at least one deliverable within six months of award receipt, with all activities completed within the grant period. Proposals are encouraged to integrate biological and social sciences, engage public-private partnerships, and support small- and medium-sized farms and ranches.

"This opportunity reflects USDA's commitment to proactive, science-driven responses to agricultural threats," Hamby said. "By supporting rapid innovation and collaboration, we're helping communities stay resilient in the face of evolving challenges."

The opportunity also welcomes proposals that address ecosystem health, including strategies to mitigate the environmental impacts of pests and diseases affecting plants, animals, and pollinators. Projects that incorporate community development, youth development, and 4-H are also eligible, provided they align with the opportunity's emphasis areas.

Applicants are encouraged to coordinate efforts across institutions and regions, and to contact program staff at [email protected] with questions regarding project fit. While this opportunity is designed for short-term, rapid response efforts, longer-term projects may be better suited for other AFRI opportunity area priorities such as Agricultural Biosecurity, Diseases of Agricultural Animals, or Food Safety and Defense.

For more information, visit nifa.usda.gov or email [email protected].

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