[Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service](https://www.aphis.usda.gov)

February 23, 2026 (Full application submission deadline)

Up to $5,000,000 per award (typical); total program funding up to $100,000,000; project period up to 2 years.

Funding to support research and innovation to combat New World screwworm and prevent its spread, through projects in sterile fly production, novel traps, therapeutics, and preparedness tools.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) supports projects aimed at combating the New World screwworm (NWS) and preventing its northward spread. The program seeks to fund both rapid-response projects and long-term innovations that enhance preparedness and response capabilities for NWS and potentially other animal disease threats. Priority areas include enhancing sterile NWS fly production, developing new traps and lures, advancing therapeutics and treatments for animals, and creating additional tools to bolster response strategies. Projects funded under this opportunity may have broad applicability to animal health and biosecurity. --- ## Due Dates - **Full application deadline:** February 23, 2026 (applications must be received by 11:59 PM ET) - Non-Federal applicants: Submit via ezFedGrants - Federal and non-domestic applicants: Submit via email to NWS.Grand.Challenge@usda.gov --- ## Funding Amount - **Award Ceiling:** $5,000,000 per project (higher amounts possible for proposals with exceptional impact) - **Award Floor:** $0 - **Estimated Total Program Funding:** $100,000,000 - **Expected Number of Awards:** Approximately 20 - **Project Duration:** Up to 2 years; extensions possible with written approval from APHIS - **Cost Sharing/Matching:** Not required --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - State, county, and city/township governments - Public and private institutions of higher education (including university research foundations) - Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) - Nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education) - Small businesses and for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) - Federal agencies - State departments of agriculture and emergency agencies - Non-domestic (foreign) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations **Additional requirements:** - Applicants must have an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in SAM.gov. - Proposals must address at least one of the funding priority topics. - All required documents and forms must be complete and submitted by the deadline. --- ## Application Process - **For Non-Federal Applicants:** Submit all materials via [ezFedGrants](https://www.usda.gov/ocfo/ezfedgrants). - **For Federal and Non-Domestic Applicants:** Submit application package by email to [NWS.Grand.Challenge@usda.gov](mailto:NWS.Grand.Challenge@usda.gov). - **Required documents include:** - Work Plan (use [template](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/nws-work-plan-template.docx)) - Financial Plan (use [template](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/nws-financial-plan-template.xlsx)) - SF-424 and SF-424A forms (completed within ezFedGrants) - Lobbying disclosures/certifications if requesting over $100,000 - State Single Point of Contact letter (if applicable) - Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) - **Registration:** Applicants must register with [SAM.gov](https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration) and [ezFedGrants](https://www.usda.gov/ocfo/ezfedgrants). Allow at least 10 business days for new SAM registrations. - **Application guidance:** Review the [Notice of Funding Opportunity](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/nws-grand-challenge-notice-of-funding-opportunity.pdf) and [FAQ](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/funding/new-world-screwworm-grand-challenge-funding-opportunity/faq). --- ## Additional Information - **Funding Priorities:** - Enhance sterile NWS fly production - Develop novel NWS traps and lures - Advance therapeutics/treatments for animals - Develop other preparedness/response tools - **Start Dates:** Projects may start no earlier than May 1, 2026, and no later than June 1, 2026. - **Pre-award costs/activities:** Not authorized. - **Review process:** Applications are screened for completeness and eligibility before review; incomplete packages are not considered. --- ## External Links - [Official Grants.gov Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361182) - [APHIS Screwworm Grand Challenge Program Page](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/funding/new-world-screwworm-grand-challenge-funding-opportunity) - [Notice of Funding Opportunity (PDF)](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/nws-grand-challenge-notice-of-funding-opportunity.pdf) - [Apply via ezFedGrants](https://www.usda.gov/ocfo/ezfedgrants) - [SAM.gov Registration](https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration) - [Work Plan Template (DOCX)](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/nws-work-plan-template.docx) - [Financial Plan Template (XLSX)](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/nws-financial-plan-template.xlsx) - [FAQ](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/funding/new-world-screwworm-grand-challenge-funding-opportunity/faq) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email | Additional Information | |--------------------------|---------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | Donna L Shultz / Program | [NWS.Grand.Challenge@usda.gov](mailto:NWS.Grand.Challenge@usda.gov) | Team mailbox for all inquiries | | APHIS General Contact | [aphis.customersupport@usda.gov](mailto:aphis.customersupport@usda.gov) | [APHIS Contact Page](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/contact) | ---

New World Screwworm Grand Challenge

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