Pierce's Disease & Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Board Research & Outreach Grants
Funds research and outreach to develop practical solutions for major pests and diseases threatening California’s winegrape industry, with a focus on field-ready, science-based results.
Funder: California Department of Food and Agriculture
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2027
Funding Amounts: Prior awards range from $4,300 to $383,000 per year; projects last 1–3 years.
Summary: Supports research and outreach projects to protect California vineyards from major pests and diseases affecting the winegrape industry.
Key Information: Open to non-profit-affiliated researchers with winegrape pest/disease expertise; multidisciplinary and extension-focused projects encouraged.
Description
The Pierce's Disease and Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Board (PD/GWSS Board) Research and Outreach Program funds research and outreach projects addressing serious pests and diseases threatening California’s winegrape industry. The program is supported by a special assessment from the winegrape industry and seeks innovative, practical, and sustainable solutions that can be directly applied in the field. Projects may address Pierce’s disease and its vectors (especially the glassy-winged sharpshooter), brown marmorated stink bug, grapevine fanleaf disease, grapevine leafroll disease, grapevine red blotch disease, mealybug pests, and the spotted lanternfly. Multidisciplinary teams and extension activities are encouraged, with a strong emphasis on projects that can deliver real-world benefits to growers.
