Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service grants

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announce this funding opportunity to carry out the Plant Protection Act Section 7721 (PPA 7721) National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) program. APHIS will consider project proposals that clearly and directly support the strategic goals and objectives of the National Clean Plant Network as described in the NCPN Strategic Plan . The purpose of the NCPN program is to establish a network of Clean Plant Centers for diagnostic and pathogen elimination services to produce clean propagative plant material and to maintain blocks of pathogen-tested plant material in sites located throughout the United States. The NCPN provides propagative plant material free of targeted plant pathogens to protect the environment and ensure the global competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop producers. Program priorities align with the goals specified in the NCPN Strategic Plan and include: 1) Optimizing the production, maintenance, and distribution of clean plants, 2) Advancing special initiatives by optimizing the adaptation and implementation of novel technologies and new ideas while increasing the awareness of the importance, availability, and use of clean plants, and 3) Optimizing network resources. Applicants should refer to the NCPN Request for Proposals on the USDA APHIS NCPN website for additional details. APHIS is providing at least $10 million in funding for the Plant Protection Act (PPA) National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) program under Section 420 of the PPA (7 USC § 7721). The purpose of the NCPN program is to establish a network of Clean Plant Centers for diagnostic and pathogen elimination services to produce clean propagative plant material and to maintain blocks of pathogen-tested plant material in sites located throughout the United States. Additional details about the program are available on the USDA APHIS NCPN website. Program Goals: The National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) was established under The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) Title X, Sec 10202. Its purpose is to support a network of clean plant centers in the United States for specialty crops to provide reliable sources of propagative material that are free of targeted propagative-borne pathogens. Network clean plant centers conduct diagnostic and pathogen elimination services and establish foundation blocks (nuclear stock) to provide pathogen-tested plant materials to nurseries, growers, and to state certification programs.  Expected Outcomes: Projects funded under this announcement are expected to support programs that provide propagative plant material free of targeted plant pathogens to protect the environment and ensure the global competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop producers. Funding Priorities: APHIS will consider project proposals that clearly and directly support the strategic goals and objectives of the National Clean Plant Network. Program priorities align with the goals specified in the NCPN Strategic Plan and include: 1) Optimizing the production, maintenance, and distribution of clean plants, 2) Advancing special initiatives by optimizing the adaptation and implementation of novel technologies and new ideas while increasing the awareness of the importance, availability, and use of clean plants, and 3) Optimizing network resources. Projects that support one of the current crop groups in NCPN and show coordination with the appropriate NCPN specialty crop governing body are prioritized for funding. Existing Federal or State facilities with demonstrated capacity to provide clean plant material are also prioritized for funding. Applicants can find all application materials on the ezFedGrants website or the Grants.gov website by searching Assistance Listing number 10.031 . Application materials and additional i nformation are also available on the USDA APHIS NCPN website . All application materials are compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for accessibility.

This funding opportunity is provided to carry out the provisions described in Section 7721 of the Plant Protection Act . Through the PPA 7721 program, APHIS provides funds to support projects that protect specialty crops, nursery systems, forestry, other agricultural production systems, and natural resources from harmful and invasive plant pests and pathogens. Additional details about the program are available on the PPDMDPP website. APHIS will make available up to $90,000,000 in funds to support PPA 7721 projects in Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 2027), with at least $73 million anticipated to be available for PPA 7721 PPDMDPP. APHIS will consider suggestions that clearly and directly support the objectives and strategies within the six PPDMDPP goal areas . Suggesters should refer to the FY 2027 PPA 7721 Implementation Plan , for details about the strategies and objectives for each goal area. Program Objectives: PPDMDPP funds projects focused on critical needs and opportunities to prevent against, detect, and mitigate invasive plant pests and diseases. PPDMDPP projects are organized around six goal areas: Plant Pest and Disease Survey and Analysis Domestic Inspection Pest Identification and Diagnostic Technology Protecting Nursery Production Public Outreach and Education Pest Mitigation and Rapid Response Expected Outcomes: Projects funded under this announcement are expected to support activities that will protect U.S. specialty crops, nursery systems, forestry, and other agricultural production and natural resources from harmful and exotic plant pests and pathogens by improving early plant pest detection, threat identification, and mitigation capabilities. Funding Priorities: PPA 7721’s PPDMDPP funds projects focused on critical needs and opportunities to prevent against, detect, and mitigate invasive plant pests and diseases organized around six goal areas. These six goal areas represent the Program’s funding priorities and include: enhancing plant pest and disease survey and analysis; targeting domestic inspection; enhancing and strengthening pest identification and technology; safeguarding nursery production; conducting targeted outreach and education; and enhancing mitigation and rapid response capabilities (see FY 2027 Implementation Plan ). Suggesters must complete a single PPA 7721 ServiceNow Suggestion Submission form per suggestion that provides details on all aspects of the project. The PPA 7721 ServiceNow Suggestion Submission form is available through the PPA 7721 ServiceNow Suggestion Submission portal. Suggesters must include a completed Budget, Survey, or Diagnostic Laboratory template, and Narrative Report (if applicable) as an uploaded document with the form. Refer to the PPA 7721 ServiceNow Suggestion Submission Guidance for more information about submitting suggestions to the PPA 7721 ServiceNow Suggestion Submission portal.