Plant Protection Act Section 7721 National Clean Plant Network Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) division, is administering funding for the Plant Protection Act Section 7721 (PPA 7721) National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) program for fiscal year 2026. The program was authorized under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 and is part of APHIS’s broader Plant Protection Act funding authority. Its primary goal is to support clean plant centers that provide pathogen-tested, disease-free propagative material to nurseries, growers, and certification programs. By ensuring the availability of clean planting stock, this program helps safeguard U.S. agriculture from harmful plant pathogens, maintain environmental protection, and strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop producers in global markets. The program has a national scope, offering at least $8 million in competitive funding for fiscal year 2026 to support eligible projects aligned with the NCPN Strategic Plan. The funding priorities for this cycle include optimizing the production, maintenance, and distribution of clean plants; advancing special initiatives through the adoption of new technologies and increased awareness of clean plant materials; and improving efficiency across the network’s operations. Funding is primarily provided through cooperative agreements, with substantial USDA involvement expected. Federal interagency agreements may also be used where appropriate. Each cooperative agreement is intended to last up to twelve months, with potential extensions if justified and consistent with federal regulations. Eligible applicants include land grant universities, non-land grant colleges of agriculture, state agricultural experiment stations, state and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations. All applicants must demonstrate alignment with at least one of the strategic goals of the NCPN Strategic Plan. Additionally, commodities proposed for funding must qualify as “specialty crops” as defined in the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004, as amended by the Agricultural Act of 2014. Proposal packages must include a detailed work plan, financial plan, and documentation of the pre-proposal review process, unless the project is a cross-network initiative. Proposals that fail to meet eligibility or documentation requirements, or are submitted after the deadline, will not be reviewed. Applications must be submitted electronically by email to ncpn@usda.gov no later than September 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The anticipated award announcement will be made in February 2026 through the release of the USDA APHIS Spending Plan, and applicants will be notified of funding decisions by email. The performance period for cooperative agreements will begin between May 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026, while interagency projects may begin earlier, between March 1, 2026, and June 1, 2026, but must also conclude by September 30, 2026. Proposals will be evaluated based on alignment with NCPN’s strategic goals, the degree of stakeholder participation, harmonization among governing crop groups, and overall project merit. APHIS, in consultation with the NCPN Governing Board, will conduct the review process, with the USDA maintaining final funding authority. Awardees will be expected to submit semiannual progress and financial reports via the ezFedGrants system, comply with federal regulations under 2 CFR Part 200, and adhere to APHIS’s General Terms and Conditions. Projects will also be evaluated for adherence to objectives, schedules, budgets, and expected outcomes. Applicants are advised that cost-sharing is not required for this program, though voluntary cost contributions may be included. If accepted, such commitments become legally binding and subject to reporting and audit. Unallowable costs are detailed in the PPA 7721 Use of Funds guidance and the federal cost principles in 2 CFR Subpart E. All applications and associated forms are available through the USDA APHIS NCPN website, ezFedGrants, and Grants.gov, under assistance listing number 10.025. For program-related questions or assistance, applicants should contact ncpn@usda.gov.

Proposals should clearly demonstrate alignment with NCPN Strategic Plan goals, include evidence of stakeholder participation, and coordinate with crop-specific governing bodies where applicable.