New World Screwworm Grand Challenge

The New World Screwworm (NWS) Grand Challenge is a funding initiative managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). This opportunity is grounded in the agency’s mandate under the Animal Health Protection Act to mitigate threats to animal health and agricultural productivity. APHIS, a key player in safeguarding U.S. livestock from invasive pests and diseases, announced this Grand Challenge in response to the growing concern of the northward spread of NWS, a parasitic fly capable of causing severe harm to animals. With up to $100 million allocated, APHIS aims to identify and support novel, high-impact projects that can meaningfully enhance detection, control, and eradication efforts for this invasive species. This funding opportunity supports research, development, and operational improvements aligned with four primary program goals: boosting the efficiency of sterile NWS fly production; improving early detection through better traps and lures; expanding treatment and prevention options; and enhancing operational preparedness through innovative response tools. These strategic objectives are designed to directly contribute to a robust and scalable biosecurity infrastructure that protects U.S. animal populations and agricultural systems. Projects funded may span innovations in biotechnology, vector control, veterinary pharmacology, ecological modeling, and surveillance technologies, all aimed at mitigating NWS’s threat. Eligible applicants include a wide array of domestic and international entities such as universities, research foundations, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, state and federal agencies, veterinary and producer organizations, and foreign entities. The competition allows for multiple submissions from a single applicant, but each application must address only one funding priority topic. Applications must be submitted electronically by non-federal applicants via the ezFedGrants system, and by email for federal applicants, no later than February 23, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Application packages must include a work plan, financial plan, standard federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A), lobbying disclosures where applicable, and other required documents. Proposals will be assessed through a formal review panel of subject matter experts, based on criteria such as relevance to priority topics (35%), feasibility (25%), qualifications (20%), and cost-effectiveness (20%). Projects must have clearly defined, measurable outcomes and be feasible within a two-year performance period. Award amounts are expected not to exceed $5 million, although APHIS retains flexibility to fund proposals above this amount if warranted by project scope or innovation. Successful applicants will be notified by email shortly after public announcements and will be required to finalize their awards via ezFedGrants. Projects may start as early as May 1, 2026, and no later than June 1, 2026, with performance periods capped at two years. Ongoing monitoring, quarterly reporting, and outcome tracking are required. APHIS will work closely with awardees to provide technical assistance, performance oversight, and support as needed. Although this opportunity is not explicitly described as recurring, its alignment with a long-term national response strategy may lead to future cycles. Overall, the NWS Grand Challenge represents a major federal investment in proactive animal health protection. Through this initiative, APHIS seeks not only to mitigate a pressing threat but also to lay the groundwork for improved technologies and systems that can be applied across future animal disease emergencies.

Proposals must align with a funding priority, clearly articulate deliverables, demonstrate feasibility and technical capacity, and justify budget.