Adaptive IPM for Invasive Agricultural Pests Program

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), through its Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability and specifically the Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis (OPCA), is now accepting proposals for its 2025-26 Adaptive IPM for Invasive Agricultural Pests grant program. This grant builds upon the former Proactive IPM Solutions initiative and is designed to foster the rapid development and deployment of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies in response to emerging or resurging invasive agricultural pests in California. With a total of $500,000 available for a single award, this competitive opportunity emphasizes adaptability, sustainability, and scientific rigor in pest management planning and research. The primary objective of the grant is to support the creation or refinement of IPM programs that address either new invasive pests identified on CDFA’s target pest list or recently established pests that are expanding their range or developing resistance to current pesticide strategies. This includes enhancing current IPM tactics or introducing additional pest control measures that reduce pesticide reliance while preserving urban and agricultural ecosystem integrity. Projects should focus on long-term pest control solutions and minimize environmental or community disruptions. Preferred methods include biological controls, selective or low-risk chemicals, and cultural practices, particularly those not yet registered in California but potentially viable under state guidelines. Eligible applicants include public and private colleges and universities, state and local government agencies, federal entities, California Native American Tribes, and nonprofit organizations. Applicants must be based in California, although collaborations with out-of-state entities are permitted. If a proposed project involves pests not yet present in the state, applicants must also have access to a quarantine facility and obtain appropriate permits for working with non-exempt species. The application period opened on July 8, 2025, and proposals are due by August 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Applications must be submitted via email in both PDF and Word formats to cdfa.opca@cdfa.ca.gov, with the subject line “Adaptive IPM for Invasive Agricultural Pests.” Questions may be submitted to the same address but will not be accepted within five business days of the application deadline. All responses to applicant questions will be posted publicly on the program’s website. Applicants must follow a comprehensive outline that includes project summaries, justifications, work plans, evaluation methods, detailed budgets, and appendices with biosketches and support letters. Proposals will be reviewed by a multi-disciplinary committee comprising scientists, agency specialists, and representatives from academia and grower groups. The review criteria include proposal quality, project justification, team qualifications, resource sufficiency, feasibility, and fiscal merit. Each category carries a weighted score for a total of 100 possible points. Projects must start on January 1, 2026, and conclude no later than January 31, 2029. Funding must supplement existing efforts and cannot replace current activities. Awarded recipients must complete formal grant agreements and are subject to annual progress reports, final deliverables, and invoicing requirements. This grant represents a significant opportunity for researchers and stakeholders in pest management and agriculture to contribute to California’s resilience against invasive species while advancing science-based solutions that align with environmental and regulatory standards.

Applicants should ensure completeness and follow the outline to avoid disqualification. CDFA cannot assist with preparation.