Deadline: 31-Mar-2026
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced a funding opportunity to strengthen training on pesticide regulatory procedures under the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA). The program, administered by the Office of Pesticide Programs within the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, offers up to $200,000 over two years to support specialized regulatory training and capacity building. Eligible applicants include land-grant and agricultural colleges, with applications due by March 31, 2026.
Overview
The funding opportunity supports the development and delivery of specialized education and training programs focused on regulatory procedures under the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA).
The initiative aims to enhance:
• Regulatory efficiency
• Scientific and administrative competency
• Consistent pesticide decision-making
• Reduced registration backlogs
The program is structured as a cooperative agreement with EPA.
Application deadline: March 31, 2026
Archive date: April 30, 2026
Total estimated funding: $200,000
Project duration: Two years
Funding Structure
Total Available Funding
• Estimated total program funding: $200,000
• Anticipated awards: Up to one award
Annual Breakdown
• Up to $100,000 in Year 1
• Up to $100,000 in Year 2
Funding is subject to:
• Agency funding availability
• Application quality
• Program priorities
Program Objectives
The program is designed to strengthen understanding and implementation of PRIA regulatory responsibilities.
Key objectives include:
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Developing training on PRIA regulatory procedures
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Improving scientific, technical, and administrative skills
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Aligning competencies with EPA’s mission
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Promoting operational best practices
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Increasing administrative efficiency
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Supporting consistent regulatory decision-making
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Educating registrants and regulated stakeholders
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Identifying agricultural field opportunities for EPA crop tours
What Is PRIA?
The Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) establishes timelines and service fees for pesticide registration and registration review activities.
PRIA supports:
• Timely regulatory decisions
• Structured review processes
• Transparency for pesticide registrants
• Efficient resource allocation
This funding opportunity focuses specifically on improving training and institutional capacity around PRIA implementation.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants are limited to:
• Land-grant colleges and universities
• Non-land-grant colleges of agriculture
• 1994 Institutions (as defined under federal statutes)
Other organizations are not eligible under this opportunity.
Administering Office
The cooperative agreement is managed by EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), which operates under the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.
OPP is responsible for:
• Regulating pesticide products
• Establishing maximum pesticide residue limits in food
• Protecting the national food supply
• Ensuring compliance with pesticide laws
Required Activities and Deliverables
The selected awardee will update existing materials and develop new training resources aligned with PRIA 5 provisions.
Required Outputs
• Written materials
• Manuals and handbooks
• Video presentations
• Online training modules
• Virtual and in-person workshops
• Webinars
• Hands-on training sessions
• Field and laboratory tours
Additional Responsibilities
• Technical and logistical support for training delivery
• Conducting gap analyses to identify agricultural focus areas
• Supporting EPA crop tours and site visits
• Tracking performance metrics and reporting outcomes
Why This Opportunity Matters
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Reduces Regulatory Backlogs
Improved training helps streamline pesticide registration and review processes. -
Enhances Regulatory Consistency
Clear guidance supports uniform decision-making across cases. -
Strengthens Stakeholder Education
Registrants and regulated entities gain better understanding of compliance expectations. -
Supports Food Safety and Public Health
Improved pesticide regulation protects the national food supply.
How to Apply – Step-by-Step
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure your institution qualifies as:
• A land-grant college or university
• A non-land-grant college of agriculture
• A 1994 Institution
Step 2: Develop a Comprehensive Training Plan
Your proposal should clearly define:
• Training objectives
• Target audiences
• Curriculum structure
• Delivery format (online, hybrid, in-person)
• Evaluation metrics
• Alignment with PRIA 5 provisions
Step 3: Include a Performance Measurement Framework
Detail:
• Progress tracking systems
• Reporting structure
• Evaluation benchmarks
• Expected regulatory impact
Step 4: Submit Application Before Deadline
• Submit before March 31, 2026
• Ensure all required documentation is complete
• Align proposal with EPA mission priorities
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Failing to Align with PRIA 5
Training materials must directly support PRIA regulatory processes. -
Weak Performance Measurement Plan
Clear evaluation and reporting mechanisms are required. -
Incomplete Training Framework
Proposals must include both content development and delivery plans. -
Ignoring Stakeholder Engagement
Training should include registrants and regulated entities. -
Missing the Deadline
Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much funding is available?
Up to $200,000 total over two years, with up to $100,000 per year.
2. How many awards will be made?
Up to one award is anticipated.
3. Who can apply?
Land-grant colleges, non-land-grant colleges of agriculture, and 1994 Institutions.
4. What is the project duration?
Two years.
5. What types of activities are supported?
Development and delivery of PRIA-focused regulatory training, workshops, webinars, field tours, and educational materials.
6. What is the deadline?
March 31, 2026.
7. What is the goal of the program?
To improve efficiency, clarity, and consistency in pesticide registration and review processes.
Conclusion
The EPA PRIA Training Funding Opportunity supports institutional capacity building in pesticide regulatory education. With up to $200,000 available over two years, the program seeks to enhance PRIA implementation, reduce regulatory backlogs, and improve stakeholder understanding.
Eligible agricultural and land-grant institutions should develop a structured, measurable training proposal aligned with PRIA 5 and submit their application before March 31, 2026.
For more information, visit Grants.Gov.
