Deadline: 15-Sep-2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced a new funding opportunity under Section 7721 of the Plant Protection Act to strengthen the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN).
This program is designed to ensure that growers, nurseries, and state certification programs have access to clean, pathogen-free plant material that supports the sustainability and competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops.
The NCPN, established through the 2008 Farm Bill, plays a vital role in safeguarding agriculture by creating and maintaining a system of Clean Plant Centers across the country. These centers provide diagnostic services, eliminate pathogens from propagative plant material, and maintain foundation blocks of pathogen-tested nuclear stock. By doing so, they supply nurseries and growers with reliable plant material that helps prevent the spread of plant diseases while protecting the environment.
For this funding round, APHIS is making at least $8 million available, with individual awards ranging from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $3.5 million. The funding period is for one year, with the option of a one-year extension if justified under federal regulations. These awards will support projects that align with the NCPN’s strategic priorities.
Funding priorities include optimizing the production, maintenance, and distribution of clean plants, advancing special initiatives through the adaptation of new technologies and raising awareness about the availability of clean plant materials, and improving the efficiency of network resources. Proposals are expected to directly support these goals while addressing current and emerging needs in plant health.
Eligible applicants include land grant universities, non-land grant colleges of agriculture, state agricultural experiment stations, state and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations. These entities are encouraged to submit proposals that strengthen the network’s capacity to deliver pathogen-tested plant material and ensure the resilience of U.S. specialty crops.
Through this program, APHIS reaffirms its commitment to protecting the agricultural sector from plant pests and diseases while promoting sustainable practices that secure the long-term health and competitiveness of American specialty crops.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
