Key Takeaways
- USDA has launched the New World Screwworm Grand Challenge to prevent the pest’s spread into the United States.
- Up to $100 million in funding will be made available through USDA-APHIS.
- The initiative focuses on innovation, preparedness, and response tools.
- Priority areas include sterile fly production, traps, treatments, and surveillance tools.
- The program is positioned as part of a broader strategy to safeguard livestock, trade, and food security.
USDA Introduces New World Screwworm Grand Challenge
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has announced the launch of the New World Screwworm (NWS) Grand Challenge, a new funding initiative aimed at strengthening efforts to combat the pest and prevent its northward spread into the United States.
The New World Screwworm is a serious threat to livestock and animal health, with the potential to disrupt agricultural production, trade, and food supply chains. The Grand Challenge represents a central component of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s broader strategy to protect domestic agriculture and maintain long-term biosecurity.
“This is a strategic investment in America’s farmers and ranchers and is an important action to ensure the safety and future success of our food supply, which is essential to our national security,” said Secretary Rollins.
Up to $100 Million in Funding Through USDA-APHIS
As part of the New World Screwworm Grand Challenge, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will make up to $100 million available to support innovative projects focused on prevention, preparedness, and response.
The funding is designed to accelerate the development and deployment of tools that reduce the risk of NWS establishment and spread, particularly in regions such as Mexico and Central America where control efforts are critical to protecting U.S. borders.
Secretary Rollins emphasized that while proven tools exist to combat the pest, continued innovation is essential. “We know we have tried-and-true tools and methods to defeat this pest, but we must constantly look for new and better methods and innovate our way to success,” she said.
Priority Areas for the New World Screwworm Grand Challenge
Focus Areas for Project Proposals
USDA-APHIS is inviting proposals that address one or more of the following priority objectives:
- Enhancing sterile New World Screwworm fly production
- Developing novel traps and lures for improved detection and control
- Advancing therapeutics and treatments to prevent or control NWS in animals
- Creating additional tools to strengthen preparedness and rapid response
The agency stated that these focus areas are intended to support science-based solutions that protect animal health, agricultural productivity, and international trade.
USDA Application Process and Next Steps
Details on eligibility, application requirements, and submission timelines are available through the New World Screwworm Grand Challenge webpage. Additional information can also be accessed via the ezFedGrants platform or Grants.gov under the funding opportunity number USDA-APHIS-10025-OA000000-26-0001.
USDA noted that the initiative underscores its commitment to collaboration, science, and innovation to protect U.S. agriculture and ensure long-term food system resilience.
USDA at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
| Established | May 15, 1862 |
| Founded By | President Abraham Lincoln |
| First Commissioner | Isaac Newton |
| Cabinet Status | Elevated to cabinet-level agency in 1889 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Primary Mission | Agriculture oversight, food safety, nutrition programs, rural development, and conservation |
| Core Responsibilities | Farming and forestry policy, food inspection, nutrition assistance, rural economic development |
| Key Legislative Foundations | Morrill Act (1862), Hatch Act (1887), Smith-Lever Act (1914) |
| Major Programs | SNAP, WIC, National School Lunch Program, Rural Development, Farm Loans, Conservation Programs |
| Food Safety Role | Inspection of meat, poultry, and certain egg products through FSIS |
| Support for Farmers | Grants, loans, insurance, research, and extension services for small and mid-sized farms |
| Rural Development Focus | Housing, utilities, broadband, and economic development funding |
| Conservation & Climate | Soil conservation, water management, wildlife protection, climate-smart agriculture |
| 2023 Farmer Relief | Over $1.7 billion distributed in emergency financial support |
| 2023 Broadband Investment | More than $1.8 billion invested; 250,000+ rural residents connected |
| Nutrition Access Initiatives | Expanded school meal participation and food access for underserved populations |
| Key Historical Controversy | Pigford v. Glickman settlement addressing discrimination against Black farmers |
| Ongoing Criticism | Food aid delays, disease response challenges, labor safety oversight, program discontinuations |
| Current Status | Active federal agency overseeing U.S. agriculture and food systems |
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