Adaptive IPM for Invasive Agricultural Pests Program

The Adaptive IPM for Invasive Agricultural Pests program is administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture through its Office of Pesticide Consultation and Analysis. This program builds on earlier statewide efforts to proactively address invasive agricultural pests and reflects California’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding its diverse agricultural economy. With over 400 commodities produced in the state, the agricultural sector faces constant threats from invasive species that can disrupt ecosystems, increase pesticide use, and reduce profitability. The program is designed to strengthen integrated pest management approaches that are sustainable, effective, and adaptable to evolving pest challenges. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the development and refinement of integrated pest management programs or components that can be rapidly deployed when invasive pests emerge or reemerge in California. The program supports three major research pathways: developing IPM strategies for potential future invasive pests, improving management systems for newly established pests that are expanding their range or host species, and optimizing existing strategies for pests that have developed resistance to pesticides. The overarching goal is to reduce reliance on broad spectrum pesticides and promote long term, environmentally responsible pest control solutions. Funding for this program is limited to a single award of up to 500000 dollars for the current grant cycle, supported by a state General Fund appropriation. The grant term is expected to begin on January 1, 2027 and conclude no later than January 31, 2030. Funds must be used to supplement existing activities rather than replace them. Allowable costs include personnel, equipment rental, travel, consultant services, and data processing, while unallowable costs include entertainment, alcohol, and fundraising activities. Indirect costs are permitted within defined limits, with entities without negotiated rates capped at 10 percent of modified total direct costs. Eligible applicants include public and private colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, and local, state, and federal government entities, including California Native American Tribes. All project leads and institutions must be based in California, though collaboration with out of state partners is permitted. Projects involving pests not yet established in California require access to quarantine facilities, and all necessary permits must be secured prior to project implementation. Applicants must demonstrate strong alignment with program objectives, including clear justification for target pest selection and a detailed research plan. Applications must be submitted through the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s online portal. Applicants are required to review the Request for Proposals and Applicant Guide prior to submission and prepare a complete proposal including project description, workplan, budget justification, and team qualifications. Questions may be submitted via email prior to the deadline, and responses are shared publicly to ensure transparency. Applications that are incomplete, submitted late, or fail to meet eligibility or program requirements may be disqualified. The application period for this cycle opens on July 6, 2026 and closes on August 31, 2026, with no late submissions accepted. Proposal decisions are expected by September 28, 2026, and awards will be announced on October 1, 2026. Selected applicants must finalize a grant agreement before initiating any project activities. Awardees are required to submit annual progress reports, quarterly invoices, and a final report summarizing project outcomes. The program does not explicitly state recurring cycles, though prior annual solicitations suggest a potential pattern. Proposals are evaluated by a multidisciplinary committee including scientists, government representatives, and stakeholders. Evaluation criteria include proposal quality, project justification, team qualifications, feasibility and impact, and fiscal merit. Projects are scored based on a 100 point system, emphasizing scientific rigor, relevance to California agriculture, and the potential to reduce pesticide use while improving pest management outcomes. This structured evaluation ensures that funded projects deliver measurable benefits to the state’s agricultural resilience and sustainability.

Align proposal strongly with IPM objectives justify pest selection clearly and demonstrate feasibility with measurable outcomes