Crop Protection and Pest Management

The Crop Protection and Pest Management program is administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This program is authorized under federal agricultural research legislation and is designed to support integrated, multifunctional agricultural research, extension, and education initiatives. The program emphasizes addressing critical pest management challenges affecting U.S. agriculture, including insects, weeds, pathogens, and other threats, through coordinated and science-based integrated pest management approaches. It prioritizes projects that improve agricultural productivity, profitability, and long-term sustainability while also enhancing national food security. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to advance the development, adoption, and implementation of innovative pest management strategies at the state, regional, and national levels. Projects funded under this program must align with integrated pest management principles and address stakeholder-identified needs. These efforts are expected to generate practical solutions that can be implemented by farmers, ranchers, and agricultural professionals. Priority is given to research and extension efforts that tackle invasive species, emerging pest challenges, and the integration of multiple management tactics into cohesive systems. Funding is divided between two major program areas: the Applied Research and Development Program and the Regional Coordination Program. The Applied Research and Development Program supports both research-only and integrated research-extension projects, typically lasting between two and three years. The Regional Coordination Program supports the operation of regional IPM centers and coordination efforts across geographic regions, with longer project durations. Allowable uses of funds include research activities, extension outreach, coordination efforts, and stakeholder engagement. Indirect costs are capped at 30 percent of total federal funds awarded, and awardees must adhere to federal cost principles and administrative requirements. A significant requirement of this program is cost sharing, as applicants must provide matching contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis unless a waiver is granted under specific conditions. Matching funds must come from non-federal sources and must be justified in the application. The program also imposes restrictions on the types of organizations eligible to apply, limiting applicants primarily to higher education institutions and certain federally recognized educational entities. However, partnerships and subawards with other organizations are permitted when necessary for project execution. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov, and applicants must follow detailed formatting and submission guidelines outlined in the program documentation. Required components include a project summary, a detailed project narrative, a logic model, a data management plan, and potentially a mentoring plan if training activities are involved. Applications are subject to strict page limits and formatting rules, and failure to comply may result in disqualification. The review process includes both administrative screening and a rigorous peer review based on technical merit, project relevance, and the qualifications of the project team. Evaluation criteria differ slightly between program areas but generally focus on scientific merit, stakeholder relevance, feasibility, and the potential for measurable impact. Review panels include experts from academia, government, and industry, ensuring a balanced assessment of proposals. Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate strong stakeholder engagement, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a clear pathway to adoption and impact. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is July 6, 2026, with submissions due by 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Awards are anticipated to be made before the end of the federal fiscal year, and funded projects must begin promptly thereafter. The program is offered on a recurring annual basis, and applicants may submit new or resubmitted proposals. For questions, applicants may contact program staff via email, and administrative support is available through both NIFA and Grants.gov help systems. Additional details and full application guidance are available in the official notice of funding opportunity document.

Align proposal with stakeholder-identified IPM needs; emphasize multi-state impact; demonstrate integration of research and extension; clearly define measurable outcomes and adoption pathways