Poultry Innovation Grand Challenge
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has led to the culling of millions of birds, raised egg prices, and threatens the U.S. food supply, poultry producers, and agricultural economy worldwide. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a bold new initiative to combat HPAI, offering up to $100 million in funding for high-impact solutions. Administered by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), this competitive funding opportunity is part of USDA’s larger $1 billion investment to curb HPAI, protect the U.S. poultry industry, and lower egg prices.
Areas of Interest
The USDA is investing in innovative vaccines, therapeutics, and research to not only protect animal health, but also support food security, lower consumer costs, and strengthen national preparedness for future animal disease emergencies. Interested Offerors are encouraged to submit proposals that align with one or more of the following priority areas:
- Topic 1: Develop novel vaccines that are safe, potent, and effective across multiple avian species and against currently circulating HPAI clades.
- Topic 2: Create novel therapeutics to prevent, control, or eliminate HPAI in poultry, identifying genomic targets for disease resistance and supporting overall poultry health.
- Topic 3: Advance research to deepen understanding of avian influenza in poultry and improve outbreak response strategies.
Applicants with multiple ideas are encouraged to submit multiple proposals. Selected projects will receive up to $2 million each, with the potential for higher awards based on scope. Awards are expected to begin no earlier than August 1, 2025, and run for a period of up to three years.
Key Dates
- Applications must be submitted no later than May 19, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT
- Proposal review is expected to occur from May to July, 2025
- Successful proposals will be announced in July 2025
- Awarded projects will begin in August 2025.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit a detailed Work Plan, Financial Plan, and required federal forms (e.g., SF-424 and SF-424A) as part of the application package. In addition, Applicants must have an active SAM and ezFedGrants account prior to submission. Applications must align with USDA’s priority topics and be submitted via ezFedGrants for non-federal applicants, or by email for federal agencies. The USDA encourages early registration to avoid delays and recommends using its provided templates to ensure complete and compliant applications. All proposals will be evaluated based on relevance, innovation, feasibility, qualifications, and cost-effectiveness. The USDA emphasized that strong proposals must clearly articulate their alignment with funding priorities and demonstrate potential for a measurable, meaningful impact on poultry health and public outcomes.
If your company has considered applying for Federal funding, your federal funding journey starts here.