Following U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent announcement of emergency funding to protect the domestic poultry industry from avian influenza, the USDA has unveiled an innovation grand challenge to support projects that will explore vaccines, therapeutics, research and other strategies to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry.
The effort is managed by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), with investments of up to to $100 million.
USDA will prioritize proposals that address one or more of the following:
- Development of novel therapeutics and improved diagnostics to address HPAI in poultry.
- Research to further understand risk pathways of avian influenza for producers and to inform improved biosecurity and response strategies.
- Development of novel vaccines to protect poultry from HPAI while promoting biosecurity.
USDA will test the efficacy of therapeutic interventions to prevent bird flu and treat infected flocks. USDA, in consultation with HHS, will also explore prevention strategies to promote biosecurity in agriculture and in humans, to ensure limited impact on American farmers.
Proposers’ Webinar
USDA is offering a webinar on April 1, 2025 to assist interested applicants in learning more about the funding opportunity and how to submit a proposal. Advanced registration is required.
While USDA is exploring the viability of vaccinating poultry for HPAI; the use of any vaccine has not been authorized at this time. Before making a determination, USDA, in consultation with HHS, CDC, NIH, and FDA will solicit feedback from governors, State departments of agriculture, veterinarians, farmers, the public health system, and the American public.
USDA seeks vaccine candidates that are:
- Well matched to circulating clades
- Compatible with the ability to differentiate vaccinated from infected animals (DIVA)
- Compatible with serologic testing schema
- Providing sterilizing or long-duration immunity
- Requiring hands-off delivery for protection in chickens and turkeys
- Safe, potent, effective
APHIS anticipates that most agreements awarded will not exceed $2,000,000. Proposals exceeding $2,000,000 will be considered. Work covered under these agreements will start no sooner than August 1, 2025, and end no later than 3 years after the start date, but flexibility may be allowed to accommodate specific project needs.
HPAI Poultry Innovation Grand Challenge Fiscal Year 2025 Cooperative/Interagency Agreements. Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-APHIS-10025-VSSP0000-25-0015. Publication Date: March 20, 2025. Application Due Date: May 19, 2025