USDA AFRI Rapid Response Funding for Emerging and Re-emerging Pest and Disease Events

Program Overview

Emerging and re-emerging pests and infectious diseases are persistent threats to animal health, plant health, and pollinator health, with direct consequences for the viability of U.S. agricultural production systems.

Disease outbreaks can also disrupt agricultural supply chains across the production, processing, distribution, and consumption stages. These impacts can be especially significant for rural communities that support agricultural production and for populations that rely on a stable and affordable food supply.

The AFRI Rapid Response program supports innovative applied research, extension, and integrated efforts that generate timely knowledge and practical tools to prevent further spread, mitigate impacts, and sustain agricultural and food system performance during pest and disease emergence events.

Program Objectives and Focus Areas

Projects funded under this program area are expected to provide rapid, actionable information related to emerging or re-emerging pests and diseases, including:

• Understanding the origin and drivers of pest or disease emergence
• Characterizing the pest, disease, or strain and how it spreads
• Supporting prevention strategies to limit further transmission
• Developing mitigation approaches to reduce impacts on agricultural systems
• Strengthening community response capacity and operational resilience
• Protecting access to an accessible, safe, nutritious, affordable, and abundant food supply

Strong proposals typically demonstrate stakeholder relevance, credible implementation pathways, and a clear plan to translate findings into usable guidance or tools.

Project Types Supported

AFRI supports multiple project types under this program area, including:

• Applied research projects that address urgent real-world needs
• Extension projects that deliver practical outreach, tools, and response guidance
• Integrated projects combining research, education, and extension activities

Proposals should be designed to produce timely outputs that help affected individuals, farms, organizations, and communities respond effectively.

Cost Sharing Requirements

Applicants must provide matching contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Matching contributions may include cash and allowable in-kind support, consistent with USDA NIFA requirements and documentation standards.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include a broad range of organizations and entities, including:

• State Agricultural Experiment Stations
• Colleges and universities (including junior colleges)
• University research foundations
• Other research institutions and organizations
• Federal agencies
• National laboratories
• Private organizations or corporations
• Individuals who are U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents
• Consortia or partnerships involving two or more eligible entities

Funding Details

Total funding available under this AFRI program area is approximately $300 million. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

• Maximum Individual Award: $300,000
• Grant Types: Standard Grants and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants
• Submission Timing: Continuous submission

For official program requirements, eligibility rules, and application instructions, refer to the USDA NIFA AFRI program page:
USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)

How LEC Partners Supports AFRI Applicants

LEC Partners supports research teams, institutions, and consortia evaluating and preparing AFRI proposals focused on pest and disease emergence, response, and resilience across food and agricultural systems.

• Assessing program fit and alignment with AFRI priorities and stakeholder needs
• Supporting technical feasibility, response logic, and implementation credibility
• Strengthening applied research and extension narratives for practical use
• Advising on cost-share strategy, documentation, and compliance considerations
• Reviewing milestones, work plans, and risk mitigation approaches

Our role is to provide independent, technically grounded insight that helps applicants strengthen proposal clarity and execution readiness.

Questions We Commonly Address

What types of projects are a good fit for this AFRI program area?
Projects that generate rapid, actionable knowledge and tools to prevent spread or mitigate impacts of emerging and re-emerging pests and diseases across food and agricultural systems are well aligned.

Is matching funding required?
Yes. Applicants must provide matching contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis, consistent with USDA NIFA requirements.

Can proposals combine applied research and extension?
Yes. Integrated projects that combine applied research, education, and extension can be a strong fit when outputs are designed for practical adoption.

Further Reading