USDA APHIS American Rescue Plan: SARS-CoV-2 in Animals

Background
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the availability of up to $25,000,000 in cooperative/interagency agreement funding to carry out the animal health provision as described in Section 1001 of the American Rescue Plan Act. The provision aims to address gaps in surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in animals, determine susceptibility of target species to SARS-CoV-2, understand transmission mechanisms in different animals, develop and optimize SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics and surveillance strategies for multiple species, and develop prevention and intervention strategies.

Grant Details
APHIS will make available up to $25,000,000 in funds to support SARS-CoV-2 in Animals projects in 2023. APHIS is seeking proposals for projects that address funding priority topics such as addressing gaps in surveillance and investigation activities for SARS-CoV-2 in animals, expanding knowledge of species susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, developing surveillance tools and strategies for the rapid detection and characterization of new variants of SARS-CoV-2, and identifying effective interventions to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at the human-animal interface and/or impacts on the food supply.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible entities include cooperators within U.S. States and territories, Tribal nations, universities, nongovernmental organizations, and private entities. An eligible applicant may submit multiple proposals for this funding opportunity, requesting up to $5,000,000 per proposal for SARS-CoV-2 in Animals activities.

Period of Performance
The agreement performance period is estimated to begin on or before March 30, 2023, and should end no later than 24 months after the start date.

Grant Value
Up to $25,000,000 will be awarded to support projects that address the funding priorities. APHIS anticipates awarding around fifty cooperative/interagency agreements with each award ranging from $50,000 to $5,000,000.

Place of Performance
The scale and scope of any surveillance efforts are limited to the United States of America.