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Repurposing a Human Drug to Fight the Invasive New World Screwworm 

Year Awarded  2026

FFAR award amount   $70,136

Total award amount   $140,389

Location   South Bend, IN

Program   Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research

Matching Funders   University of Notre Dame

Grantee Institution   University of Notre Dame

The reemergence of New World screwworm is now threatening U.S. livestock production, wildlife and agricultural trade. Reports of reduced effectiveness of some commonly used treatments in South America, combined with the limited number of approved control options, underscore the need to evaluate new approaches. As the Southern U.S. continues to navigate cases of New World screwworm, University of Notre Dame researchers are evaluating whether an existing drug can be repurposed to kill screwworm larvae.  

FFAR Research Explores Novel Approach to Protect Livestock from New World Screwworm 

Six SHIC/FFAR Co-Funded Research Project to Advance Swine Disease Monitoring & Mitigation  

Year Awarded  2026

FFAR award amount   $359,708

Total award amount   $719,415

Location   Manhattan, KS

Grantee Institution   Swine Health Information Center (SHIC)

Emerging swine diseases threaten herd health and the U.S. pork industry, creating an urgent need for faster detection, better monitoring and more effective mitigation strategies. Six new research projects funded by SHIC and FFAR are addressing these challenges by integrating production and disease data, developing strategies to reduce airborne transmission, improving detection of African swine fever and evaluating wastewater as a diagnostic sample. The findings will give pork producers and industry stakeholders actionable tools and information to better prevent, prepare for and respond to emerging disease threats. More details about the research projects are available on the SHIC website.

Maintaining Productive Grazing Lands Across the Great Plains 

Assessment of Animal Hosts’ Vulnerability to New World Screwworm Reemergence in the United States 

Year Awarded  2026

FFAR award amount   $134,780

Total award amount   $269,560

Location   Manhattan, KS

Matching Funders   American Sheep Industry, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas State University, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, North American Deer Farmers Association

Grantee Institution   Kansas State University

Kansas State University researchers are identifying the livestock, wildlife and management practices most vulnerable to infestation. The project will provide producers and animal health officials with evidence-based tools to prioritize surveillance, producer preparedness and improve response efforts in the U.S.

FFAR Research to Strengthen U.S. New World Screwworm Preparedness 

A Story of Perseverance & Community 

Alexis Alsdorf

FFAR Fellow, NC State University

Unraveling Species-Specific Antiviral Mechanisms to Improve Avian Influenza Control 

Year Awarded  2026

FFAR award amount   $150,000

Total award amount   $300,000

Location   Ames, IA

Program   Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research

Matching Funders   Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Iowa State University

Grantee Institution   Iowa State University

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to threaten the U.S. poultry industry, causing billions of dollars in economic losses while disrupting food production and increasing costs for farmers and consumers. Iowa State University researchers are identifying genetic factors in birds that are relevant in the host response against H5N1 and H7N9 avian influenza viruses. This research aims to illuminate pathways to modulate the expression of specific host genes to mitigate the avian influenza burden.

FFAR Rapid Funding Explores Genetic Immunity to Avian Influenza 

Advancing Soil Health to Confront Water Scarcity 

Convening Event Yuma, AZ

Rows of chickpeas in arid environment