Japanese Encephalitis Virus is a disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes that infects pigs, horses and humans. In swine, this virus causes reproductive failure, delayed farrowing, stillbirths, mummified fetuses and weak piglets. While this virus has not been detected in the United States, it is recently spreading, increasing the potential it could reach the U.S. To address this threat, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) are funding a $1 million Japanese Encephalitis Virus Research Program to enhance U.S. prevention, preparedness and response capabilities.
The program is soliciting proposals through April 15, 2024, to advance research on a range of priorities. SHIC and FFAR anticipate awarding several grants, each capped at $250,000, though proposals may exceed the cap if applicants provide sufficient justification. Matching funds are encouraged but not required. The
SHIC website includes more information about application procedures, research priorities and the proposal template.
Research priorities include transmission and epidemiology, mosquito control, diagnostics, communication, surveillance, compatible cases, challenge models, vaccines, cross-protection, competent vectors, the role of wildlife, novel hosts and viral sequencing.