SHIC, FFAR and Pork Checkoff Issue Second H5N1 Swine Risk RFP

The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), in partnership with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the Pork Checkoff, is issuing a second request for proposals (RFP) for research addressing the H5N1 risk to swine.

H5N1 influenza, also known as bird flu, was prioritized in 2024 as an emerging disease threat for the U.S. pork industry due to the growing number of diverse mammalian species susceptible to infection. In response, FFAR, SHIC and Pork Checkoff funded the $4 million H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Program to enhance prevention, preparedness, mitigation and response capabilities for H5N1 influenza in the U.S. swine herd.

The first round of proposal solicitation, selection and funding, announced in July 2025, is complete. The partners are now inviting a second round of proposal submissions from qualified researchers for projects that address:

1. surveillance
2. introduction risks
3. caretakers
4. biosecurity
5. pork safety
6. production impact
7. business continuity

Projects that demonstrate the most urgent and timely completion, provide the greatest value to pork producers and show efficient use of funds will be prioritized for funding. Proposals to expand work funded under the first RFP that aligns with the research priorities of this solicitation will also be considered.

Total funding available for this RFP is $1.8 million. Individual awards are capped at $250,000, but proposals may exceed the cap if sufficient justification is provided. Matching funds are encouraged but not required. The $250,000 cap applies only to those funds requested from the H5N1 Risk to Swine Research Program. Projects should be completed within a 12- to 18-month period, with sufficient justification required for extended project duration. Proposals must be submitted by 5 p.m. CDT on March 24, 2026. The proposal template and instructions for completion and submission can be found at www.swinehealth.org. For questions, please contact Dr. Megan Niederwerder at mniederwerder@swinehealth.org or (785) 452-8270 or Dr. Lisa Becton at lbecton@swinehealth.org or (515) 724-9491.

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Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing big food and agriculture challenges. FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research agenda. FFAR’s model matches federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment. Through collaboration and partnerships, FFAR advances actionable science benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment.

Connect: @FoundationFAR 

Swine Health Information Center

The Swine Health Information Center, launched in 2015 with Pork Checkoff funding, protects and enhances the health of the US swine herd by minimizing the impact of emerging disease threats through preparedness, coordinated communications, global disease monitoring, analysis of swine health data, and targeted research investments. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research. Forward, reprint, and quote SHIC material freely. For more information, visit http://www.swinehealth.org or contact Dr. Megan Niederwerder at mniederwerder@swinehealth.org or Dr. Lisa Becton at lbecton@swinehealth.org.