WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing funding for 40 breakthrough projects to bolster the nation’s defenses against New World screwworm (NWS). These innovative proposals, which will receive a combined total of about $105 million, promise to sharpen detection, accelerate control and eradication tools, and strengthen rapid-response capabilities.
USDA launched the NWS Grand Challenge on January 21, 2026, marking the next milestone for Secretary Rollins’ five-pronged plan to support producers’ success, protect the nation’s food supply, and build long-term resilience against NWS. The Grand Challenge called on innovators from federal and non-federal entities to help in the efforts to prevent the spread of NWS by developing high-impact projects to enhance detection, control, and eradication readiness.
“We launched the Grand Challenge expecting bold, innovative, and science-backed ideas to fight New World screwworm, and the proposals delivered just that,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “These projects represent the creativity, scientific rigor, and determination we need to reinforce our existing efforts, empower our producers, and safeguard American agriculture and our food supply. We have beaten this pest before, and by leveraging innovative solutions and advancements in technology we will beat it again in record time.”