[fhb] USWBSI FY26 RFP Published, Submissions Being Accepted until Jan 7, 2026

[USWBSI's general mailing list]

Dear FHB Community,

The U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI) has officially received
USDA approval to open the  <https://scabusa.org/research_rfp-fy26/> FY26
Request for Pre-Proposals (RFP) and the corresponding
<https://scabusa.org/submissions/> USWBSI Pre-Proposal Submission System.
Given the upcoming National FHB Forum and holidays, the revised pre-proposal
submission deadline is now Wednesday, January 7.

 

This RFP marks the start of a new funding cycle and new opportunities to
support innovative research focused on combating Fusarium Head Blight (FHB)
of wheat and barley. The following categories are available:

*        <https://scabusa.org/research_rfp-fy26/Cat1> Category 1 -
Commodity-based and Variety Development/Host Resistance (VDHR)-Uniform
Nursery Coordinated Projects

*        <https://scabusa.org/research_rfp-fy26/Cat2> Category 2 - FHB
Integrated Management Coordinated Projects

*        <https://scabusa.org/research_rfp-fy26/Cat3> Category 3 - Research
Area Individual Projects in FHB Management, Food Safety & Toxicology, Gene
Discovery and Engineering Resistance, and Pathogen Biology and Genetics

*        <https://scabusa.org/research_rfp-fy26/Cat4> Category 4 - Special
Projects focused on FHB Outreach

 

Key Deadline

*       Pre-Proposal Submission Deadline: January 7, 2026 (All Categories)

 

New to FHB Research?

We value fresh perspectives and innovative approaches and strongly encourage
new investigators (eligibility is limited to Land Grant University and
USDA-ARS scientists) to participate. We invite you to explore the categories
and if you have a novel project concept that aligns with USWBSI's goals make
sure to submit your idea for consideration. Collaborative research
opportunities and community support have been key components to the success
of the USWBSI.

 

RFP Highlights

*       New Funding Cycle: FY26 starts a new funding cycle for USWBSI
projects. All PIs, including those currently funded, will need to complete
all the requirements outlined in the RFP for consideration. 

*       New Projects Focused on FHB Outreach. The USWBSI is seeking FHB
outreach focused projects that bridge the gap between research and
production practices to mitigate FHB, particularly those directed to farmers
who have limited experience with FHB. Category 4 of the RFP outlines the
requirements for this project category.

*       FY26 Project Terms. Both 4-year and 2-year project pre-proposals
will be accepted. Note that USWBSI funding is contingent upon an annual
appropriation to USDA-ARS in the federal budget.

*       LOIs Eliminated: Given delays in the release of the FY26 RFP, Letter
of Intent (LOI) submissions and approval are no longer required. All
categories are accepting pre-proposals.

*       IDC Limitation. As a reminder, the USWBSI adheres to an IDC
limitation (10% of Total Federal Funds Awarded), see details in the Budget
section of the RFP.

*       SBIR Fee Change. The SBIR calculation was removed from the budget
template for PIs. The SBIR fee will continue to be assessed on all awards
but will be handled by the USWBSI NFO after budgets are submitted.

*       New CV/CPS Co-PI Uploads. Co-PIs can upload their CV/Current &
Pending Support (CPS) forms for Lead PIs to link to the project pre-proposal
submission. Lead PIs should notify your co-PIs to login and have them upload
these materials through the main  <https://scabusa.org/submissions>
Submission Portal page.

 

Ready to Submit

Follow the detailed steps provided for each Category in the
<https://scabusa.org/rfp/FY26/FY26_USWBSI_RFP.pdf> USWBSI FY26 RFP.
Eligibility requirements specify that funding of research grants can only be
made to eligible principal investigators at
<https://nifa.usda.gov/land-grant-colleges-and-universities-partner-website-
directory> land-grant colleges and universities in the U.S. or to USDA-ARS
scientists. The proposed research should align with the goals and priorities
of the  <https://scabusa.org/pdfs/uswbsi_action-plan_web.pdf> USWBSI's
Action Plan and its mission: To enhance food safety and supply by reducing
the impact of Fusarium Head Blight (scab) on wheat and barley.

 

Questions

If you have any questions regarding the application materials or the
pre-proposal process, please contact the U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab
Initiative's Networking & Facilitation Office by phone at 517.290.5023 or
send an e-mail to  <mailto:nfo at scabusa.org> nfo at scabusa.org. Note: A variety
of commonly asked questions is available in the
<https://scabusa.org/research_rfp-fy26/FAQ> Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
section of the website.

 

Thank you for your continued commitment to advancing FHB research. Please
share this announcement with colleagues who may be interested.

 

Regards,

Ruth Dill-Macky and Richard Magnusson

Co-Chairs of the U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative

We apologize if you receive multiple copies of this message as it is being
distributed to several mailing lists.  

 

______

 

U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI)

Networking & Facilitation Office (NFO)

495 Borlaug Hall | 1991 Upper Buford Circle | St. Paul, MN 55108


 <mailto:nfo at scabusa.org> nfo at scabusa.org | 517.290.5023 |
<https://scabusa.org/> https://scabusa.org

Twitter  <https://twitter.com/USWBSI> @USWBSI | Linkedin
<http://www.linkedin.com/company/uswbsi> #uswbsi  

 

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