USDA Offers $90 Million in FY 2027 to Protect America’s Farms and Forests from Invasive Pest Threats

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking action to protect America’s crops and forests from invasive plant pests and diseases. Beginning today, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is accepting project suggestions for Plant Protection Act Section 7721 (PPA 7721) funding in FY 2027. These investments help farmers stay ahead of emerging threats, strengthen early detection and rapid response, and support innovative plant health safeguarding solutions nationwide.

“Safeguarding America’s crops starts with early action and strong partnerships,” said Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “We’re calling on partners across the country to bring forward practical, science‑based ideas that strengthen our rapid response capabilities and protect American agriculture.”

Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program (PPDMDPP)

In FY 2027, USDA will provide $80 million through PPDMDPP to support projects that boost plant health safeguarding by expanding surveillance, improving detection, and helping communities respond quickly to emerging plant pest threats.

State and federal agencies, Tribal nations, colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, and industry can submit project suggestions for PPDMDPP funding from July 27 through September 21, 2026.

Applicants will submit suggestions through ServiceNow and must have an e-Authentication account to access the PPA 7721 application page. APHIS will host virtual training sessions throughout the open period to help users navigate the submission process.

Projects should align with one or more of program’s six strategic goals (568.54 KB):

1. Enhancing plant pest and disease analysis and survey
2. Targeting domestic inspection activities at vulnerable points in the safeguarding continuum
3. Enhancing and strengthening pest identification and technology
4. Safeguarding nursery production
5. Conducting targeted outreach and education
6. Enhancing mitigation and rapid response capabilities

Resources, templates, FAQs, and help session details are available at www.aphis.usda.gov/funding/ppdmdpp.

National Clean Plant Network (NCPN)

USDA will also invest $10 million to support the NCPN program, which provides growers with healthy, disease-free propagative material for high-value specialty crops such as berries, grapes, citrus, fruit trees, hops, sweetpotatoes, and roses.

The FY 2027 open period runs from July 27 through October 19, 2026. Funding is available for land-grant universities, non-land grant colleges of agriculture, state and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations. More details are available at www.aphis.usda.gov/funding/ncpn.