Methyl Bromide Transition Program | USDA NIFA ICGP 006409

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 006409

The Methyl Bromide Transition Program (MBT) is a competitive grant opportunity from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) intended to help U.S. agriculture move away from methyl bromide, a pesticide that historically played a major role in controlling soilborne and postharvest pests and diseases. Because methyl bromide has been scheduled for phase-out, many growers and industries that relied on it face practical and financial challenges in maintaining pest control, yield, and product quality. This program is designed to respond to those immediate needs by supporting research and outreach that speed up the development, validation, and real-world adoption of effective alternatives.

The core emphasis of MBT is integrated, commercial-scale work rather than small, isolated trials. Funded projects are expected to evaluate and demonstrate methyl bromide alternatives in ways that reflect actual production and postharvest conditions, and to pair that research with extension activities that help growers and other end users implement the new approaches. The program is intentionally broad about what counts as an alternative, encouraging proposals that explore a wide range of new methodologies, technologies, systems, and strategies. The key requirement is that the work targets economically important pests for which methyl bromide has effectively been the only reliable option, and that the results can translate into usable solutions for affected commodities.

A distinguishing requirement of this program is the expectation of a focused economic analysis tied directly to commercial adoption. Proposals must not only show whether an alternative works biologically or operationally, but also analyze the costs of implementing the transition at scale. In practice, that means addressing the financial implications of switching away from methyl bromide, such as changes in input costs, labor, equipment, operational complexity, and any yield or quality impacts, with an emphasis on how feasible the alternative is for producers and supply chains under real market conditions.

Eligibility is limited to colleges and universities as defined in Section 1404 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3103), including categories added or clarified through later legislation. Updates referenced in the notice include the recognition of Hispanic-serving Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) and the inclusion of research foundations maintained by eligible institutions, as well as the explicit eligibility of the 1994 Land-Grant Institutions through amendments to AREERA. While only eligible colleges and universities may submit applications, award recipients are allowed to subcontract with organizations that are not themselves eligible applicants if those partners are necessary to carry out the project. However, eligibility is strictly enforced: failing to meet the criteria by the application deadline can lead to an application being excluded from consideration or prevent NIFA from making an award even if the proposal is reviewed.

Administratively, this opportunity is a discretionary USDA grant under CFDA 10.303. The funding opportunity is listed as "Methyl Bromide Transition Program" with opportunity number USDA NIFA ICGP 006409, and it was originally posted on 2017-11-13 with an original closing date of 2018-01-30. The notice reflects that this is a competitive grants program focused on agriculture-related research and extension outcomes that reduce reliance on methyl bromide by delivering workable, cost-aware pest management replacements that stakeholders can adopt in the field and in postharvest settings.

• The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Methyl Bromide Transition Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.303.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-11-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-01-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 006409

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