Plant Protection Act Section 7721 Fiscal Year 2027 National Clean Plant Network (NCPN)
Funds projects that establish and operate Clean Plant Centers and related network activities to produce and distribute pathogen-tested propagative plant material for U.S. specialty crops.
⚑ Eligible applicants are limited to land grant universities, non-land grant colleges of agriculture, state departments of agriculture, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations. · Program is centered on diagnostic and pathogen elimination services, maintenance of foundation blocks, and distribution of clean plant material, not general research. · Prioritizes projects tied to current NCPN crop groups, coordination with the relevant specialty crop governing body, and existing federal or state facilities with demonstrated capacity. · Assistance Listing 10.031; cooperative agreement/other instrument.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| IPPRA | 35 weak | peripheral portfolio topic: environment; social/behavioral work is none; funds service delivery, not research (capped) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 25 weak | prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 25 weak | technical depth: minor; funds service delivery (capped) |
Description
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announce this funding opportunity to carry out the Plant Protection Act Section 7721 (PPA 7721) National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) program. APHIS will consider project proposals that clearly and directly support the strategic goals and objectives of the National Clean Plant Network as described in the NCPN Strategic Plan . The purpose of the NCPN program is to establish a network of Clean Plant Centers for diagnostic and pathogen elimination services to produce clean propagative plant material and to maintain blocks of pathogen-tested plant material in sites located throughout the United States. The NCPN provides propagative plant material free of targeted plant pathogens to protect the environment and ensure the global competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop producers.
Program priorities align with the goals specified in the NCPN Strategic Plan and include: 1) Optimizing the production, maintenance, and distribution of clean plants, 2) Advancing special initiatives by optimizing the adaptation and implementation of novel technologies and new ideas while increasing the awareness of the importance, availability, and use of clean plants, and 3) Optimizing network resources. Applicants should refer to the NCPN Request for Proposals on the USDA APHIS NCPN website for additional details.
APHIS is providing at least $10 million in funding for the Plant Protection Act (PPA) National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) program under Section 420 of the PPA (7 USC § 7721). The purpose of the NCPN program is to establish a network of Clean Plant Centers for diagnostic and pathogen elimination services to produce clean propagative plant material and to maintain blocks of pathogen-tested plant material in sites located throughout the United States. Additional details about the program are available on the USDA APHIS NCPN website.
Program Goals: The National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) was established under The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) Title X, Sec 10202. Its purpose is to support a network of clean plant centers in the United States for specialty crops to provide reliable sources of propagative material that are free of targeted propagative-borne pathogens. Network clean plant centers conduct diagnostic and pathogen elimination services and establish foundation blocks (nuclear stock) to provide pathogen-tested plant materials to nurseries, growers, and to state certification programs.
Expected Outcomes: Projects funded under this announcement are expected to support programs that provide propagative plant material free of targeted plant pathogens to protect the environment and ensure the global competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop producers.
Funding Priorities: APHIS will consider project proposals that clearly and directly support the strategic goals and objectives of the National Clean Plant Network. Program priorities align with the goals specified in the NCPN Strategic Plan and include: 1) Optimizing the production, maintenance, and distribution of clean plants, 2) Advancing special initiatives by optimizing the adaptation and implementation of novel technologies and new ideas while increasing the awareness of the importance, availability, and use of clean plants, and 3) Optimizing network resources. Projects that support one of the current crop groups in NCPN and show coordination with the appropriate NCPN specialty crop governing body are prioritized for funding. Existing Federal or State facilities with demonstrated capacity to provide clean plant material are also prioritized for funding.
Applicants can find all application materials on the ezFedGrants website or the Grants.gov website by searching Assistance Listing number 10.031 . Application materials and additional i nformation are also available on the USDA APHIS NCPN website . All application materials are compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for accessibility.
Eligibility
PPA 7721 NCPN eligible applicants are: 1. Land grant universities 2. Non-land grant colleges of agriculture 3. State Departments of Agriculture 4. State and Federal agencies 5. Non-profit organizations
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: Donna L Shultz Grantor <ncpn@usda.gov>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · USDA NIFA conventions SEE A USDA EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — USDA NIFA's document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.