Tribal Nations Wild Cervid CWD Funding Opportunity

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the availability of more than $12 million for states and Tribal governments, research institutions and universities to control and prevent chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild and farmed cervids (e.g., deer, elk).

State departments of agriculture, state animal health agencies, state departments of wildlife or natural resources, research institutions and universities, and Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments and organizations are eligible to submit funding proposals to control and prevent CWD in farmed and wild cervids through the development and/or implementation of CWD surveillance, testing, management, and response activities including the indemnification of farmed cervids. Funds may also be provided to:

• Further research, development, and evaluation of techniques and strategies for controlling and preventing CWD.
• Support education and outreach activities to increase awareness about the disease and how it spreads.
• Further research likely to lead to new methods, tools, or improved strategies for the prevention or control of CWD. 

There is a Tribal set-aside of $500,000 for projects that support at least one of the following priorities:

• Improve the management of CWD-affected wild cervid populations
• Manage the environment to effectively control CWD in wild cervid-affected areas (CWD-endemic areas)
• Conduct research on amplification assays in wild cervids and other new test methods
• Conduct research on developing and/or applying predictive genetics for wild cervids
• Develop and/or deliver educational outreach materials or programs to wild cervid stakeholders or Tribal entities

Tribes are also eligible for the larger pool of $5.5 million, open to states, Federally Recognized Tribes, tribal organizations, and universities.