Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence (CPLE) Research Funding - FY 2025/2026

Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence (CPLE) Research Funding

Geographic Scope: Pennsylvania (Commonwealth)

Focus Species: Poultry, swine, sheep, and goats

Biosecurity

• Cost share/funding for development, implementation, and maintenance of biosecurity plans and secure food supply planning
• Premise identification outreach
• Mitigation of highly contagious disease spread and disposal of waste products
• Designated programs for PA swine to ensure readiness for disease impact (includes tabletop exercises, response planning, US SHIP programs)
• Educational outreach to underserved communities

Animal Agriculture Infrastructure

• Diagnostic capacity expansion and workforce development (apprenticeships, internships)
• Tools and equipment for university systems to ensure student proficiency in modern technology
• Expansion of diagnostic tools in university labs to reduce outsourcing of samples
• Remote access veterinary services for underserved areas
• Training of Subject Matter Experts in mass depopulation, disposal, disinfection, and composting
• Telemedicine and Augmented Reality development for food animal veterinarians
• Food Animal Internship and Training Opportunities
• Student loan repayment for food animal veterinarian graduates practicing in PA

Applied Research

• Research on new and emerging infectious and non-infectious diseases
• Establishment of practices and protocols to mediate/prevent/eliminate/eradicate diseases and infestations
• Regenerative practices in animal production
• Projects related to feeds and feedings (e.g., mycotoxins)
• Small ruminant nutrition research and knowledge sharing
• Swine producer knowledge expansion on nutrition, testing, disease preparedness, and animal welfare

Food Security

• Cyber attack protection for food supply
• On-farm processing and selling safety audits for poultry, swine, lamb, sheep, and goats
• Processing limitations and harvesting capacity improvements for swine producers
• Ethnic/cultural/faith market traceability for direct marketed products
• Consumer messaging on animal well-being and production practices

Board Priorities

• Projects with partnerships and funding co-sponsors
• Valid prospective approach rooted in sound practices
• Impact on Pennsylvania agriculture
• Projects benefiting multiple species
• Events and activities attracting statewide audience

Application Process

1. Review Guidelines and Policies: Review the Research Funding Guidelines & Policies document available on the CPLE website
2. Review Example Proposal: Examine a past CPLE proposal example for formatting and content guidance
3. Prepare Proposal: Develop proposal addressing one or more priority research areas
4. Submit by Deadline: Submit proposal by 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 22, 2025
5. Await Announcement: Awards announced on January 6, 2026

Required Elements

• Valid prospective research approach
• Documentation of partnerships and co-sponsors (highly encouraged)
• Clear connection to Pennsylvania agriculture
• Identification of target species and geographic scope within PA
• Demonstration of impact and relevance to priority areas

Important Notes

• Proposals for sponsorship of events and activities with statewide Pennsylvania audience are accepted
• Board evaluates projects for sound practices and valid approach
• Multi-species benefit enhances competitiveness