Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Thursday that several Texas universities and research institutions have been chosen for funding under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s New World Screwworm Grand Challenge, an initiative aimed at detecting and eradicating the pest.
The USDA is distributing roughly $105 million across 40 projects nationwide, with multiple awards directed to Texas-based research teams, according to a press release issued by the governor’s office.
Texas recipients include Texas Tech University, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, The University of Texas at Arlington, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and additional Texas A&M entities.
The funded research covers improvements to the sterile insect technique, new traps and lures, therapeutics, AI-enabled surveillance, drone monitoring, and other tools intended to strengthen preparedness and response. A full list of the grant recipients is available here.
“Texas is no stranger to the New World screwworm threat and we are prepared to push this danger out of our state for good,” Abbott said. “These grants will empower Texans on the front lines to eradicate the screwworm and protect our livestock industry. I thank Secretary Rollins for her swift action on these awards and for her steadfast support as Texas brings this pest to its end.”
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the program drew submissions that met the agency’s goals.
“We launched the Grand Challenge expecting bold, innovative, and science-backed ideas to fight New World screwworm, and the proposals delivered just that,” Rollins said. “These projects represent the creativity, scientific rigor, and determination we need to reinforce our existing efforts, empower our producers, and safeguard American agriculture and our food supply. We have beaten this pest before, and by leveraging innovative solutions and advancements in technology we will beat it again in record time.”
The USDA launched the Grand Challenge on January 21 as part of Rollins’ five-pronged plan to back producers, protect the food supply, and build long-term resilience. The agency received 226 applications seeking about $664 million before narrowing the field to 40 funded projects.
State officials are urging Texans to remain alert. Residents are asked to check livestock and pets for wounds and to report suspected cases, including in wildlife.
Livestock and pet cases can be reported to the Texas Animal Health Commission’s 24-hour veterinarian call line at 1-800-550-8242. Wildlife cases can be reported to Texas Parks and Wildlife’s 24-hour biologists’ call line at 512-389-4505. Affected animals should not be moved.
