Texas A&M Agrilife Receives Federal Funding for New World Screwworm Research

Jun 19, 2026

By Kay Ledbetter

Texas A&M AgriLife will receive part of $105 million in research funding announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, to bolster the nation’s defenses against New World screwworm, NWS.

USDA launched the NWS Grand Challenge in January, calling for innovators from federal and non-federal entities to help prevent the spread of NWS by developing high-impact projects to enhance detection, control, and eradication readiness. On June 17, it announced funding for 40 breakthrough research projects.

Texas A&M AgriLife was selected to lead seven proposals and contribute to seven additional projects from the 226 applications. Projects were selected based on their innovative approaches, scientific gold standards and their potential to make a significant impact on the prevention and response to NWS.

In addition to the 40 projects announced, Texas A&M AgriLife Research is already conducting a separate USDA-funded Grand Challenge project assessing the feasibility, efficacy and operational readiness of electron beam, eBeam, technology as a non-radioactive alternative to cobalt-60 gamma irradiation for sterilizing NWS pupae in sterile insect technique programs.

“These projects reflect the strength of our Texas A&M AgriLife teams and their commitment to protecting animal health and supporting Texans,” said Jeffrey W. Savell, Ph.D., vice chancellor and dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences.

“By uniting innovation with purpose, we’re building the tools that protect livestock, safeguard our food systems and strengthen the resilience of every community that depends on them,” said G. Cliff Lamb, director of AgriLife Research. “This work reflects our commitment to science that serves, providing solutions that defend animal health today while preparing Texas and the nation for the challenges ahead.”

Grand Challenge focus areas

The Grand Challenge focuses on four core priorities:

Enhance sterile NWS fly production to improve program efficiency and capacity.
Develop novel NWS traps and lures to modernize detection and early warning systems.
Advance NWS therapeutics and treatments to reduce animal health impacts and strengthen response capability.
Develop tools that bolster preparedness and response, including repellents, ecological modeling, wildlife surveillance, or other innovative approaches.

Source : tamu.edu

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