Opportunities

The Board looks favorably upon projects where there are partnerships as well as funding co-sponsors. The Board likes to see projects with a valid prospective approach to research rooted in a solid basis of sound practices.

CURRENT RFP

Awards for the second 2025/2026 RFP round have been officially announced.

Funds for the Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence were awarded on January 6, 2026.

The Board looked favorably upon projects where there are partnerships as well as funding co-sponsors, projects with a valid prospective approach to research rooted in a solid basis of sound practices and the impact on Pennsylvania agriculture, and multiple species benefit from the research. In addition, the Board accepted proposals for sponsorship of events and activities that attract a statewide (Pennsylvania) audience.

$900,000 was awarded for projects related to the following areas as it relates to poultry, swine, sheep and goat production in the Commonwealth, as described below.

Biosecurity

Biosecurity and proper preparedness continue to be of utmost concern to CPLE. The emphasis remains on lamb, sheep, goat, swine, and poultry producers across the Commonwealth. As we assess the threat of diseases (foreign and domestic), the value of biosecurity planning and planning for mass casualty will be a tremendous value to the agriculture community, food supply, and the continuity of business.

• Cost share/funding for development, implementation, and maintenance of biosecurity plans and secure food supply planning and premise identification outreach.
• Mitigation of highly contagious disease spread and disposal of waste products.
• Designated programs for PA Swine to ensure their readiness if a disease would impact their operation.
• Educational outreach to underserved communities.

Animal Agriculture Infrastructure

Agriculture is the #1 business in Pennsylvania. Diagnostics is one of the concerns, as well as the need for workforce development (apprenticeships, internships, the sincere need to build capacity in Pennsylvania for our industry).

At this time, we need to invest in tools and equipment within our university systems to ensure students are proficient in the use of modern technology. Additionally, expanding Pennsylvania’s diagnostic tools in university labs will decrease the number of samples being outsourced.

• Identify and train Subject Matter Experts in mass depopulation, disposal, disinfection, and composting of domestic livestock.
• Increase awareness and availability of diagnostic tools and uses within universities and PADLS system.
• Develop necessary infrastructure to support diagnostics in the event of introduction of a food animal foreign animal disease into PA.
• Telemedicine and Augmented Reality: Development, Training, and Opportunities.
• Food Animal Internship and Training Opportunities for college students and veterinarians.
• Student loan repayment opportunity targeted to food animal veterinarian school graduates practicing in PA.

Applied Research

There continues to be a need to conduct specific research for new and emerging issues facing livestock producers of lamb, sheep, goat, swine and poultry.

• Solicitation of industry input on specific diseases to identify and estimate economic impact.
• Establish practices and protocols to mediate/prevent/eliminate infectious and non-infectious diseases and infestations.
• Explore regenerative practices in animal production such as heirloom breeds.
• Projects related to feeds and feedings, such as mycotoxins in feed.
• Research and knowledge sharing related to small ruminant nutrition.
• Expand knowledge base of PA Swine Producers on nutrition, testing protocols and emergency preparedness.

Food Security

Pennsylvania is uniquely located within an 8-hour drive of 80% of the population in the United States, which allows PA products to be freshest to market. Coupled with the diversity of animal agriculture in the Commonwealth, we need to enhance our network to ensure food safety while maintaining the needs of their customers.

• Cyber Attack – protecting food supply through the entire food chain.
• On-Farm processing and selling of poultry, swine, lamb, sheep, and goats. Audit system to lower risks related to foodborne illness.
• Understand processing limitations and challenges for swine producers and develop methods to improve harvesting capacity.
• Better understand the various ethnic (cultural/faith) markets to increase traceability of direct marketed, custom-harvested food animals.
• Messaging on animal well-being and production practices to increase knowledge and awareness of food production.