The US Poultry & Egg Association and the USPOULTRY Foundation have approved $687,000 for nine new research grants at six institutions through the comprehensive research program. The boards of directors for both organizations approved the research funding following recommendations from the Foundation Research Advisory Committee (FRAC). This committee assesses research proposals for their relevance to the industry and advises the boards on funding decisions. Its members are professionals from various segments of the poultry and egg industry, bringing diverse expertise to the evaluation process.

The association’s comprehensive research program dates to the early 1960s, when funds were first approved for poultry disease research. It gradually grew into an all-inclusive program incorporating all phases of poultry and egg production and processing. Since the inception of the research program, USPOULTRY has reinvested more than $37 million, or $65 million adjusted for inflation, into the industry in the form of research grants, with 50-plus universities and federal and state facilities receiving the grants over the years.

“Supporting research in critical areas remains a cornerstone of USPOULTRY’s and the Foundation’s commitment to strengthening the poultry and egg industry. The FRAC members devote extensive time and expertise to evaluating proposals and providing thoughtful funding recommendations. Their diligence and contributions are deeply valued and appreciated,” said Jonathan Cade, Hy-Line International and USPOULTRY chair.

The research grants for each institution include:

• "Development of Nano-vaccines for Rapid Control of Avian Metapneumovirus in Turkeys" by North Carolina A&T State University 
• "Enhancing Salmonella Reduction and Shelf Life of Raw Chicken Parts Using Plasma-Activated Water, Reduced-Concentration Peracetic Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide" by Auburn University
• "Tracking and Mitigating Rodent-Mediated Biosecurity Risks in Commercial Poultry Facilities: A Mark-Recapture Study" by Purdue University
• "Synergistic Reovirus Immunoprophylaxis: In Ovo Antigen Delivery via MDV Vector and Post-Hatch Nanobody Delivery via Engineered Bacteria" by USDA – Agricultural Research Service
• "Assessing Salmonella-Specific Maternal Antibody Transfer and Its Impact on Vaccine Efficacy, Gut Microbiota and Salmonella Colonization Resistance in Progeny" by Mississippi State University
• "Development of Novel Newcastle Disease Virus Vaccine Vectored Avian Metapneumovirus Vaccine Candidates for In Ovo or Mucosal Vaccination in Chickens and Turkeys" by USDA – Agricultural Research Service
• "Different Approach to Poultry Welfare Evaluation" by Purdue University 
• "Improved Monitoring of Salmonella serovar Enteriditis in Broiler Breeder Flocks" by University of Georgia
• "Genome Wide Association (GWAS) of Campylobacter Hepaticus Causing Disease in Layers Nationally" by University of Georgia 

Source: US Poultry & Egg Association