Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) Grants
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
(1) University of Vermont (Grant: 84043601): Period of Performance (POP) Ended 02/28/2025
In Fiscal Year 2024-2025, the following deliverables were accomplished:
In 2024 Quarter 1 (Jan-Mar), UVM identified participating demonstration farms, provided outreach on pest lifecycles, field conditions that attract pests, and management methods to reduce risk at 3 winter meetings with over 190 attendees, hosted an additional webinar, and shared neonic research results at two events.
In 2024 Quarter 2 (Apr-Jun), NWCS procured seed, established demonstration sites, and completed scouting.
In 2024 Quarter 3 (July-Sep), NWCS hosted the annual field day and shared new research results.
In 2024 Quarter 4 (Oct-Dec), NWCS began analyzing 2024 research results.
Thus far, over 1,000 stakeholders have received information on neonic seed treatments, risks, and prevention, scouting methods, and monitoring tools. These farms represent over 5,000 acres of corn and soybean ground.
Note: Grantee has 90-120 days to submit final invoices after the POP ends.
(2) Oregon State University (Grant 84043501): Period of Performance (POP) ended 8/15/25
In Fiscal Year 2024-2025, the following deliverables were accomplished:
Developed curricula for four 1-hour training modules applicable to diverse field crop operations.
Four on-demand, self-paced PACE courses with CORE ODA pesticide recertification credits and Certified Crop Adviser (CAA) Integrated Pest Management credits have been completed and are now accessible through OSU Canvas.
Over the reporting period, six in-person workshops and three outreach events were organized to support herbicide resistance education and engagement.
In the reporting period, in-person workshops reached over 800 agriculture professionals, including pesticide applicators, consultants, and producers, enhancing participants’ understanding of key weed species, herbicide resistance mechanisms, herbicide rotation based on mode of action, non-chemical weed management, IPM, and the associated environmental and economic risks.
The project engaged an additional 360 participants through field day events, raising awareness about pesticide resistance and emphasizing the need for increased technical capacity among agricultural professionals and producers.
To date, over 60 students have completed the pesticide resistance online course series, strengthening their knowledge and skills in pesticide resistance, particularly herbicide resistance principles, and providing flexible educational formats designed to meet the diverse needs of professionals and producers across the western region.
Note: Grantee has 90-120 days to submit final invoices after the POP ends.
(3) West Virginia University (Grant: 84043901): Closed out
In Fiscal Year 2024-2025, the following deliverables were accomplished:
Conducted presentations about the following topics: Using Beneficial Organisms and Organic Products to Control Pests; Scouting and Trapping of Insects; How Upcoming EPA Changes Will Affect Agricultural Production; How Upcoming EPA Changes Will Affect Agricultural Production (in Spanish); Insect Pest Control in High Tunnels; Basics of Entomology; Insect Metamorphosis and Common Families; Insect Damage and Control; Integrated pest management; Pest management in high tunnel; Pesticide label; Principles of Pest Control (in Spanish); Pesticides in Our Environment (in Spanish)
Facilitated/ presented 15 workshops, used 12 presentation topics, and reached 606 participants who identified as growers (fruit/vegetable), master gardeners, pesticide applicators (private and public of several categories), WVU Extension agents/faculty, and government officials (USDA). Lastly, we collaborate in training 130 Spanish agricultural workers (70) and prospective pesticide applicators (50).
(4) Purdue University (Grant 84043701): Period of Performance (POP) ended 08/31/2025
In Fiscal Year 2024-2025, the following deliverables were accomplished:
The two-year sampling effort described above was summarized and prepared into a manuscript for peer review. This paper was prepared and submitted during June-August 2025 and submitted to the Journal of Economic Entomology (Manuscript ID ECONENT-2025-0761) for publication. The manuscript has now been reviewed by two external reviewers and is being revised for final acceptance. Additionally, we are in the process of collecting materials (information, pictures, etc.) from this project to prepare a Purdue Extension bulletin on Cucurbit IPM that would translate the results for a grower audience. This extension publication will be created during Jan-May 2026.
Program Objective
The objective of this program is to encourage smart, sensible, and sustainable pest control in agriculture. The Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) grants initiative enables grantees to implement sustainable pest management practices that align with the Agency's strategic goal of providing a cleaner and healthier environment for all Americans. The PESP grants initiative supports projects that focus on sustainable pest management approaches, reduce the risks associated with pesticide use in agricultural pest management, and integrated pest management (IPM) implementation. Assistance agreements support projects that explore innovative practices, technologies, education, and non-regulatory solutions that adopt integrated pest management (IPM) strategies. Projects address the implementation of environmentally sound pest management practices, approaches, training, and innovations that reduce the risks associated with pesticide use in agricultural settings and, where feasible, lead to corresponding reductions in greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. These projects reduce unnecessary exposures to pests and pesticides through the adoption of integrated pest management practices and strengthen our shared goals of sustainable pest management. Most recently funded projects are implementing arthropod IPM on watermelon farms for pollinator protection, improving knowledge about IPM and pesticide safety, integrating pest and pollinator management strategies for ornamental plant production, and delivering herbicide resistance training through web-based and in-person workshops to Pacific Northwest agricultural professionals. To find out more about integrated pest management (IPM), visit EPA’s Introduction to Integrated Pest Management website at https://www.epa.gov/ipm/introduction-integrated-pest-management.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. State Government
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
- Other
Assistance under this competition is available to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, any agency or instrumentality of a State, including State universities, and all Federally recognized Native American Tribes. Local governments, private universities, private nonprofit entities, private businesses, and individuals are not eligible. For-profit organizations are not eligible. Non-profit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are also not eligible to apply. For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Policy for the Competition of Assistance Agreements.
Local governments, private universities, private nonprofit entities, private businesses, and individuals are not eligible. For-profit organizations are not eligible. Non-profit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are also not eligible to apply.
For certain competitive funding opportunities under this assistance listing, the Agency may limit eligibility to compete to a number or subset of eligible applicants consistent with the Agency's Policy for the Competition of Assistance Agreements.
Beneficiaries
- U.S. Territory Government
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
- State
Any State, U.S. Territory/Possession, Native American Organization, or other entities working in conjunction with these eligible applicants.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
EPA will review and evaluate applications in accordance with the terms, conditions, and criteria stated in the NOFO. Competitions will be conducted in accordance with EPA's Policy for the Competition of Assistance Agreements.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 90 to 120 days
Approximately 120 days after the application submission due date.
Program details & compliance
Description
Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) is an EPA partnership program that works with the nation’s pesticide-user community to promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices.
Mission Categories
Primary: Agricultural Resource Conservation and Development
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Grants may be used to fund projects that further the implementation of smart, sensible, and sustainable pest control and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) implementation in agriculture. The type of projects that will be considered includes outreach, demonstration, education, partnerships, research, and related activities. Projects must include efforts to implement sustainable/IPM practices that lead to pest and pesticide risk reduction. This program makes Federal awards on a discretionary basis. A discretionary award means an award in which the Federal awarding agency, in keeping with specific statutory authority that enables the agency to exercise judgment (“discretion”), selects the recipient and/or the amount of Federal funding awarded through a competitive process or based on the merit of proposals. A discretionary award may be selected on a non-competitive basis, as appropriate. For further information, please contact the Headquarters or the regional office.
Required Documentation
Key officials should have documented appropriate work experience or education to effectively carry out the proposed work plan. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements