Plant Protection Act Section 7721 Fiscal Year 2027 National Clean Plant Network (NCPN)
🏛 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 27, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations working to produce and distribute clean, disease-free propagative plant material through a national network of clean plant centers.
Land grant universities, non-land grant colleges of agriculture, state departments of agriculture, state and federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations may apply. Applicants must support the strategic goals of the National Clean Plant Network as outlined in the NCPN Strategic Plan.
Priority is given to projects supporting current NCPN crop groups with coordination from the appropriate specialty crop governing body. Existing federal or state facilities with demonstrated capacity to provide clean plant material are also prioritized.
No cost sharing is required to apply.
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Program description
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announce this funding opportunity to carry out the Plant Protection Act Section 7721 (PPA 7721) National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) program. APHIS will consider project proposals that clearly and directly support the strategic goals and objectives of the National Clean Plant Network as described in the NCPN Strategic Plan. The purpose of the NCPN program is to establish a network of Clean Plant Centers for diagnostic and pathogen elimination services to produce clean propagative plant material and to maintain blocks of pathogen-tested plant material in sites located throughout the United States. The NCPN provides propagative plant material free of targeted plant pathogens to protect the environment and ensure the global competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop producers.
Program priorities align with the goals specified in the NCPN Strategic Plan and include: 1) Optimizing the production, maintenance, and distribution of clean plants, 2) Advancing special initiatives by optimizing the adaptation and implementation of novel technologies and new ideas while increasing the awareness of the importance, availability, and use of clean plants, and 3) Optimizing network resources. Applicants should refer to the NCPN Request for Proposals on the USDA APHIS NCPN website for additional details.
APHIS is providing at least $10 million in funding for the Plant Protection Act (PPA) National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) program under Section 420 of the PPA (7 USC § 7721). The purpose of the NCPN program is to establish a network of Clean Plant Centers for diagnostic and pathogen elimination services to produce clean propagative plant material and to maintain blocks of pathogen-tested plant material in sites located throughout the United States. Additional details about the program are available on the USDA APHIS NCPN website.
Program Goals: The National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) was established under The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) Title X, Sec 10202. Its purpose is to support a network of clean plant centers in the United States for specialty crops to provide reliable sources of propagative material that are free of targeted propagative-borne pathogens. Network clean plant centers conduct diagnostic and pathogen elimination services and establish foundation blocks (nuclear stock) to provide pathogen-tested plant materials to nurseries, growers, and to state certification programs.
Expected Outcomes: Projects funded under this announcement are expected to support programs that provide propagative plant material free of targeted plant pathogens to protect the environment and ensure the global competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop producers.
Funding Priorities: APHIS will consider project proposals that clearly and directly support the strategic goals and objectives of the National Clean Plant Network. Program priorities align with the goals specified in the NCPN Strategic Plan and include: 1) Optimizing the production, maintenance, and distribution of clean plants, 2) Advancing special initiatives by optimizing the adaptation and implementation of novel technologies and new ideas while increasing the awareness of the importance, availability, and use of clean plants, and 3) Optimizing network resources. Projects that support one of the current crop groups in NCPN and show coordination with the appropriate NCPN specialty crop governing body are prioritized for funding. Existing Federal or State facilities with demonstrated capacity to provide clean plant material are also prioritized for funding.
Applicants can find all application materials on the ezFedGrants website or the Grants.gov website by searching Assistance Listing number 10.031. Application materials and additional information are also available on the USDA APHIS NCPN website. All application materials are compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for accessibility.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- NCPN Request for Proposals and application materials
- Project narrative aligned with NCPN Strategic Plan
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Evidence of coordination with specialty crop governing body (if applicable)
- Proof of status as eligible applicant (university, state agency, or nonprofit)
Program contact
- 👤 Donna L Shultz Grantor
- 📧 ncpn@usda.gov
- 📞 919-280-5356
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 10.031 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 10.031). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $229,095,049 | |
| 2025 | $198,954,025 | |
| 2026 est. | $5,577,852 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for NCPN funding?
Land grant universities, non-land grant colleges of agriculture, state departments of agriculture, state and federal agencies, and nonprofits may apply. You must align with NCPN strategic goals.
What types of projects does NCPN fund?
Projects that optimize clean plant production, maintenance, and distribution; advance novel technologies; or improve network resources. Priority goes to projects supporting current NCPN crop groups.
Is cost sharing required?
No, cost sharing is not required for this grant.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is October 19, 2026. Check USDA APHIS NCPN website for any updates or rolling submission details.
What is the funding range?
Awards typically range from $1 to $3,500,000, with $10 million in total program funding available.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Align your project directly with the three NCPN strategic priorities: optimizing production/distribution, advancing technology, or optimizing network resources.
- If you're an existing federal or state facility with demonstrated clean plant production capacity, emphasize that competitive advantage in your proposal.
- Coordinate with the appropriate NCPN specialty crop governing body for your target crop to strengthen your application.
- Reference the NCPN Strategic Plan and Request for Proposals documents on the USDA APHIS website—they contain critical details about priorities.
- Clearly explain how your project protects the environment and supports the global competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop producers.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Projects fail to align with specific NCPN Strategic Plan priorities or lack clear coordination with specialty crop governing bodies. Applicants underestimate the importance of demonstrating existing capacity or infrastructure to produce and distribute clean plant material. Proposals that don't address how the project supports U.S. specialty crop competitiveness globally are weaker.
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