Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA ICGP 009484

The Methyl Bromide Transition Program (MBT) is a competitive USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant program designed to help U.S. agriculture adjust to the phase-out of methyl bromide, a pesticide that for many years played a central role in controlling soilborne and postharvest pests and diseases. Because methyl bromide was often viewed as the single most reliable option for certain high-value crops and storage situations, its removal creates immediate operational gaps and real transition costs for growers, shippers, and associated industries. This program is intended to reduce those disruptions by accelerating practical, commercially workable replacements and by supporting the outreach needed to get those replacements adopted in the field.

The opportunity emphasizes integrated, commercial-scale research rather than small proof-of-concept trials. In practice, that means proposed projects are expected to test and validate alternative pest management approaches under real production conditions and at scales that reflect how growers and industry actually operate. The program is looking for a broad range of replacement approaches, including new methodologies, technologies, systems, and strategies that can control economically important pests where methyl bromide historically served as the primary or only effective tool. Just as important, projects are expected to pair research with extension activities so that results move beyond publications and into decision-making, implementation, and grower practice.

A key requirement is that projects focus on commodities facing critical issues tied to the methyl bromide transition. Applicants should make a clear case that the pest and commodity situation is significant, that existing tools are insufficient or impractical, and that the proposed work would materially improve grower and industry options. Another core element is a focused economic analysis that examines the cost of adopting the new approach at commercial scale. This is not an optional add-on; the program wants applicants to quantify what transition looks like in real terms, such as changes in input costs, labor, equipment, yields, risk, marketability, compliance, or other cost drivers that affect adoption.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity (CFDA 10.303) offered by USDA NIFA under Funding Opportunity Number USDA NIFA ICGP 009484. The listing indicates an expected total of about four awards, with an award ceiling of $500,000 per project. The opportunity record was created on November 17, 2022, and the original closing date was February 13, 2023. Eligibility is described as "Others," with specifics referenced in the opportunitys eligibility clarification text, which typically means applicants need to consult the full notice to confirm which organizations or partnerships qualify.

Overall, the MBT program is aimed at helping agriculture move from reliance on a phased-out fumigant to integrated, scalable alternatives that maintain pest control performance while being feasible to implement and supportable economically. Successful projects, based on the program description, are likely to be those that combine applied research, on-the-ground validation, strong extension plans, and credible economic analysis demonstrating how and why the proposed alternatives can realistically replace methyl bromide in the targeted systems.

  • The Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Methyl Bromide Transition Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.303.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Nov 17, 2022.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 13, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Methyl Bromide Transition Program (MBT)

What is the Methyl Bromide Transition Program (MBT)?

The Methyl Bromide Transition Program (MBT) is a competitive grant program run by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It is designed to help U.S. agriculture adjust to the phase-out of methyl bromide by accelerating practical, commercially workable pest management replacements and supporting the outreach needed for adoption.

Why does this program exist?

Methyl bromide was widely relied on to control soilborne and postharvest pests and diseases, especially in certain high-value crops and storage situations where it was considered the most reliable (and sometimes the only effective) option. Its phase-out creates immediate operational gaps and real transition costs for growers, shippers, and related industries. MBT aims to reduce those disruptions.

Which federal agency administers the grant?

The grant opportunity is offered by USDA NIFA (the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture).

Is MBT a competitive grant?

Yes. MBT is described as a competitive USDA NIFA grant program.

What type of work does MBT prioritize?

The program emphasizes integrated, commercial-scale research rather than small proof-of-concept trials. Projects are expected to test and validate alternatives under real production conditions and at scales that match how growers and industry operate.

What kinds of alternatives to methyl bromide are encouraged?

The opportunity is looking for a broad range of replacement approaches, including new methodologies, technologies, systems, and strategies that can control economically important pests in cases where methyl bromide historically served as the primary or only effective tool.

Does the program require research to be paired with outreach or extension?

Yes. Projects are expected to pair research with extension activities so results move beyond publications and into real-world decision-making, implementation, and grower practice.

What scale of research is expected?

Projects are expected to be conducted at an integrated, commercial scale, meaning they should reflect real production conditions and realistic operating scales for growers and industry.

Do projects need to focus on specific commodities?

Yes. A key requirement is that projects focus on commodities facing critical issues tied to the methyl bromide transition.

How should an applicant justify the need for the proposed project?

Applicants should make a clear case that the pest and commodity situation is significant, that existing tools are insufficient or impractical, and that the proposed work would materially improve grower and industry options.

Is an economic analysis required?

Yes. A focused economic analysis is described as a core element, not an optional add-on. Applicants are expected to quantify what transition looks like in real terms at commercial scale.

What kinds of costs or impacts should the economic analysis cover?

The program indicates the analysis should quantify adoption impacts such as changes in input costs, labor, equipment, yields, risk, marketability, compliance, or other cost drivers that influence whether growers and industry can adopt the alternative.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed is USDA NIFA ICGP 009484.

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The opportunity is identified as CFDA 10.303.

How many awards are expected?

The listing indicates an expected total of about four awards.

What is the maximum award amount per project?

The award ceiling is $500,000 per project.

When was the opportunity record created?

The opportunity record was created on November 17, 2022.

What was the original closing date?

The original closing date listed was February 13, 2023.

What does the eligibility category "Others" mean here?

The eligibility is described as "Others," with specifics referenced in the opportunity's eligibility clarification text. This typically means applicants need to consult the full notice to confirm which organizations or partnerships qualify.

Is this a discretionary grant?

Yes. The MBT program is described as a discretionary grant opportunity.

What makes a project more likely to fit MBT based on the description?

Based on the program description, stronger-fit projects are likely to combine applied research, on-the-ground commercial validation, a strong extension plan, and credible economic analysis demonstrating how and why the alternatives can realistically replace methyl bromide in the targeted system.

Does MBT fund small, early-stage proof-of-concept trials?

The opportunity emphasizes integrated, commercial-scale research rather than small proof-of-concept trials, indicating the program is focused on later-stage validation and practical implementation under real conditions.

What problem is MBT trying to solve in practical terms?

MBT is intended to help agriculture move away from reliance on a phased-out fumigant by supporting alternatives that maintain pest control performance and are feasible to implement at commercial scale, with enough outreach and economic evidence to support adoption.

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