Addressing Unanticipated Threats
The Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) program deploys urgent funding to support research and outreach in response to emerging or unanticipated threats to the nation’s food supply or agricultural systems.
Plant and animal pests and pathogens can strike quickly, devastating crops, livestock and livelihoods. When such events occur, it often takes months before an effective response can be mounted. Researchers must first understand these pests and pathogens before developin an effective solution. While the initial period after pest or pathogen detection is critical to stopping the threat, conventional research funding opportunities take significant time and effort to pursue.
To address these outbreaks quickly, FFAR’s ROAR Program funds rapid research related to response, prevention or mitigation of new pests and pathogens. ROAR’s one-year funding fills urgent research gaps until traditional, longer-term funding can be secured.
ROAR grants are swift, diverse and far-reaching. In the past, we have awarded ROAR grants to combat invasive weevils, lettuce wilt, swine viruses and cattle ticks, among other pests and pathogens.
ROAR applications are subject to a rigorous scientific review process and matching funding requirements. We encourage applicants to form broad-based coalitions to increase research collaboration and maximize the adoption of new knowledge and practices by the agriculture sector.
What to know when applying
The ROAR program is open year-round to eligible applicants. FFAR awards one-year grants, up to $150,000, in response to an outbreak for the development of diagnostics, monitoring and mitigation strategies. Matching funds are required for this opportunity.
Applicants are required to submit a one-page concept note via FFAR’s Grants Management portal outlining:
The research team members;
The source and amount of matching funds; and
A brief description of the pest or pathogen threat and why it should be considered for rapid funding.
Based on the concept note, FFAR may invite applicants to apply for the ROAR program. Upon invitation, applicants will have eight weeks to apply.
Submit a ROAR concept note
Public and private institutions of higher education
Nonprofit organizations
For-profit organizations
Eligibility Criteria include:
Requested funds should not address weather, natural disaster or food safety response efforts.
The pest or pathogen should be an emerging or unanticipated threat to the nation’s food supply or agricultural systems.
The pest or pathogen will result in a significant negative impact of regional or national significance (Please consider: pathogenicity, potential geographic range, potential economic impact of outbreak, potential for outbreak to occur).
The suggested research should be short-term and focused on one of the following: diagnostics, monitoring protocols, coordinating response teams and/or developing prevention/mitigation strategies that will be applied quickly through extension or other outreach methods.
If the project includes diagnostic tools, the tools should be specific to an imminent or ongoing disease or pest outbreak and have a high potential for dissemination to industry.
Matching funds should be confirmed and able to be certified within eight weeks of concept submission.