Overview

RFP: Swine Health

The Swine Disease Research task force is a group of producers, veterinarians and subject matter experts who meet on a regular basis to determine swine health research priorities and release a spring and fall request for proposals (RFPs) based on the task force identified priorities. In addition to the two RFPs, the task force would like to extend an invitation to researchers to submit research proposals that may not fall within the two defined RFPs. This is an open RFP and proposals can be submitted at any time for consideration by the task force. Submitted proposals will be reviewed upon receipt and will be considered for funding should the task force identify the submitted proposal as a research need.

What Valuable Research Question Does this RFP Address?

This RFP focuses on knowledge gaps related to prevention, control, elimination, preparedness and response for endemic and foreign animal diseases. Examples of topics and pathogens of interest can be found below, however, submitters can submit proposals that address a swine health related priority that is not addressed below.

Research Priorities

Endemic Diseases and Pathogens of Interest

  1. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRSV)
  2. Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PEDV)
  3. Influenza (IAV)
  4. Porcine circovirus (PCVx)
  5. Senecavirus A (SVA)
  6. Rotavirus
  7. Bacterial pathogens
    • Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus spp, Actinobacillus spp, Mycoplasma spp, Glasserella parasuis

Foreign Animal Diseases and Pathogens of Interest

  1. Foot and mouth disease (FMDV)
  2. Classical swine fever (CSF)
  3. African swine fever (ASF)
    • Develop supportive care options such as anti-inflammatories and anti-pyretics, etc. for viral infections such as PRRSV. Special attention should be given to practices that would allow for group treatments.

Topic Areas (Examples)

  1. Health management: vaccination protocols, treatments, etc.
  2. Biosecurity: downtime, supply entry, transport, manure management, mortality management, etc.
  3. Diagnostics: assay development, assay evaluation, tools for diagnosis, etc.

Criteria for Approval

Submitters may submit proposals at any time covering any topic. The submitter must include an explanation of industry need for the proposed research in the Value of Proposed Research section of the proposal.

Submitters must submit proposals that are well written with a defined budget and robust study design that clearly addresses the research priorities.

Evaluation

Individual projects contained within the proposal must meet the same standards of scientific rigor and statistical validity as typical National Pork Board research grants. Poorly written proposals that fail to demonstrate how researchers will address research priorities will not be considered.

A Task Force comprised of pork producers, veterinarians, allied industry representatives and subject matter experts will evaluate each proposal for its approach to desired outcomes, application to and impact on the pork production industry.

Due Date

Research proposals can be submitted at any time for consideration by the task force.

Funding Amount

There is $500,000 available for this rolling RFP. Budgets for submitted proposals should not exceed this amount.

Applicants should not interpret the maximum allowable amount as a suggestion to expand their anticipated budget to this level. Reasonable budgets necessary to achieve desired outcomes are in favor of the applicant.

Budgets not commensurate with proposed work or poorly justified will likely negatively impact the evaluation of the proposal. Indirect costs are not allowed; however, it is allowable to request salary and fringe benefit support.

Proposal Format Requirements

Submissions for this RFP should follow the National Pork Board’s standard instructions, format and requirements. Please ensure your proposal format includes all required information, specifically under the budget section. A proposal template is available upon request.

Questions?

For questions, please contact:

Marisa Rotolo, DVM, PHD
Director, Swine Health
National Pork Board
[email protected]