Overview
RFP: Swine Health – General Disease
The Swine Disease Research Task Force has identified three research priorities for requests for proposals. Endemic enteric disease continues to challenge the industry on a day-to-day basis and knowledge gaps related to inactivation of pathogens in manure and field-based diagnostics provide an opportunity to advance the swine industry. With industry discussions on a potential Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDv) elimination plan, the need for a comprehensive literature review has been identified. The task force has identified these gaps through discussion with producers, veterinarians and subject matter experts. The National Pork Board continues to support producers by utilizing Pork Checkoff dollars to identify and address knowledge gaps.
What Valuable Research Question Does this RFP Address?
This RFP focuses on knowledge gaps related to pathogen management and prevention.
The Swine Disease Research Task force, made up of producers, veterinarians and subject matter experts has identified the following research priorities for 2024.
Research Priorities
1. Manure Management:
- Establish guidelines for time to inactivation of PEDv in manure in pits, slurry and lagoons after an outbreak, taking into account outside factors such as weather conditions.
2. Diagnostics:
- Development of field-based highly sensitive and specific novel enteric pathogen panel including enteric pathogens of interest such as Rotavirus, PEDv, E. coli, Clostridium spp, and Porcine deltacoronavirus. The assay must include PEDv and PDCoV.
3. Literature Review:
- Development of a PEDv focused literature review that focuses on transmission, biosecurity interventions and elimination techniques.
Criteria for Approval
This RFP focuses on the priority Pathogen Management and Prevention with three priorities within this category. Submitters may submit proposals focused on one research priority or multiple if the study design effectively addresses more than one. Submitters must identify which research priority they are addressing in their proposal.
Proposals must directly address the research priority and subsequent category and knowledge gaps identified above. Submitters must submit proposals that are well written with a defined budget and robust study design that clearly addresses the research priorities.
Due Date
Research proposals for this RFP are due October 18, 2024.
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.
Funding Amount
There is $500,000 available for this RFP. Budgets for submitted proposals should not exceed this amount.
Applicants should not interpret the maximum allowable amount ($500,000) 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 and format and requirements. Please ensure your proposal format includes all required information, specifically under the budget section.
Questions?
For questions, please contact:
Marisa Rotolo, DVM, PHD
Director, Swine Health
National Pork Board
