Request for USWBSI Project Pre-Proposals (RFP)

The following outlines the opportunities in this funding cycle, important dates and deadlines for the pre-proposal process, and key links for submissions. 

  USWBSI FY26 Open Opportunities by Project Category

Select the category that best aligns with your research project to learn more and determine specific submission requirements.

• Category 1 – Commodity-based and VDHR-Uniform Nursery Coordinated Projects
• Category 2 – FHB Integrated Management Coordinated Projects
• Category 3 – Research Area Individual Projects
• Category 4 – Special Project Opportunity - FHB Outreach

RFP Highlights

• New Funding Cycle: FY26 starts a new funding cycle for USWBSI projects. All PIs, including those currently funded, will need to complete all the requirements outlined in this RFP for consideration.
• LOIs Eliminated: Given delays in the release of the FY26 RFP, Letter of Intent (LOI) submissions and approval are no longer required. All categories are accepting pre-proposals.
• New Special Project Option in FHB Outreach. The USWBSI is seeking new special projects with an FHB outreach focus to bridge the gap between research and production practices to mitigate FHB, particularly with farmers who are new to FHB. The Special Project - Category 4 outlines the detailed requirements, if interested make sure to review carefully.
• FY26 Project Terms. Both 4-year and 2-year project pre-proposals are being accepted. Keep in mind, funding is contingent on federal appropriations each year and should not be assumed and is not guaranteed.
• IDC Limitation. As a reminder, the USWBSI adheres to an IDC limitation (10% of Total Federal Funds Awarded), see details in the Budget Justification Worksheet & Summary section.
• SBIR Fee Change. The SBIR calculation was removed from the budget template for PIs. The SBIR fee will continue to be assessed on all awards, but will be handled by the USWBSI NFO after budgets are submitted.
• Enhanced Pre-Proposal Submission Portal. The FY26 Submission Portal has been upgraded for an improved user experience. All pre-proposal submissions must use the online system.
• New CV/CPS Co-PI Upload! New this year, Co-PIs can login and upload their own materials for Lead PIs to easily add to their project pre-proposal submission. Notify your co-PIs to login to https://scabusa.org/submissions/ and simply upload their files on the main page (Lead PIs will select co-PI in the pre-proposal form and connect to uploaded CV/CPS forms).

Eligibility & Applicable Regulations

Eligibility requirements specify that funding of research grants can only be made to eligible principle investigators at land-grant colleges and universities in the U.S. or to USDA-ARS scientists. All awards (Assistance Listing CFDA No. 10.001) are subject to 2 CFR 200, Grant and Cooperative Agreement General Terms and Conditions (REE-453) as adopted by the USDA at 2 CFR Chapter IV, the USDA, Award Terms and Conditions Statutory and National Policy Requirements (C. Assurances), and compliance with all other terms and conditions mentioned in the award.

  Questions | Contact the NFO

If you have any questions regarding the pre-proposal process, please contact the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative's Networking and Facilitation Office (NFO) by phone at 517.290.5023 or e-mail at nfo@scabusa.org.

The USWBSI is a national multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional research consortium whose goal is to develop effective control measures that minimize the threat of Fusarium Head Blight (scab), including the production of mycotoxins, for producers, processors and consumers of wheat and barley. The USWBSI’s annual budget comes from Federal funds appropriated through the USDA-ARS and is currently distributed to 125 research projects in 31 states.