Southern IPM Grants
The 2027 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is now open and closes on November 20, 2026 at 5pm Eastern.
Our annual competitive grants program, Southern IPM Grants, addresses food security challenges including invasive species, endangered species, pest resistance, and impacts resulting from regulatory actions. We use a competitive process to select process for funding. Funding is outcome based.
All projects must further the SIPMC mission to foster development and adoption of IPM, an approach to managing pests in ways that generate economic, environmental, and human health benefits.
The priorities for this grant are stakeholder-identified and based on the IPM Road Map
Timeline
2027 NOFO
General Timeline
The NOFO for the Southern IPM Grants opens in October and close in November of each year, and are awarded on an annual basis (contingent on continued federal funding).
The review panel for Southern IPM Grants is held in mid January to make decisions regarding the funding of proposals. Applicants will be notified in a timely manner so projects can begin on March 1, 2027, pending USDA-NIFA approval.
Funding
Categories
- Seed Projects
- Capstone Projects
- Working Groups
Amounts
Targeted total funding for all projects is $200,000 per project year. Individual projects are limited to $40,000.
NOFO Planning
NOFO Planning
We recommend reading through the entire NOFO before beginning your planning and to give yourself ample time to enter your information into our online grant management system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
May graduate students or postdoctoral researchers apply?
Students and postdoctoral researchers may participate in a project, but someone with PI eligibility at the submitting institution—such as a faculty advisor—must serve as the project director.
May an international student be supported by the grant?
International students may participate in funded projects. The submitting institution is responsible for confirming that the student may be paid from the grant under applicable USDA requirements, immigration rules, and institutional policies.
Are stakeholder letters required?
Yes, at least one letter of support from stakeholders is required, but more are encouraged. Letters of support from stakeholders; individuals or organizations supporting the project such as growers, industry or commodity associations, etc. are highly encouraged.
May collaborators outside the Southern region participate?
Collaborators from outside the region may participate when their involvement contributes to addressing a Southern regional IPM need. The proposal should clearly explain their role and the benefit to the Southern region. The project director must be based in the Southern region, and most project funds must be spent within the region.
Can a PI submit more than one proposal?
Yes. However, applicants should submit multiple proposals only when each proposal is distinct, complete, and competitive.
When will applicants be notified?
The review panel is expected to meet in January. Applicants will be notified after funding decisions have been completed.
Where are proposals submitted?
Proposals must be submitted through the Regional IPM Centers’ online Grant Management System. Applicants should allow sufficient time to create an account, enter the required information, upload attachments, and submit the proposal before the deadline.
Helpful Webinars
2027 Southern IPM Grants Listening Session
During this webinar, Center staff outline the Southern IPM Grants NOFO for 2027. There will also be time for questions at the end of the presentation. Other items included in the webinar:
- General walkthrough of the NOFO and expectations
- Types of projects
- Funding amounts
- Changes to and reorganization of the NOFO
- Changes to scoring rubric criteria
- Q&A
Opportunities from the Southern IPM Center
Original Webinar Date: August 28, 2024
An in-depth webinar about the Southern IPM Center, and the opportunities that we offer including:
-Southern IPM Grants
-Friends of IPM Awards
-Pest Management Strategic Plan Workshops
-IPM Ambassador Travel Grants
-Connect – A New Networking Tool
-Services in Evaluation, Communication, and Technology, at no cost to you
Working Groups Formation, Funding, and Momentum
Original Webinar Date: September 7, 2023
Working group leaders Ash Sial (UGA) and Rebecca Melanson (Mississippi State) cover important topics such as how to form a working group, where to find funding, and how to keep the momentum going.
IPMers ASSEMBLE! Get your Grant Proposal Ready
Original Webinar Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2022
This webinar describes Center-offered services to help with writing Southern IPM Grant proposals and manage projects! These services include technology, communication and evaluation. During the seminar you will get some tips and tricks to build your logic model. The seminar will also include a Q&A session.
The Regional IPM Centers are supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture through agreement 2022-70006-38002. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. government determination or policy.
SIPMC coordinates, enhances and facilitates the flow of IPM resources and information regionally with activities including grants management, data acquisition and sharing, and infrastructure development.