Proactive IPM Solutions Program
The Proactive IPM Solutions program is now accepting applications. Please subscribe to the email list if you would like to be notified of future RFPs.
| Action | Date |
|---|---|
| Request for proposals released | 10 March 2020 |
| First deadline to submit questions | 24 March 2020 |
| First answers to questions posted | 27 March 2020 |
| Second deadline to submit questions | 15 May 2020 |
| Second answers to questions posted | 21 May 2020 |
| Grant proposals due | 30 June 2020 |
| Proposal evaluation period | 1-31 July 2020 |
| Award announcement | 1 August 2020 |
| Project implementation | 1 November 2020 |
The goal of the Proactive IPM Solutions grant program is to anticipate which exotic pests are likely to arrive in California and to identify and test IPM strategies that can be rapidly implemented if the pests become established in California. CDFA is responsible for preventing and mitigating invasive pests in California. Techniques resulting from the Proactive IPM Solutions Program will allow for rapid deployment of future management plans.
New invasive pests can cause major problems for California's agricultural industries. The urgent need to control a new pest often leads to more frequent use of insecticides. This can disrupt integrated pest management (IPM) systems that have been in place and cause secondary pest outbreaks, leading to even more insecticide use and possibly decreasing profitability. At the same time, growers are under pressure from ever-tightening regulations and need to phase in new pest management methods in order to remain competitive. CDFA is responsible for preventing and mitigating invasive pests. Many pests which plague California's agricultural industry first become established through urban areas owing to global travel and unintentional import of exotic pests. CDFA expends considerable effort controlling pest outbreaks in urban areas before they can spread into agricultural regions. Because affected communities have become increasingly concerned about insecticide sprays, it has become difficult to employ standard synthetic chemicals to control pest infestations. There is need for selective, low risk chemical and biological options which may be used. These options and plans take years to develop, during which exotic pest populations may expand well beyond the initial infestation. The proactive approach allows for rapid deployment of new management plans.
Funding for this type of proactive pest management is awarded through a request for proposals. Links to current RFPs can be found in the Program Status section. Links to previous RFPs can be found in the Archives Section.