MANHATTAN, Kan. — Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) is a disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes that infects pigs, horses and humans. In swine, this virus causes reproductive failure, delayed farrowing, stillbirths, mummified fetuses and weak piglets. While this virus has not been detected in the U.S., it is recently spreading, increasing the potential it could reach the U.S. To address this threat, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) are funding a $1 million Japanese Encephalitis Virus Research Program to enhance U.S. prevention, preparedness and response capabilities.

The program is soliciting proposals through April 15, 2024, to advance research on a range of priorities. SHIC and FFAR anticipate awarding several grants, each capped at $250,000, though proposals may exceed the cap if applicants provide sufficient justification. Matching funds are encouraged but not required. The SHIC website includes more information about application procedures, research priorities and the proposal template.

SHIC and FFAR are co-hosting an informational webinar Feb. 22, at 4 p.m. ET to provide additional details about the application criteria. Preregistration is required. A recording of the webinar will be available on FFAR’s website.

Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research

The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) builds public-private partnerships to fund bold research addressing big food and agriculture challenges. FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to increase public agriculture research investments, fill knowledge gaps and complement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research agenda. FFAR’s model matches federal funding from Congress with private funding, delivering a powerful return on taxpayer investment. Through collaboration and partnerships, FFAR advances actionable science benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment. 

Connect: @FoundationFAR

Swine Health Information Center

The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), launched in 2015 with Pork Checkoff funding, protects and enhances the health of the U.S. swine herd by minimizing the impact of emerging disease threats through preparedness, coordinated communications, global disease monitoring, analysis of swine health data and targeted research investments. As a conduit of information and research, SHIC encourages sharing of its publications and research. Forward, reprint and quote SHIC material freely. For more information, visit http://www.swinehealth.org or contact Dr. Megan Niederwerder at mniederwerder@swinehealth.org or Dr. Lisa Becton at [email protected].

–Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research
Swine Health Information Center

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