Cooperative Agreement AP23VSDB000C044

The University of Connecticut received a $287,870 cooperative agreement award from the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service under the agency's Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care federal grant program (CFDA 10.025). The purpose of this award is to assist the University in meeting its responsibilities as a designated laboratory under the 2023 National Animal Health Laboratory Network agreement. Funding will support increasing the Network's testing capacity and capabilities to respond to adverse animal health events caused by emerging or foreign animal diseases. Specifically, the University will enhance quality management systems, laboratory information management systems, staff expertise and proficiency, equipment, and limited facility projects to directly improve work product and test outcomes. This award will benefit both the laboratory Network and American public by helping to ensure rapid response capabilities for any adverse animal health incidents. The period of performance is June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024.