All nahln level 1, level 2 and level 3 laboratories will receive annual infrastructure support from the USDA/aphis

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded a $256,300 Cooperative Agreement to Oregon State University (OSU) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care Federal Grant Program (CFDA 10.025). The purpose of this 1-year award, effective June 1, 2024, is to provide annual infrastructure support to all National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) Level 1, 2, and 3 laboratories. This funding will assist OSU's laboratory in meeting its designated responsibilities as a NAHLN participant, including enhancing quality management systems, laboratory information management systems, staffing expertise, and equipment capabilities. The goal is to increase overall NAHLN capacity and capabilities to enable a rapid response to any adverse animal health events caused by emerging diseases or foreign animal diseases, thereby benefiting the American population.

The purpose of this agreement is to assist the laboratory in meeting the responsibilities required of their designated level as outlined in the 2024 agreement for participation in the national animal health laboratory network (nahln). In addition, IT will support an overall increase in nahln capacity and capabilities to meet the needs faced during an adverse animal health event caused by the presence of an emerging disease or foreign animal disease. This will be accomplished by providing support for; quality management systems, laboratory information management systems to electronically submit testing data accurately and consistently, improving staffing expertise and proficiency, and enhancing equipment that will directly enhance work product, test outcomes, etc. This agreement will benefit the overall network as well as the american population by helping to ensure the rapid response to an adverse animal health event.