Cooperative Agreement AP24VSDB000C036

The University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. (UGA Research Foundation) was awarded a $106,300 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care Federal Grant Program (CFDA 10.025). The purpose of this agreement is to provide annual infrastructure support to all National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 laboratories. This funding will assist the UGA Research Foundation in meeting the responsibilities required of their designated NAHLN laboratory level, as outlined in the 2024 NAHLN participation agreement. The award aims to increase NAHLN capacity and capabilities to rapidly respond to adverse animal health events caused by emerging diseases or foreign animal diseases. Specifically, the funding will support quality management systems, laboratory information management systems, staffing expertise and proficiency, and equipment enhancements that directly improve testing outcomes and work product. This agreement is intended to benefit the overall NAHLN network and the American population by ensuring a rapid response to any adverse animal health incident.