Federal Cooperative Agreement Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $278,950 to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture for the period of June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025). This award provides annual infrastructure support to all National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 laboratories operated by the awardee. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture leverages its specialized laboratory facilities and scientific expertise to support APHIS's mission of protecting U.S. agriculture from economically injurious animal diseases and health threats.

The funded infrastructure supports the awardee's ongoing capacity to conduct critical animal health diagnostic services, including highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) testing and foreign animal disease surveillance activities. These laboratory services are essential components of the national animal health monitoring and biosecurity framework, enabling APHIS to maintain compliance with international agricultural trade requirements and respond to emerging disease threats. The cooperative agreement structure facilitates collaborative partnership between the federal agency and the state laboratory system to advance disease detection, prevention, and response capabilities across the NAHLN network.