Methods development: to generate and analyze data appropriate for antemortem test development and genomics analysis relevant to chronic wasting disease risk in mule deer and ELK.

Utah State University received a $428,318 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Wildlife Services program (CFDA 10.028), awarded September 30, 2025, with a completion date of September 29, 2026. The cooperative agreement supports methods development activities to generate and analyze data appropriate for antemortem test development and genomics analysis relevant to chronic wasting disease (CWD) risk assessment in mule deer and elk populations.

This award aligns with the Wildlife Services program's priority focus on reducing disease burden in wildlife species serving as reservoirs for zoonotic diseases. The funding enables USU to develop and refine diagnostic and analytical methodologies that will enhance the scientific capacity for CWD surveillance and risk evaluation in wild cervid populations, contributing to the agency's broader mission of wildlife disease management and evidence-based disease control strategies.