The cereals lab 's goal is to identify and discover novel genes or alleles for traits critical to crop adaptation under diverse environmental stresses, ensuring locally adapted cereal production to…

The Department of State awarded Kansas State University a $8 million Cooperative Agreement (SAQMMA26CA0039) on June 13, 2026, under the International Disaster and Humanitarian Response program (CFDA 19.045) to support the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Cereals. The Cereals Lab identifies and discovers novel genes or alleles for traits critical to crop adaptation under diverse environmental stresses, ensuring locally adapted cereal production to meet food security challenges. The award runs through June 12, 2028, with performance occurring in the United States.

Kansas State University, operating through Pre-Awards Services, leads a multi-institution research consortium. Sub-recipients include Clemson University (awarded August 7, 2026), Cornell University's Office of Sponsored Programs (August 4, 2026), Purdue University (July 30, 2026), University of Florida's Division of Sponsored Research (July 9, 2026), Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (July 2, 2026), Institut Senegalais De Recherches Agricoles in Senegal (August 6, 2026), and Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (July 9, 2026). Additional sub-awards were issued July 27 and July 9, 2026, without named sub-recipient detail in the source.

The consortium structure reflects the Cereals Lab's international scope. Domestic land-grant universities contribute crop genetics research, genomic screening, and laboratory services. ISRA and EIAR provide field-based crop evaluation, variety testing, and localized agronomic research in West Africa and East Africa, respectively, grounding trait discovery in regionally relevant production environments and supporting food security priorities aligned with U.S. foreign policy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The cereals lab 's goal is to identify and discover novel genes or alleles for traits critical to crop adaptation under diverse environmental stresses, ensuring locally adapted cereal production to meet food security challenges.