For decades, the U.S. Has led global efforts to alleviate food insecurity by providing multilateral support for agricultural development and international trade

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) received a $1.3 million Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions Program (CFDA 10.523), awarded September 15, 2025, with completion targeted for September 14, 2028. The Center of Excellence for Global Food Security and Defense (CEGFSD) leverages the collective capacity of 1890 land-grant institutions to deliver integrated teaching, research, extension, and applied projects addressing four strategic priorities: strengthening U.S. agricultural prosperity, addressing emerging animal and plant pests and diseases, building strong food systems, and developing a globally competent workforce. The center transforms research innovations and policy insights into actionable solutions for U.S. farmers, communities, and policymakers while supporting critical needs in global food security and defense.

UMES administers subawards to partner 1890 land-grant institutions, including Central State University ($150,000), Tennessee State University ($149,950), and Alcorn State University ($147,514), to support collaborative research, education, and extension activities that address food security challenges while advancing economic opportunities in underserved agricultural communities. Through these partnerships, the center delivers workforce development programming in science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics fields while providing technical assistance and research-driven solutions benefiting small farmers, ranchers, and historically underrepresented populations across multiple states.

Even though global food security has improved, many challenges persist. The global food system remains vulnerable to challenges posed by new pests and diseases, and external shocks. Thus, opportunities to alleviate the situation exist through enhancing agricultural productivity. Opportunities also exist to boost U.S. Agricultural trade; improve economic growth of rural communities through increased agricultural exports and underlying expansion of rural employment. The center of excellence for global food security and defense (CEGFSD) proposes to leverage the collective capacity of the 1890 partner institutions to address critical needs for economic growth with an emphasis on global food security and defense. The center will leverage global knowledge, partnerships, and research to advance the strategic economic and agricultural-focused priorities of the US. The center will transform research, innovations, and policy insights into actionable solutions for U.S. Farmers, communities, and policymakers. The center will fund teaching, research, extension, and integrated projects designed to supply the country with a globally educated workforce and support critical needs in the area of global food security and defense. More specifically, the CEGFSD will support projects that address the center's four broad goals as follows: 1) strengthen U.S. Agricultural prosperity; 2) address new and emerging animal and plant pests and diseases; 3) build strong food systems; and 4) fulfill the nation's needs for a globally competent workforce.