Federal Grant Award Summary

Florida A&M University's Division of Research received a $500,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the 1890 Institution Capacity Building Grants program (CFDA 10.216), awarded February 1, 2026, with completion targeted for January 31, 2029. The award supports research to develop an integrated framework for understanding grapevine biotic stress tolerance mechanisms in response to ripe rot fungal disease (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides), a significant threat to grape production in the southeastern United States. This research will advance knowledge of plant defense pathways, particularly the role of salicylic acid and jasmonic acid signaling in resistant muscadine grapevine genotypes, with the ultimate goal of identifying alternative disease management strategies to reduce reliance on chemical fungicide applications.

The project addresses a critical agricultural challenge by building upon preliminary findings demonstrating that certain muscadine grapevine genotypes exhibit natural resistance to ripe rot through comprehensive defense mechanisms. Research outcomes will contribute to the development of sustainable disease mitigation approaches and support workforce development in agricultural biotechnology at a historically Black land-grant institution, aligning with the 1890 Institution Capacity Building Grants program's emphasis on strengthening research and teaching capacity in food and agricultural sciences.