Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of Florida received a $615,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) (CFDA 10.310), effective February 1, 2026 through January 31, 2029. The award supports research to identify uterine molecules produced by cows that enhance embryo survival and viability. The research employs a two-phase approach: first identifying maternal molecules that increase measurable embryo survival markers, and second, treating cultured embryos with these molecules and transferring them into cows to verify whether the maternal molecules increase pregnancy establishment and embryo survival to term.

The anticipated deliverables include identification of one or more fertility-enhancing molecules that can be applied to cultured embryos used in genetic selection programs, thereby improving pregnancy rates when embryos are transferred to recipient cows. Long-term applications include developing methods to administer these fertility-enhancing molecules directly to cows following natural mating or artificial insemination. The research directly addresses the productivity bottleneck of reduced fertility in beef and dairy cattle production, offering producers improved calf weaning weights and milk production through enhanced reproductive success.