Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Kentucky Research Foundation received a $300,000 project grant awarded April 1, 2026, through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program (CFDA 10.310), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The two-year research project, concluding March 31, 2028, focuses on developing non-antibiotic treatments for Rhodococcus equi-induced foal pneumonia, a significant health and economic problem in equine agriculture. The research team will evaluate newly identified small molecule compounds to determine their safety and efficacy in preventing bacterial infection of equine lung immune cells while characterizing their capacity to support healthy immune responses.

Deliverables from this project will include characterization of lead candidate compounds for inhibiting R. equi growth and supporting immune function, providing the scientific foundation necessary to advance promising candidates toward clinical development and veterinary use. By identifying viable non-antibiotic treatment alternatives, the research supports broader agricultural objectives including reduced antibiotic dependency in livestock, mitigation of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial strains, and improved health outcomes for foals on horse farms. The work conducted at the University of Kentucky's Lexington, Kentucky facility aligns with AFRI's animal health and production priority area and addresses critical gaps in equine disease management.