The National Science Foundation Division of Integrative Organismal Systems awarded $876,250 to the University of California, Berkeley on October 1, 2025, under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) to develop epigenetic editing methods for crop improvement. The project, running through April 30, 2028 and performed at Berkeley, California, expands genome-editing capabilities to include epigenetic editing—modifying gene expression without changing DNA sequence—to enable novel agronomic trait development in crop plants. The research builds on recent work demonstrating that targeted DNA methylation of the MESWEET10A promoter in cassava can block pathogen-triggered gene expression and reduce disease symptoms. The award supports development of this immature technology platform, dissemination of epigenetic editing methods to the research and crop-improvement communities, and training of the next generation of scientists through integration with an existing undergraduate internship program and Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site activities. Project resources will be made publicly available. Epigenetic crop-improvement strategies are designed to complement existing biotechnology and breeding approaches and may help maintain crop yields under climate change conditions.