FY26 Farmed Cervid Predictive Genetics Work Plan Template.docx

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0503-0028 Exp. Date:

October 2027

FARMED CERVID PREDICTIVE GENETICS MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL WORK PLAN TEMPLATE

Farmed Cervid Chronic Wasting Disease Management and Research Activities 2026:

White Tailed Deer Predictive Genetics Herd Management Proposal Work Plan Template Instructions The information requested in this template includes information required for all proposal “Work Plans” and includes specific sections exclusively for projects utilizing predictive genetics.

Applicants may submit more than one project proposal. Applicants who submit more than one proposal must submit each proposal as a separate proposal package that includes a separate Work Plan. Note: Applicants should submit a separate project proposal for activities not related to genetic herd management. Multiple proposals may be awarded to the same applicant.

This work plan addresses the funding priority to conduct novel research on, or implement, whole genome predictive genetics in farmed cervids in the 2026 Funding Opportunity. A description of the evaluation criteria that will be used to assess your proposal is described in Section E.1.

Applicants are encouraged to use this template. Please provide detailed information about the proposed project in the topic areas below. Write in narrative format where indicated and paste or type the appropriate information into each box. Expand boxes or add rows as needed. For those boxes where a word limit has been set, applicants can verify the number of words by selecting the box and referencing the word count in the lower left corner.

Work Plans using this template may not exceed twenty pages in 12-point font. The use of diagrams, visuals, and reference sheets, as well as any letters of collaboration from contributors will not count toward the twenty-page limitation. If a work plan exceeds the page limit the extra pages may not be considered.

Work Plans not using this template may not exceed ten pages in 12-point font. The use of diagrams, visuals, and reference sheets, as well as any letters of collaboration from contributors will not count toward the ten-page limitation. If a work plan exceeds the page limit the extra pages may not be considered.

Please note, ezFedGrants attachments are limited to PDF files only (no digital signature or fillable PDFs) and the total size of all attachments cannot exceed 20mb.

Template

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

Project Title [Insert State] farmed white-tailed deer herd management utilizing predictive genetics Name of Organization Submitting the Proposal

Type of Applicant Select the type of applicant from the list below:

☐State department of agriculture ☐State animal health agency ☐State department of wildlife or natural resources ☐Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments and Native American Tribal organizations or Universities representing Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments* ☐Research Institute** ☐University**

NOTES:

*For Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments, Native American Tribal organizations or universities representing Federally recognized Native American Tribal Governments, list the name(s) of the Indian Tribal entities as they appear on the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior; Indian Tribal Entities Recognized by and Eligible to Receive Services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs website. Native American Tribal organizations or Universities representing Federally recognized Native American Tribal Governments must attach letter(s) indicating intent to participate from the represented Federally recognized Native American Tribal government(s).

**Research institutes and universities must cooperate with and submit a letter of support from the farm cervid regulatory authority for the state(s) involved to have a management plan considered for funding.

Regulatory Compliance Statement Select one statement from the following:

Funding Priority Area Conduct additional research on, or implement, whole genome predictive genetics in farmed cervids and improve the management of CWD-affected farmed cervid herds.

Genetics and Testing Funding Requested

Each proposal should not exceed $250,000 in requested funds for personnel including accredited veterinarian fees, to purchase supplies (ear punches, formalin vials, disposable instruments, shipping, etc.), conduct white-tailed deer predictive genetics testing through NADR, and to conduct ante mortem rectal biopsy immunohistochemistry (RB) testing at a National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory with an approved deviation to test rectal biopsies (TX, WI, PA). NOTE: You must provide a letter indicating their intent to participate from the NAHLN laboratory or the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL). NVSL will be able to support a limited number of RB tests for states without NAHLN laboratories. Please contact aaron.d.lehmkuhl@usda.gov to explore RB testing at NVSL or to request a NAHLN laboratory deviation.

Indemnity Funding Requested

An eligible applicant may request additional funds in excess of $250,000 for the indemnification of white-tailed deer (WTD) as part of an overall predictive genetics management plan. Indemnity may be requested for WTD from chronic wasting disease (CWD)-positive, exposed, or trace herds with predictive genetics genomically estimated breeding value (GEBV) scores above -0.056, and animals that test positive for CWD via rectal biopsy. For mixed species herds, indemnity may also be requested for removal of exposed susceptible species that are not WTD (if this is the case it must be added as another objective and an estimated number of animals provided). The use of indemnity funds and animal valuation must follow the standard USDA APHIS VS indemnity guidelines (9 CFR 55 and Chronic Wasting Disease Program Standards 2019).

Period of Performance Enter proposed project start date (on or before September 30, 2026) and end date (not to exceed 12 months).

Submitting Organization’s Principal Investigator/Program Manager Primary point of contact for programmatic administration of the cooperative agreement.

Name

Title

Phone

Email

Submitting Organization’s Financial Point of Contact Primary point of contact for financial administration of the cooperative agreement.

Name

Title

Phone

Email

Contributors Name, title, organization, phone number, and email of co-investigators or other lead technical experts. Add rows as needed.

Other Proposals Submitted to These Opportunities If submitting multiple proposals to either the Veterinary Services (VS) 2026 Farmed Cervid CWD Funding Opportunity, the Wildlife Services (WS) 2026 Wild Cervid CWD Funding Opportunity, or the WS 2026 Tribal Nations Wild Cervid CWD Funding Opportunity, list all other submissions in the table below.

II. PROJECT GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND NEED FOR ASSISTANCE

Objectives Below are the specific objectives whole herd predictive genetics projects must accomplish. *Additional objectives can be added to the project table below, changing or removing objectives may impact our ability to fund the proposal.

Critical Relevant Need or Problem Requiring Solution Describe in 100 words or less. (The text below may be used meet this requirement, if desired additional information may be added in the box to better reflect the situation.)

There can be insufficient indemnity or owner desire to remove entire CWD-positive, exposed, or trace WTD herds. Therefore, a strategy is needed to minimize the risk and prevalence of CWD in these herds. This can be accomplished by identifying and removing deer positive for CWD and deer highly susceptible to CWD.

Number of Herds and animals, and status of a genetic-based herd plan List the number of herds and deer to be included in this project and the number that have signed genetic-based herd plans or herd plan amendments.

Number of HCP* herds

Number non-HCP herds

Number of WTD in HCP herds

Number of WTD in non-HCP herds

* Includes herds that were enrolled in the HCP at the time the positive was detected.

**Project participation explanation Please provide an explanation below of how you determined the number of additional herds that will participate and your basis for believing they will participate.

Expected Impact and Value Describe in 100 words or less the anticipated impact and value that this project will provide in the selected priority area(s) from the Funding Opportunity Announcement. (The text below may be used meet this requirement, if desired additional information may be added in the box to better reflect the situation.)

Removing CWD positive WTD and those with poor predictive genetics scores in positive, exposed, and trace herds under quarantine reduces the number of CWD positive and highly susceptible animals on the landscape and provides states with a herd management tool. In turn, this approach reduces CWD environmental contamination and the probability of a herd becoming CWD positive in the future.

III. APPROACH

Outcomes/Deliverables Minimal outcomes/deliverables that demonstrates successful completion of each objective have been provided below. Additional outcomes/deliverables may be included. Identify in which quarter of the project each part of the objective is expected to begin and end. Add rows as needed.

Objective 1: Incorporate the predictive genetics management into the herd plan/s of participating CWD-positive, exposed, or trace herds.

1.2

Objective 2: Determine the susceptibility (based on predictive genetics) for all animals in participating CWD-positive, exposed, or trace herds.

2.2

Objective 3: Conduct ante mortem IHC rectal biopsy testing on all deer over 12 months of age in participating CWD-positive, exposed, or trace herd/s.

3.2

Objective 4: Depopulate all deer positive for CWD and all deer that are found to be highly susceptible (GEVB >-0.056) to CWD.

4.2

Objective 5: Only use bucks, or semen from bucks, that score below the GEBV cut off value

5.2

Activities or Methods A detailed description of proposed activities or methods have been provided below for each objective. Include any additional applicable protocols, standards that will be met, or other supporting information. Add rows as needed.

Activities or Methods for Each Outcome/Deliverable

Objective 1- Incorporate the predictive genetics management into the herd plan/s of participating CWD-positive, exposed, or trace herds.

1.2

Objective 2- Determine the susceptibility (based on predictive genetics) for all animals in participating CWD-positive, exposed, or trace herds.

Objective 3- Conduct ante mortem IHC rectal biopsy testing on all deer over 12 months of age in participating CWD-positive, exposed, or trace herd/s.

Objective 4- Depopulate all deer positive for CWD and all deer that are found to be highly susceptible to CWD.

Objective 5- Only use bucks, or semen from bucks, that score below the GEBV cut off value

5.2

Additional Contributors List organizations, cooperators, consultants, or other key individuals, in addition to those listed in Section I, who will contribute to the project. This may include, but is not limited to, land grant or other universities; State or national livestock, wildlife, sportsmen, or conservation organizations with direct and significant interest in the control of CWD; or a federal agency. NOTE: cooperating Federal agencies can’t be reimbursed for their contributions from the APHIS VS share since this cooperative agreement will be awarded across fiscal years. A letter of collaboration from each contributor should be uploaded separately from the Work Plan as attachments.

Need for APHIS Assistance Describe any support needed from APHIS to accomplish the project objectives, such as help from APHIS VS subject matter experts. Include a description of the quantity or duration of the need for assistance. Add rows as needed.

Qualifications and Relevant Experience of the Principal Investigator/Program Manager and Lead Technical Experts Present the qualifications of the lead technical experts and other key personnel indicating their qualifications, skills, abilities, and experience to successfully achieve the objectives, conduct the proposed methods or activities, and produce a successful outcome. Applicants may attach this information in separate documents instead of listing it here. Add additional rows as needed.

Name and Title

Organization

Role in this project

Qualifications and Relevant Experience (If submitting a research proposal include relevant publications)

Potential Problems and Anticipated Solutions Describe any factors that may negatively impact the project (potential problems) and how these factors might be mitigated to reduce risks (anticipated solutions). Be sure to address any situations that may cause a delay in the project schedule, resulting in objectives not being completed in the proposed period of performance.

IV. PERFORMANCE METHODS AND CRITERIA

Quantitative and Qualitative Project Evaluation Methods and Criteria for Success

the Criteria Used to Measure Success

Objective 1- Incorporate predictive genetics management into the herd plan/s of participating CWD-positive, exposed, or trace herds under quarantine.

All participating CWD-positive, exposed, or trace herds under quarantine have a herd plan with the predictive genetics plan included or as an amendment.

Objective 2- Determine the susceptibility (based on predictive genetics) for all animals in participating CWD-positive, exposed, or trace herds.

Receipt of predictive genetics GEVB scores for all animals in the participating herds.

Objective 3- Conduct ante mortem IHC rectal biopsy testing on all deer over 12 months of age in participating CWD-positive, exposed, or trace herds.

Usable IHC rectal biopsy results from official reports that show the CWD ante mortem testing result.

Objective 4- Depopulate all deer positive for CWD and all deer that are found to be highly susceptible to CWD.

Removal of CWD positive and highly susceptible deer from participating herds.

Objective 5- Only use bucks, or semen from bucks, that score below the GEBV cut off value

Selective breeding in the herd that optimizes the use of the GEBV scores to improve score of offspring.

Overall Project

The removal of CWD positive and highly susceptible deer from CWD-positive, exposed, and trace herds.

Information Management Discuss the management of test and genetic information collected during the project, including a description of how this information or data will be shared and maintained.

Knowledge Transfer Describe in 100 words or less. (The text below may be used meet this requirement, if desired additional information may be added in the box to better reflect the situation.)

Recipient will provide a summary and other information that is likely to be of interest at the annual CWD Cooperative Agreement Stakeholder meeting by herd including: the number WTD tested (rectal biopsy and separately predictive genetics), the number of CWD positive by rectal biopsy, the number of highly susceptible deer identified, the number depopulated, and the IHC results on obex and RPLN for animals that were depopulated or died linked with their predictive genetics score and rectal biopsy result.

V. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A concise executive summary of no more than 500 words is required for all projects.[footnoteRef:1] If the executive summary exceeds 500 words, only the first 500 words will be used. [1: If the project is funded, recipients can expect that this executive summary will be used in its entirety or in part for media purposes including press releases or program reports, and to provide upper echelons of government with a snapshot of the project.]

Executive Summary (The text below may be used to meet this requirement, if desired additional information may be added in the box to better reflect the situation.)

This project provides a CWD herd management option for CWD-positive, exposed, and trace WTD herds when indemnity is not available for whole herd depopulation, or an owner does not wish to depopulate their herd. This option removes CWD positive deer identified by ante mortem IHC rectal biopsy, and deer that are highly susceptible to CWD as identified via their predictive genetics GEBV score. Removing positive animals helps reduce environmental contamination and may limit spread of CWD particularly when coupled with predictive genetics. Whole genome predictive genetics (Seabury et. al. 2020) can identify deer or elk that are highly susceptible to CWD so they can be removed from a herd reducing CWD prevalence in positive herds and reducing or eliminating the introduction of CWD into other herds or spreading to wild deer across the fence line. This approach provides states an option other than whole herd depopulation to help manage the incidence of CWD in farmed deer. As part of this project approximately (insert number) deer and (insert number) elk will have their GEBV scores determined and will be antemortem tested for CWD any that are CWD positive or above the GEBV cutoff will be indemnified and depopulated (estimated number ??).

VI. BUDGET JUSTIFICATION

All costs must be reasonable and necessary to complete the project objectives and budget requests should reflect a good use of existing resources. Information provided in this section must align with the cost guidance outlined in Section B.1 and support the information provided in the project’s Financial Plan. Specific and detailed justification for each budget category is required.

Funding Requested For each of the objectives listed in Section II, provide the total amount of funding requested.

Objective 1

Objective 2

Objective 3

Objective 4

Objective 5

Total

Personnel Funded by the Project Describe all personnel who will be paid by the project for each objective, including the number of people and the number of hours for each position. Include a short description of the title or type of personnel needed and what they will do (purpose or role). If the personnel name is not yet known, list as Technician 1, Trainer 2, or similar. Add rows as needed.

Objective 1

Objective 2

Objective 3

Objective 4

Objective 5

Fringe Benefits Provide the fringe benefit rate and a description of what the rate includes for each of the personnel listed in the table above. Fringe benefits may include health/life insurance, leave, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, retirement, social security, pensions, etc.

Objective 1

Objective 2

Objective 3

Objective 4

Objective 5

Travel Describe both local and out of state travel needed to accomplish each objective, including details for each traveler. Identify the objective(s) where the travel is needed and number of trips to achieve the objective(s). If a traveler name is not yet known, list as Person 1, Trainer 2, or similar. For local travel (no overnight stay), indicate “0” for number of nights of lodging. For means of travel, describe transportation type (air, GOV for government owned vehicle, etc.). Add rows as needed.

Equipment Describe the type, purpose, and quantity of equipment having a per unit value greater than $10,000 needed to accomplish the project. Identify the objective(s) where the equipment will be used. Recipient procurements must be in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200.317 or 2 CFR Part 200.318, as applicable. Add rows as needed.

Describe how will each type of equipment be disposed of or utilized after the period of performance.

Supplies Describe the type, purpose, and quantity of consumable supplies needed to accomplish the project objectives. Identify the objective(s) where the supplies will be used. Recipient procurements must be in accordance with 2 CFR Part 200.317 or 2 CFR Part 200.318, as applicable. Add rows as needed.

Describe how unused supplies totaling more than $10,000 would be disposed of or utilized after the period of performance.

Contracts/Sub-Agreements Describe contracts and/or sub-agreements to be awarded by the recipient to accomplish the project objectives, including specific details about what the contract or sub-agreement will provide to the project. Include the objective(s) where the contract and/or sub-agreement is needed. Add rows as needed.

Other Costs Describe and provide justification for all other costs listed in the Financial Plan. Add rows as needed.

In-Kind Contributions to the Project Describe in-kind contributions that the submitting organization will provide to each objective. Type of contribution may include personnel, facilities, equipment, event space, travel, and other items that will assist in completing the project outcomes or deliverables. Add rows as needed.

VII. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Supporting Documents List any supporting documents (e.g., articles, reports, testimonies from concerned interests other than the applicant, preliminary data from other ongoing or planned studies, letters of collaboration) supporting the need for the project. When referring to specific documents from this list in the proposal Work Plan, applicants may refer to documents from this list using a numbered format. Upload these documents separately from the proposal Work Plan. If being submitted as a research proposal by a university or research institution must include documentation such as peer-reviewed publications and/or technical reports demonstrating the qualifications of the principal investigator to manage the study.

List of Supporting Documents