USA
December 3, 2025

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture has invested $6.3 million in six projects that support the development of new information that will assist Federal regulatory agencies in making evidence-based decisions about the effects of genetically engineered organisms in the environment. The Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants (BRAG) program supports investigations of managed and natural environments across a wide breadth of organisms. BRAG is co-administered by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and jointly funded by USDA-NIFA, USDA-ARS, and USDA-Forest Service. 

Due to the interruption in program activities by the moratorium, it was not possible to issue an annual RFA, complete the programmatic review and recommendation activities, and obligate the authorized funding by September 30, 2025. Therefore, in adherence to the guidance issued on June 18, 2025, regarding Exemption to Annual Competitive Funding Opportunity Notice, the BRAG program ensured full obligation of FY25 one-year funds in lieu of the annual RFA by awarding proposals from the last competitive cycle (2024).  

2025 Awardees: 

• Iowa State University
• University of Tennessee
• University of Maryland
• University of Connecticut
• Rice University
• Washington State University. 

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Published: December 4, 2025