REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on Wednesday announced the launch of the New World Screwworm (NWS) Grand Challenge to help combat and prevent the pest from spreading farther north.

"This is a strategic investment in America's farmers and ranchers and is an important action to ensure the safety and future success of our food supply, which is essential to our national security," Rollins said in a news release. "These are the kinds of innovations that will help us stay ahead of this pest and protect our food supply and our economy, protecting the way of life of our ranchers and go towards rebuilding our cattle herd to lower consumer prices on grocery store shelves.

"We know we have tried-and-true tools and methods to defeat this pest, but we must constantly look for new and better methods and innovate our way to success. Together, through science, innovation, and collaboration, we can ensure we're utilizing the latest tools and technology to combat NWS in Mexico and Central America and keep it out of the United States."

The Grand Challenge is part of USDA's comprehensive five-pronged plan that was announced in the summer of 2025 to move the U.S. toward readiness and response to NWS. The pest was eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s. Cases have gradually moved up through Mexico since November 2024, with the closest case being 70 miles from the U.S. border.

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will make up to $100 million available through the Grand Challenge to support innovative projects that enhance sterile NWS fly production, strengthen preparedness and response strategies, and safeguard U.S. agriculture, animal health, and trade.

This comes after the summer 2025 USDA investments of $8.5 million in a sterile fly distribution facility at the Moore Airfield Base in south Texas and $750 million to construct a sterile fly production facility at the same location.

APHIS is seeking proposals to support one or more of the following objectives: enhance sterile NWS fly production, develop novel NWS traps and lures, develop and increase understanding of NWS therapeutics and treatments for animals, and develop other tools to bolster preparedness or response to NWS.

Information on applying for the NWS Grand Challenge can be found at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/….

The deadline to submit proposals to help with these priorities is Feb. 23, 2026.

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

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