On January 21, 2026, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the launch of a $100 million Grand Challenge to combat the spread of the New World screwworm from Mexico into the United States. The initiative aims to protect the nation's livestock, economy, and food security through science-based innovation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a bold call for innovation with the launch of the New World Screwworm (NWS) Grand Challenge, backed by $100 million in funding to prevent the destructive livestock parasite from entering the United States.

Announced by Secretary Brooke Rollins on January 21, the initiative comes as screwworm outbreaks have advanced northward through Mexico, with the nearest case just 70 miles from the U.S. border. Once eradicated in the U.S. in the 1960s, the pest has reemerged since 2024 in Central America, posing an urgent threat to cattle herds, animal health, and trade stability.

"This is a strategic investment in America's farmers and ranchers," Rollins said. "It's essential for protecting our food supply, lowering grocery prices, and maintaining national security."

Administered by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the challenge invites proposals that support:

• Scaling sterile NWS fly production for biological control

• Developing new NWS traps and lures for early detection

• Advancing animal treatments and therapeutics for NWS wounds

• Creating new tools to improve outbreak preparedness and response

The Grand Challenge is part of a five-pronged USDA biosecurity strategy launched in 2025. Last year, USDA invested $8.5 million into a sterile fly distribution hub and $750 million to build a production facility, both at Moore Airfield Base in South Texas.

Proposal submissions are due by February 23, 2026.

The screwworm's larvae feed on living tissue in open wounds, causing immense suffering and death if untreated. Infiltration into U.S. herds could trigger massive economic losses, restrictions on livestock exports, and increased veterinary and production costs for producers.

By investing in cutting-edge science and cross-sector collaboration, USDA hopes to stay ahead of the pest and preserve the resilience of the U.S. livestock system, especially as the cattle industry focuses on rebuilding herds and stabilizing beef prices.