USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation have approved four new Board Research Initiative topics for this year’s competition. The boards of directors for both organizations approved the research funding following recommendations from the Foundation Research Advisory Committee (FRAC). This committee assesses research proposals for their relevance to the industry and advises the boards on funding decisions. Its members are professionals from various segments of the poultry and egg industry, bringing diverse expertise to the evaluation process.

The Board Research Initiative (BRI) was established by the boards of USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation to address urgent challenges facing the poultry and egg industry. Operating alongside the Association’s longstanding research program, the BRI enhances the original program's impact and long-term success. Each year, the board selects key areas of research for focus, ensuring that the Initiative targets the most pressing needs of the industry.

This year’s BRI topics include:

• Improved Measures for Controlling Blackhead Disease in Turkeys and Chickens
• Combatting Turkey Coronavirus (TCV) in the Turkey Industry
• Refining Avian Metapneumovirus Vaccination Strategies for Improved Disease Management
• Advancing Knowledge and Management of Infectious Coryza in Layers

On Monday, Sept. 29, at 2 p.m. ET, the FRAC will host a Zoom webinar to provide an overview of the request for proposals (RFPs) related to the four BRI topics, as well as the process for submitting a preproposal. The webinar is open to all researchers interested in learning more about the RFPs for the four topics. The webinar will provide an opportunity to ask specific questions to the FRAC, and it will be recorded and made available afterward. The link can be accessed here.

Visit the USPOULTRY website for complete instructions to submit a preproposal.