FAQ: USDA’s New Research and Development Priorities 2026
02 January 2026, US: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced a new set of research and development priorities to guide publicly funded agricultural science in the coming years. Formalised through a Secretary’s Memorandum signed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, the agenda is designed to strengthen national security, enhance agricultural competitiveness, and support farmers, ranchers, and consumers.
The updated framework focuses on five key themes: precision nutrition and food quality, farm profitability, market expansion, biosecurity against invasive species, and soil health for long-term productivity. These areas are intended to align research efforts with real-world challenges—including input costs, market volatility, biosecurity threats, and land resource sustainability.
The USDA states that the goal is to support innovation that delivers practical value to food systems while strengthening domestic and international market positions. With an emphasis on soil health and precision nutrition, the priorities reflect a shift toward long-term resilience in both production and consumption patterns.
Q1. What has the USDA announced?
On 31 December 2025, the USDA announced a new strategic direction for research and development investments. These priorities will influence funding decisions and program planning starting in 2026 and beyond.
Q2. Why has this change been introduced now?
The shift responds to production and market pressures observed in 2024–2025, including profitability challenges, trade constraints, invasive species risks, and soil degradation trends. The updated focus is designed to shape federal research investment from 2026 onward.
Q3. What role does precision nutrition play in the agenda?
Precision nutrition research, beginning with projects initiated from 2026, will examine individual dietary responses and food quality enhancement. The goal is to support personalised dietary guidance and increase demand for nutrient-focused agricultural products.
Q4. How will farmers and ranchers benefit?
Between 2026–2030, the USDA plans to prioritise technologies and practices that reduce input costs, improve mechanisation, expand export potential, and address biological threats. Soil health research is expected to build long-term land productivity across generations.
Q5. What is being done to expand markets for U.S. products?
Research activities from 2026 will target international market access, sanitary and phytosanitary data to resolve trade barriers, and new biobased and bioenergy applications to diversify utilisation pathways over the coming years.
Q6. How is soil health included in the plan?
Starting in 2026, soil health research will focus on regeneration, water-use efficiency, and input management. This includes long-term studies expected to support sustainable production through the late 2020s and early 2030s.
Q7. Are invasive species a priority?
Yes. The memorandum identifies threats such as citrus greening, avian influenza, Spotted Lanternfly, and New World Screwworm as active priorities for the 2026 USDA research cycle and subsequent years.
Q8. Will these priorities impact policy or only research?
While the memorandum is focused on research (effective from 31 December 2025), outcomes may influence USDA program structures and policy directions during 2026–2027.
Q9. When will the new research projects begin?
Alignment begins immediately, with the first funding cycles and project approvals expected from early 2026.
Q10. Who can participate or apply for funding?
Universities, research institutions, private sector entities, producer groups, and innovation organisations may apply when USDA programs open in 2026, depending on eligibility criteria.
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