The Vet-LIRN Capacity-Building Project and Equipment Grants (U18), with funding opportunity number PAR-23-202, is a program by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) aimed at strengthening veterinary diagnostic laboratories within the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN). The initiative supports projects related to animal food safety, antimicrobial resistance, and other veterinary public health concerns, including equipment procurement and the development or adaptation of diagnostic methods. The program seeks to enhance the capacity of laboratories to address issues relevant to the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and to support short-term monitoring and surveillance efforts.

The grant program will fund up to 25 awards with an award ceiling of $2,500,000 and a minimum award of $225,000. The funding does not require cost-sharing, and eligible applicants include a broad range of entities such as public and private institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses, local governments, tribal governments, and small businesses. The program aligns with Vet-LIRN's priorities, including developing diagnostic tests, supporting equipment for emerging technologies, monitoring antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and contributing to One Health initiatives that address zoonotic diseases like COVID-19.

Applications are accepted until September 4, 2028, with a focus on projects that support the CVM mission and Vet-LIRN goals. Activities funded under this grant may include validation of testing methods, antimicrobial stewardship projects, and surveillance programs, including sequencing microbial isolates. The grant also allows for projects targeting novel diagnostic approaches and efforts to detect and address emerging animal health issues.

The FDA encourages proposals that align with the broader One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health considerations. For assistance or further information, applicants can contact Kimberly Pendleton at the FDA.