Department of Agriculture: Methyl Bromide Transition Program

The Methyl Bromide Transition program (MBT) addresses the immediate needs and the costs of transition that have resulted from the phase-out of the pesticide methyl bromide. Methyl bromide has been a pest and disease control tactic critical to pest management systems for decades for soilborne and postharvest pests. The program focuses on integrated commercial-scale research on methyl bromide alternatives and associated extension activity that will foster the adoption of these solutions. Projects should cover a broad range of new methodologies, technologies, systems, and strategies for controlling economically important pests for which methyl bromide has been the only effective pest control option. Research projects must address commodities with critical issues and include a focused economic analysis of the cost of implementing the transition on a commercial scale.

Applications may only be submitted by colleges and universities (as defined in section 1404 of the
National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 ( NARETPA)) (7
U.S.C. 3103) to the MBT Competitive Grants Program. Section 1404 of NARETPA was amended by section
7101 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) to define Hispanic- serving
Agricultural Colleges and Universities (HSACUs) and to include research foundations maintained by
eligible colleges or universities. Section 406(b) of AREERA (7 U.S.C. 7626), was amended by section
7206 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to add the 1994 Land-Grant Institutions
as eligible to apply for grants under this authority.

Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations
are necessary for the conduct of the project. Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the
application deadline may result in the application being excluded from consideration or, even
though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award.

Duplicate or Multiple Submissions – duplicate or multiple submissions are not allowed. NIFA will
disqualify both applications if an applicant submits duplicate or multiple submissions. For those
new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended
information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.

The methyl bromide transition program (MBT) addresses the immediate needs and the costs of transition that have resulted from the phase-out of the pesticide methyl bromide. Methyl bromide has been a pest and disease control tactic critical to pest management systems for decades for soilborne and postharvest pests. The program focuses on integrated commercial-scale research on methyl bromide alternatives and associated extension activity that will foster the adoption of these solutions. Projects should cover a broad range of new methodologies, technologies, systems, and strategies for controlling economically important pests for which methyl bromide has been the only effective pest control option. Research projects must address commodities with critical issues and include a focused economic analysis of the cost of implementing the transition on a commercial scale.