Application window now open for projects seeking funding through California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s Research and Alliance Grants programs, which have awarded over $27 million over last 20 years

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) announced that it is accepting grant applications for $1.9 million in available funding for integrated pest management (IPM) projects that support a statewide transition to sustainable pest management. The funding is available through DPR’s 2025 Research and Alliance Grants programs.

IPM is an approach to pest management that uses the least-toxic, most-effective method to solve pest problems. Sustainable pest management (SPM) builds on the existing practices of IPM to incorporate broadened considerations of human health and social equity, environmental protections, and economic viability in pest management decisions and practices through the state’s urban, agricultural and wildland settings.

"Pest management is essential to protecting public health, supporting stable, healthy food production, and maintaining our infrastructure," DPR Director Julie Henderson said. "Our grants fund innovative research into a broad range of safe, sustainable pest management alternatives and the outreach, practical training and support needed for their adoption.”

The 2025 Research and Alliance Grants programs are seeking projects that address one or more of the following priority topic areas:
IPM resources for underserved or disadvantaged communities or for small growing operations.

Decreasing the use of pesticides of high regulatory interest (including carcinogens, cholinesterase inhibitors, fumigants, groundwater contaminants, reproductive toxins and toxic air contaminants).

Tools, strategies and resources for IPM and sustainable pest management use in agricultural areas near school sites and urban settings.
Incorporating the sustainability pillars of broadened considerations of human health and social equity, environmental protections, and economic vitality as outlined in the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap.

In the past 20 years, DPR grant programs have awarded more than $27 million to over 105 projects that advance the use of IPM and expand adoption of more sustainable methods for managing pests to protect people and the environment. Previous Research and Alliance Grant projects include:

Developing an IPM apprenticeship program for urban pest management professionals.

Evaluating the use of stable antimicrobial peptides for control of Pierce’s disease and citrus greening disease.

Refining and promoting the use of a model IPM approach for affordable housing providers to control rodents and cockroaches.

The 2025 Research Grants Program will award projects up to three years in length that develop more sustainable pest management tools and practices to reduce the use of pesticides of high regulatory interest or otherwise decrease the impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment. Project budgets may range from $50,000 to $500,000. Research Grant applications will be accepted through Sept. 19, 2024.

The 2025 Alliance Grants Program will award projects up to three years in length that promote or increase sustainable pest management though the implementation, expansion and/or adoption of effective, proven and affordable IPM systems or practices. Project budgets may range from $50,000 to $400,000. Alliance Grant applications will be accepted through Nov. 21, 2024.

For more information on the Alliance Grants and Research Grants Programs, including how to apply, please visit DPR’s Grants website.
For more information about the state’s transition to sustainable pest management, visit DPR’s website Accelerating Sustainable Pest Management: A Roadmap for California.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF PESTICIDE REGULATION
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation's mission is to protect human health and the environment. The department achieves this mission by fostering safer, sustainable pest management and operating a robust pesticide regulatory system. DPR's work includes registering all pesticides sold or used in California, conducting pre- and post-registration scientific evaluations of pesticides to assess and mitigate potential harm to human health or the environment for pesticides in the air and water, and enforcing pesticide use laws and regulations in coordination with 55 County Agriculture Commissioners and their 500 field inspectors.

DPR also conducts outreach to ensure pesticide workers, farmworkers and local communities have access to pesticide safety information. More information about DPR can be found on our website.