The National Deer Association (NDA) praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for awarding more than $11 million to strengthen efforts to combat chronic wasting disease (CWD).
“We thank APHIS for directing funding to projects that will deliver real benefits to wild deer and the people who care deeply about their future,” said NDA President and CEO Nick Pinizzotto. “These investments help strengthen state and Tribal capacity, accelerate research on diagnostic tools, and advance management practices that are essential in the fight against this unrelenting disease.
“We look forward to the return of a competitive funding process in 2026 and the opportunity it provides to ensure the most innovative and impactful projects continue to receive support,” said Pinizzotto.
This year’s funding included $5.9 million for wild cervid activities and $5.3 million for farmed cervid activities with investments supporting state wildlife agencies, Tribal governments, universities, and research institutions. The allocations are helping advance diagnostics (including development of more reliable live-deer test), implement best management practices, improve and increase surveillance, and conduct depopulations of infected facilities to mitigate the threat of CWD spreading. These funds were authorized by the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act of 2022, which NDA was heavily involved with advancing.
NDA has long recognized CWD as the greatest threat to the future of wild deer and deer hunting. The association continues to work alongside state and federal agencies, Tribal governments, research partners, and hunters to advance science-based solutions and raise awareness about the disease.
APHIS funding builds on prior federal investments that have supported research into CWD susceptibility, carcass disposal strategies, herd depopulation where necessary, and expanded public education campaigns. This year’s awards will help maintain and expand this important body of work. You can find a complete list of funding awards for both wild and captive deer interests here.