NIFA requests pre-applications for the ECDRE program to address priorities identified by the Citrus Disease Sub-committee (CDS) of the National Agricultural Research, Education, Extension and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board through projects that integrate research and extension activities and use systems-based, trans-disciplinary approaches to provide solutions to U.S. citrus growers.
 
The overarching goals and desired outcomes for the ECDRE program are:

• To combat Huanglongbing (HLB) and its disease complex in order to continue to be able to farm citrus in a financially sustainable way through collaborative approaches and knowledge;
• Transition from component-focused research to deploying research outcomes and conclusions on farms; and
• Encourage research teams to bring knowledge together to find grower solutions to combat and prevent HLB infection.  

The ECDRE program will address these needs through the promotion of collaboration, open communication, the exchange of information, and the development of resources that accelerate application of scientific discovery and technology to farm-level solutions for HLB.

The ECDRE program is prioritizing Coordinated Network Projects. Coordination Network (CN) project(s) facilitate greater sharing of HLB research results nationally, at the state level, and internationally. The goals of the CN(s) would be to develop and support resources for data collection and management, develop tools for evaluation of progress and assess the effectiveness of research and extension efforts, and help identify priority research and extension needs. Note that NIFA strongly encourages applicants to develop CN projects and expects to support at least one such project in FY 2022.