The National Watermelon Association remains committed to fostering practical, impactful research that addresses the evolving challenges and opportunities facing watermelon growers, shippers, and the broader supply chain.
This year’s RFP continues to prioritize applied research with a direct benefit to watermelon production, handling, and food safety. In particular, the NWA welcomes proposals in areas such as plant disease management, production efficiency, postharvest quality, labor solutions, and food safety technologies.
2026 NWA Research Grant Program
Timeline:
June: RFP issued to watermelon research community
August 31: Proposals DUE to NWA
September: Proposals shared with NWA Research Committee
October: NWA Executive Committee determines grant awards based on committee recommendations
November: Grant award winners announced
Priority Areas:
Fusarium wilt
Phytophthora capsici
New for 2026: application of labor reducing technology to harvest and pre-harvest activities, including (but not limited to) AI, robotics, machine learning, etc.
Additional concerns include:
Anthracnose
Downy Mildew
Cucumber Beetle
Spider Mite
Gummy Stem Blight
Virus/ rus vectors / vector control
Increasing vigor in early stage plants
Submission Requirements:
Each proposal should include:
Cover letter- including a brief review of the proposal and request for funding
Details of the project- including the objectives/goals for the project
Timeline- including
Start and end dates
Dates for project reports that will be submitted to the Association
Date that the Association will receive a final report with results
Note: Multi-year projects will be considered, but funding will only cover a single year.
Amount of money requested (for 2025 only)
A listing of all parties involved with the project, including Lead Investigator and any other researchers. If multiple research facilities are involved, provide contact information for each, and information on fund distribution where applicable.
Payment instructions: Specify to whom grant checks should be made payable and provide the complete mailing address for check delivery.
Addendum- a single page layman’s brief on what the project is designed to accomplish
Submit the proposal by email to george@nwawatermelon.com in a Word or PDF format by August 31, 2024.
Additional Recommendations
Additional consideration will be given to a proposal that has ‘matching’ funds, which will allow the investigator(s) the opportunity to expand the research beyond our budget capacity.
There is no limit (minimum or maximum) that a proposal may request. However, previous NWA grant awards typically range from $5,000-$25,000.
Our focus is to search for more immediate solutions to the most pressing pest & disease pressures – the biggest threats to yield, quality, profitability and sustainability.
Questions on the process should be sent by email to george@nwawatermelon.com
Additional requirements
Grant awardees may be asked to provide a 250 word layman’s brief of project accomplishments for publication in NWA’s quarterly magazine, the Vineline, for distribution electronically to NWA membership and the broader public. One or two pictures to go with the summary of accomplishments are encouraged.
Grant awardees are required to provide a midyear status update on their project, preferably in or around the month of June. This update does not need to be formal and can be submitted via email to the NWA.
Grant funding provided through this RFP is for direct project costs only and cannot be used for overhead or indirect expenses. Proposals including overhead costs will not be considered.
