American Agricultural Security Research Act of 2025

The American Agricultural Security Research Act of 2025 would create and fund new federal programs to strengthen U.S. agricultural research, education, and protection against threats. It would require the Secretary of Agriculture to recognize at least one “center of excellence” for each specified area of focus (ranging from aquaculture and biosecurity to forestry, digital agriculture, and food quality) to carry out research, extension, and education. Host institutions would include eligible land-grant and related colleges and universities, with a goal of geographic diversity. Centers would operate for five-year terms (renewable once), not build new facilities with these funds, and would be subject to annual reporting on projects, funding, partnerships, and technology transfer. The bill also adds new focus areas (forest health/conservation and food safety/value-added agriculture) and expands host-institution eligibility and duties. In parallel, it creates an Agriculture and Food Protection Grant Program to fund competitive research and education activities aimed at protecting the food and agricultural system from chemical, biological, cybersecurity, bioterrorism, or other global catastrophic threats, with a five-year authorization of appropriations for each program year (FY2026–FY2030). Overall, the bill seeks to bolster agricultural innovation, workforce development, rural economic opportunities, and national biosafety and security.