Business & Finance
USDA shifts cyclospora research following congressional funding cuts and staff departures
Two projects were defunded while a third faces relocation to Iowa as foodborne illness cases rise nationwide.
The short version
- The USDA is closing two cyclospora research projects after Congress omitted funding for them in the fiscal year 2026 budget.
- A third funded project is slated to relocate from Maryland to Iowa, but all assigned scientists have reportedly declined to move.
- The shifts come during a major outbreak, with the CDC recording over 17,000 confirmed cyclosporiasis cases across 48 states and Washington, D.C.
Key facts
- Congress did not appropriate funding for two cyclospora research projects at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center for the 2026 fiscal year.[The Guardian]
- A third funded cyclospora research project is scheduled to move from Maryland to Iowa as part of a USDA reorganization.[The Guardian]
- All scientists currently working on the third project have declined to relocate to Iowa, with several researchers retiring or leaving the Agricultural Research Service.[The Guardian]
- The CDC recorded more than 17,000 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis between May 1 and August 24, with nearly 12,000 additional cases pending investigation.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- While a USDA spokesperson claims research will continue without disruption, internal sources and media reports indicate that scientist departures and relocations are impeding ongoing work.[The Guardian]
Sources
- USDA reportedly shelves cyclospora research amid relocations and fund cutsThe Guardian - World