The U.S. Poultry & Egg Assn. (USPOULTRY) and the USPOULTRY Foundation have approved $350,000 for five new research grants at four institutions through the comprehensive research program.

The research funding was approved by the boards of directors of both organizations, based on recommendations from the Foundation Research Advisory Committee. The committee evaluates research proposals to determine their value to the industry and then makes recommendations to the boards for funding, the announcement said. Committee members are professional specialists from different segments of the poultry and egg industry who represent a variety of disciplines.

The association’s comprehensive research program dates back to the early 1960s, when funds were first approved for poultry disease research. It gradually grew into an all-inclusive program incorporating all phases of poultry and egg production and processing.

“Research is, and continues to be, a critical component of USPOULTRY's and the foundation’s service to the poultry industry. The Foundation Research Advisory Committee members volunteer many hours to review and evaluate research proposals before making recommendations for funding. We sincerely value and appreciate their work,” USPOULTRY chairman Greg Hinton with Rose Acre Farms said.

The research grants for each institution include:

USPOULTRY is an "all-feather association" progressively serving its poultry and egg members through research, education, communications and technical services. Founded in 1947, USPOULTRY is based in Tucker, Ga.