The research funding was approved by the boards of directors of both organisations, 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. 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 programme dates to the early 1960s when funds were first approved for poultry disease research. It gradually grew into an all-inclusive programme incorporating all phases of poultry and egg production and processing. Since the inception of the research programme, USPOULTRY has reinvested more than $31 million dollars into the industry in the form of research grants. More than 50 universities and federal and state facilities have received grants over the years.

“Research continues to be an important component of USPOULTRY's and the Foundation’s service to the industry. The Foundation Research Advisory Committee is the core of the research programme with committee members volunteering numerous hours reviewing and assessing research proposals before making recommendations for funding. We sincerely appreciate and value their excellent work,” said Tom Hensley, Fieldale Farms, Baldwin, Georgia and USPOULTRY chairman.

The research grants for each institution include:

Improving Cage Free Air Quality, Hen Welfare and Egg Quality with Artificial Turf and A Manure Removal System
Purdue University (research grant made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from Midwest Poultry Services)

Examining the Roles of Macrophages and Vascular Inflammation in Broiler White Striping
University of California - Davis (research grant made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from Simmons Foods)

Identifying the Contribution of Broiler Genetics on Gut Health and Immune Response When Challenged with Salmonella typhimurium
University of Maryland (research grant made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from Ingram Farms)

Investigating the Impact of Anthelmintic Resistance in Nematode Parasites of Poultry
University of Georgia (research grant made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from Wayne Farms LLC)

Response of Broilers Fed Phytase Enzymes of Different Optimal pH Ranges Alone or in Combination
Mississippi State University (research grant made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from Peco Foods)