I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 6780 
To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 
to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish research centers of 
excellence for alternative protein innovation, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 17, 2025 
Ms. BROWNLEY (for herself, Mr. KHANNA, Mr. MULLIN, Mr. LIEU, Ms. 
TOKUDA, and Mr. GARCIA of California) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to 
the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade 
Act of 1990 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to 
establish research centers of excellence for alternative 
protein innovation, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Producing Real Oppor-
tunities for Technology and Entrepreneurs Investing in 
Nutrition Act’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:53 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6780.IH
H6780
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Protein innovation that produces high-qual-
ity foods using under-utilized biomass and biomanu-
facturing processes is an essential component of the 
bioeconomy. 
(2) The United States has produced several 
groundbreaking 
biotechnological 
breakthroughs 
across the last decade that can diversify the food 
system. 
(3) In recent years, multiple countries have dra-
matically increased public investments into alter-
native protein research and development. 
(4) According to the Department of Agri-
culture, every $1 of investment into agricultural re-
search results in $20 of economic productivity. 
(5) As of 2019, the plant-based food industry 
supported over 55,000 jobs in the United States, 
and the protein sector could create as many as 
10,000,000 jobs globally by 2050. 
(6) Diversifying the protein supply of the 
United States will increase domestic supply chain re-
silience, decrease reliance on foreign grain and other 
commodities, and provide more choices to American 
consumers. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:53 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6780.IH
H6780
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(7) The global demand for meat is predicted to 
double by 2050, thus increasing the need for addi-
tional food sources. 
(8) A diversified food system would improve 
global and domestic food security. 
(9) Protein innovation can strengthen national 
security, improve supply chain resilience, and lower 
the risk of bioterrorism. 
SEC. 3. RESEARCH CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR FOOD 
AND AGRICULTURE INNOVATION. 
Section 1673 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, 
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5926) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR FOOD AND AG-
RICULTURE INNOVATION.— 
‘‘(1) RECOGNITION.—The Secretary shall recog-
nize not fewer than 3 centers of excellence, one of 
which will be led by an 1890 Institution (as defined 
in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 
7601)), to focus on the areas specified in paragraph 
(2) relating to the advancement of emerging and in-
novative food and agriculture with an emphasis on 
diversifying edible protein sources. 
‘‘(2) AREAS OF FOCUS.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:53 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6780.IH
H6780
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) 
FOOD
BIOMANUFACTURING
RE-
SEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.—A center of ex-
cellence recognized under paragraph (1) may 
carry out research, development, and education 
programs that support the quality, production, 
or cost-effectiveness of emerging and innovative 
foods that employ— 
‘‘(i) bioprocessing; 
‘‘(ii) biomanufacturing; and 
‘‘(iii) the conversion of biomass into 
proteins and fats at scale. 
‘‘(B) STUDENT SUCCESS AND WORKFORCE 
DEVELOPMENT.—A center of excellence recog-
nized under paragraph (1) may engage in ac-
tivities to ensure that students have the skills 
and education needed to work in innovative 
food and agriculture industries, including agri-
cultural science, technology, engineering, math-
ematics, and related fields of study. 
‘‘(3) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this subsection $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2026 through 2030. 
‘‘(4) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of the Producing Real Opportuni-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:53 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6780.IH
H6780
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
ties for Technology and Entrepreneurs Investing in 
Nutrition Act, and every year thereafter, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture 
of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Sen-
ate a report describing— 
‘‘(A) the resources invested in the centers 
of excellence recognized under paragraph (1); 
and 
‘‘(B) the work being done by such centers 
of excellence.’’. 
SEC. 4. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD RESEARCH INITIATIVE. 
Section 2(b)(2)(E) of the Competitive, Special, and 
Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)(2)(E)) 
is amended— 
(1) by redesignating clauses (ii) through (v) as 
clauses (iii) through (vi), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after clause (i) the following 
new clause: 
‘‘(ii) tools and production methods 
that increase the availability of edible pro-
tein sources using bioprocessing, biomanu-
facturing, and the conversion of under-uti-
lized biomass into high-value ingredients;’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:53 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6780.IH
H6780
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
SEC. 5. AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL PROGRAM.—The 
Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Adminis-
trator of the Agricultural Research Service (referred to in 
this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’), shall establish a new na-
tional program dedicated to protein security that increases 
rural prosperity and farmer profits, which is focused on— 
(1) bioprocessing; 
(2) biomanufacturing; and 
(3) the conversion of under-utilized biomass 
into high-value ingredients. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program 
under this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2026 through 2030. 
SEC. 6. FOOD BIOMANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION 
GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture 
(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall estab-
lish a grant program to ensure that the United States has 
a viable domestic food biomanufacturing and production 
capability to support and sustain increased global demand 
for protein. 
(b) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—An entity is eligible to re-
ceive a grant under subsection (a) if— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:53 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6780.IH
H6780
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(1) such entity is— 
(A) a nonprofit or for-profit private entity; 
(B) an institution of higher education; 
(C) a National Laboratory; 
(D) a State or local government; or 
(E) a consortium of entities described in 
subparagraphs (A) through (D); and 
(2) such entity— 
(A) is headquartered in the United States 
and operates primarily within the United 
States; 
(B) is at least 51 percent owned and con-
trolled by 1 or more individuals who are citizens 
of the United States; and 
(C) deploys intellectual property and con-
tent that is owned by United States individuals. 
(c) GRANTS.— 
(1) USE OF FUNDS.—An entity that receives a 
grant under this section shall use funds received 
through the grant— 
(A) to carry out 1 or more demonstration 
projects for the advanced biomanufacturing, 
production, or bioprocessing of edible proteins 
and fats at scale; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:53 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6780.IH
H6780
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(B) to construct 1 or more new commer-
cial-scale facilities for such advanced biomanu-
facturing, production, or bioprocessing; and 
(C) to retool, retrofit, or expand 1 or more 
existing facilities located in the United States 
and determined qualified by the Secretary for 
such advanced biomanufacturing, production, or 
bioprocessing. 
(2) AMOUNT OF GRANTS.—The amount of a 
grant awarded under this section shall be not less 
than $10,000,000 for an eligible entity carrying out 
1 or more projects described in paragraph (1). 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out the program under this section $50,000,000 for each 
of fiscal years 2026 through 2030. 
SEC. 7. FOOD BIOWORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT GRANT PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agri-
culture (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) 
shall establish a competitive grant program to support 
food biomanufacturing and bioprocessing workforce devel-
opment. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
19:53 Jan 06, 2026
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6780.IH
H6780
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS