In the rapidly evolving field of genetics, collaboration is key to unlocking new discoveries and driving innovation. We asked Rachel Hawken, Senior Director of Genetics, to explore the impact and vision behind the Cobb Research initiative (CRI). In this brief interview, we’ll uncover how the program is shaping the future of genetic research, what makes a successful partnership, and what opportunities lie ahead.
What is the Cobb Research Initiative (CRI)?
The CRI is an R&D based program that seeks partnerships with researchers to further our genetic progress and answer key issues facing the global industry. It is a competitive grants program that accepts short pre-proposals which are reviewed and selected researchers are then invited to submit full proposals. We do not require a letter of intent. The Request for Applications (RFA) is released on the opening day of the International Poultry Processors Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia. That day also marks the opening of our submission’s portal. We accept pre-proposal submissions for 6 weeks. For our 2026 round, the RFA will be released on January 27th.
How has the CRI helped Cobb progress and achieve genetic gains?
Partnering with external researchers has significantly accelerated the progress of our R&D program by bringing in fresh perspectives, specialized expertise, and access to advanced technologies or methodologies. By combining internal knowledge with external talent, we can solve complex challenges more efficiently. Looking across the genetics field as an example, massive data sets are collected and analyzed to understand how traits are inherited, individuals cope with disease, and genetics vary in a population. At Cobb, we also collect big data across our production pipeline and from global environments which we harness for precision breeding. Our collaborations have helped us develop tools and methods to handle big data and make selection decisions that keep our genetics progressing.
The CRI isn’t just about genetics, breeding and biology, we are also actively investigating technology and automation in production. Like many companies, we face challenges adapting automation to improve production efficiency due to the size of our system. We also have unique challenges because our system is biological, so it takes time to determine the impacts of new technologies. However, the CRI has allowed us to test technology and even digitally model outcomes without integrating them into our production system. This is especially important because we are a global company and need to find technologies that are suitable for mass scaling.
Why do researchers choose to partner with Cobb?
Our CRI program brings visibility to researchers and their work, accelerates innovation, and provides resources that are not typically available through traditional academic channels. It’s clear that academic administration recognizes these opportunities and the value of these collaborations, because more than ever, they are strongly encouraging researchers to engage with industry partners.
Making our research visible also benefits Cobb. The industry wants to know how we are working to improve our genetics and the CRI helps us showcase that research. By enhancing the visibility of our science, we can attract new customers, strengthen our relationships with existing customers and reinforce Cobb’s reputation as a leader in innovation. At the same time, researchers and their work gain exposure to other potential partners in the industry.
Is this program only for researchers in poultry specific areas?
No! We want to leverage advanced technology and innovative thinking from any discipline. In fact, a primary goal of the CRI is to collaborate with diverse disciplines.
We highly encourage any researcher interested in submitting a pre-proposal to reach out and discuss your proposal with us. A big difference between our funding program and others is our active engagement with researchers through the entire process, from the proposal development process, continuing until the project is completed. We want to work with you and help make your project mutually beneficial.
How can I learn more about the CRI?
You can visit our website www.cobbgenetics.com to see what projects we’ve funded. You can also access peer-reviewed papers that we’ve published in collaboration with researchers. For specific questions, feel free to send an email to research@cobbgenetics.com.
About Dr. Hawken
Rachel joined Cobb in 2011 as the Director of Biotechnology and was promoted to the Director of Genomics and Quantitative Genetics in 2015. She has held her current position, Senior Director of Genetics, since 2018. Prior to Cobb she worked as a Principal Research Scientist at the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organization (CSIRO), Livestock Industries in Brisbane, Australia. Dr. Hawken earned her Bachelors of Science in Genetics from La Trobe University, and her Ph.D. from Melbourne University, in Melbourne Australia. After earning her Ph.D., she was a Research Fellow and Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, at University of Minnesota.
