Dr. Anna Palmisano,Deputy Administrator, Competitive Programs
The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service
Competitive Programs
What we’ll discuss
• CSREES mission and USDA strategic goals
• Peer review• Individual funding programs• Stakeholder input• We’ve gone electronic
CSREES mission
• “To advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well being, and communities. ”
• Competitive Programs supports mission relevant, high priority research and integrated programs
USDA strategic goals
• Enhance international competitiveness of American agriculture
• Enhance competitiveness and stability of rural and farm economics
• Increase economic opportunities and improved quality of life in rural America
• Enhance protection and safety of the Nation’s agriculture and food supply
• Improve the Nation’s nutrition and health
• Protect and enhance the Nation’s natural resources and environment
Peer Review: A Hallmark of Competitive Programs
• Rigorous peer review selects proposals of highest merit
• Review performed by experts in research, extension and education
• Evaluation criteria include:– Scientific merit– Qualifications– Facilities– Project planning & management – Relevance
National Research Initiative: USDA’s Largest Competitive Program
• Basic and applied research• Integrated activities (research,
education and/or extension)• Biological, physical, social sciences• Single discipline and inter-
disciplinary• One investigator or teams• Broad eligibility
Types of NRI Proposals
• Standard grants (research and integrated)
• Conferences• Agricultural Research Enhancement
Awards (some restrictions apply)– New Investigator Awards– Post-doctoral Fellowships– Strengthening Awards
• Coordinated Agricultural Projects
FY2007 NRI program clusters
• Agricultural Biosecurity andAgricultural Genomics
• Agricultural Production and Value-Added Processing
• Nutrition, Food Safety and Quality
• Agro-ecosystems
Interagency Collaboration
• Collaborations are key, because they:
– Leverage tight budgets– Minimize overlap– Enhance coordination
• NPLs actively participate in interagency working groups under the President’s National Science and Technology Council
Community Food Program
• Meet the food needs of low-income people
• Increase self-reliance in meeting food needs
• Promote comprehensive responses to food, farm and nutrition issues
Biotechnology Risk Assessment Program (BRAG)
• Identify and develop management practices to minimize potential risks associated with genetically engineered animals, plants and microorganisms
• Assist Federal regulatory agencies in making science-based decisions about introducing GMOs into the environment
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
• Research for the development of a profit-making technology, product or service
• Two phase program - feasibility and development
• $80,000 (Phase I)/$300,000 (Phase II)• Small businesses of 500 employees
or less• Government-wide• 2.5% set-aside of USDA extramural
funding for research
Section 406 – Integrated Activities
• Water Quality• Food Safety• Integrated Pest Management Centers• Crops at Risk from FQPA
Implementation• Risk Avoidance and Mitigation
Program• Methyl Bromide Transitions Program• Organic Transitions Program
Stakeholder Input is Vital!
• Scientific societies, National Academy• REE Advisory Board• Producers, processors, industry• Land Grant University System• Non-governmental organizations• Other federal agencies• International coordination
We’ve gone electronic in FY 2007!
All competitive proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov