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