Dr. Anna Palmisano -Deputy Administrator Competitive Programs Unit Cooperative State Research,

1. Dr. Anna Palmisano -Deputy Administrator Competitive Programs Unit Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service

2. CSREES Strategic Goals Goal 1 Enhance International Competitiveness of American Agriculture

3. CSREES Strategic Goals Goal 2 Enhance the Competiveness and Sustainability of Rural Farm Economics

4. CSREES Strategic Goals Goal 3 Support Increased Economic Opportunities and Improved Quality of Life in Rural America

5. CSREES Strategic Goals Goal 4 Enhance Protection and Safety of the Nation's Agriculture and Food Supply

6. CSREES Strategic Goals Goal 5 Improve the Nation's Health and Nutrition

7. CSREES Strategic Goals Goal 6 Protect and Enhance the Nation's Natural Resource Base and Environment

8. The Mission of CSREES “To Advance Knowledge for Agriculture, the Environment, Human Health and Well Being, and Communities. ” Competitive Programs Support Mission Relevant, High Priority Research and Integrated Programs

9. Peer Review • Rigorous Peer Review Selects Proposals of Highest Merit • Experts in Research, Extension, and Education Performs Reviews • Evaluation Criteria Include: • Scientific Merit • Qualifications • Facilities • Project Planning & Management • Relevance

10. High Impact Science!

11. We’ve Gone Electronic in FY2007! All Competitive Proposals Must Be Submitted Through Grants.Gov

12. Program Areas and Investment • National Research Initiative…….... $190 M • Community Foods…………………. $5 M • Outreach/Assistance to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers/Ranchers.. $5.9 M • Biotechnology Risk Assessment….. $3.9 M • Small Business Innovation Research. $18 M • Section 406……………………......... $42 M

13. National Research Initiative • Basic and Applied Research • Integrated Activities (Research, Education, and/or Extension) • Biological, Physical, and Social Sciences • Single Discipline and Inter-disciplinary • One Investigator or Teams • Broad Eligibility

14. 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

15. What are Integrated Projects? • Total 22% of the NRI Portfolio (~$40M) • Incorporate Research, Education, and Extension to Address a Problem or Issue • Priorities are Stakeholder-driven and Outcome Based • Encourage Collaboration to Generate New Knowledge and/or Apply Existing Knowledge • Disseminate Information through Extension, Education, And Outreach Rapidly

16. Coordinated Agricultural Projects • Promote Collaboration, Coordination, and Communication in High Priority Areas • Target Specific Gaps or Make Rapid Progress • Large Awards: Up to $5M, 2-4 Years • Annual Progress Reports to Stakeholder Meetings • Examples: Avian Flu, Rice Genome, Food Safety, Porcine Disease

17. NRI Average Award Size Has Grown!

18. NRI Priority Setting • Mission Relevance • Potential Impact • Scientific Opportunity and Enabling Technologies • Linkages to Other Programs/Minimizing Overlap • Stakeholder Input: Developing A Shared Vision for Long Term Goals

19. FY2007: NRI Program Clusters • Agricultural Genomics and Biosecurity • Agricultural Production and Value-added Processing • Nutrition, Food Safety and Quality • Agro-ecosystems and Rural Prosperity

20. Agricultural Genomics and Biosecurity Plant Biosecurity · Animal Protection and Biosecurity · Arthropod and Nematode Biology and Management · Microbial Genomics ·Microbial Biology · Plant Genome · Animal Genome NRI Funded Researchers at Arizona State University Focuses on Honeybee Pollination Efficiency. Amdam et al. 2006

21. Agricultural Production and Value-Added Processing Animal Growth and Nutrition · Animal Reproduction · Plant Biology · Nanotechnology for Food and Agriculture · Biobased Products and Bioenergy · Agricultural Markets and Trade NRI Funded Researchers at the University of California, Davis Examine the Anti-cancer Agent of Plants. Levy et al., 2006

22. Nutrition, Food Safety and Quality Food Safety and Epidemiology · Human Nutrition and Obesity · Bioactive Food Components · Improving Food Quality and Value NRI Funded Researchers at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln Examine the Cattle Population as a Reservoir for E. coli 0157:H7. Smith et al, 2006

23. Agroecosystems and Rural Prosperity Soil Processes · Water and Watersheds · Managed Ecosystems · Air Quality · Weedy/Invasive Species · Rural Development · Rural Prosperity for Small and Medium-sized Farms NRI Funded Researchers at The University of Connecticut Track the Proliferation of Invasive Species. Mehrhoff et al, 2006

24. NRI Discovery Award • Award Recognizes Outstanding NRI- Supported Principal Investigator • Criteria Are Excellence, Relevance and Impact on CSREES Mission 2006 NRI Discovery Award Winner, Dr. Tanya Pankiw, Texas A&M University

25. Interagency Collaborations • Collaborations Are Key to: • Leverage Tight Budgets • Minimize Overlap • Enhance Coordination • NPLs Actively Participate in Interagency Working Groups Under the President’s National Science and Technology Council

26. Interagency Collaborations • Microbial Genome Sequencing Program (NSF) • Maize Genome Program (NSF, DOE) • Microbial Observatories (NSF) • Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy (DOE) • Metabolic Engineering (NSF, NIH, NASA, DOE, etc.) • Climate Change Science Plan (DOE, NASA, NSF, others) • And more….

27. Community Food Program Lower Eastside Girl’s Club ACEnet Shared-use kitchen East New York Farms • Meet the Food Needs of Low-income People by Increasing Self-reliance and Promoting A Comprehensive Response to Food, Farm, And Nutrition.

28. Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers • Enhance the Potential of Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers to Acquire, Own, Operate and Retain Farms and Ranches by Delivering Outreach, Technical Assistance, and Education Programs.

29. Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants • Identify and Develop Management Practices to Minimize Potential Risks Associated with Genetically Engineered Animals, Plants, and Microorganisms. Researchers at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Examine the Cross-fertilizations Between GM And Non-GM Corn Varieties in Conventional and Organic Ag. Systems. Aylor et al, 2006

30. Small Business Innovation Research Freedom Tent, Blue Sky Designs - Winner of the 2006 da Vinci Award • Research for the Development of a Profit-making Technology, Product or Service • Two Phase Program - Feasibility and Development WoodStrawTM, Forest Concepts, LLC

31. 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

32. Stakeholder Input Is Vital! http://www.csrees.usda.gov/business/reporting/stakeholder.html • Scientific societies, National Academy • REE Advisory Board • Producers, processors, industry • Land Grant University System • Non-governmental organizations • Other federal agencies • International coordination

33. Looking Toward the Future…. • Develop A Shared Vision with the Scientific Community, Other Stakeholders • Develop Cross-cutting Programs in Highest Priority Areas • Improve Integration of Social and Natural Sciences • Continue to Seek Partnerships with Other Agencies to Leverage Funds

34. Questions? Dr. Anna Palmisano Deputy Administrator, Competitive Programs Phone: 202-401-1761 E-mail:apalmisano@csrees.usda.gov http://www.csrees.usda.gov