Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC

FFAR Releases Crops of the Future RFA

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On May 27, the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) released a request for application (RFA) through its Crops of the Future Collaborative.  FFAR is seeking transformative research and technologies “focused on ensuring under-appreciated crops also benefit from recent advances and emerging technologies for genotype-independent regeneration of fertile plants to foster application of rapid breeding … Read more

Agency Update: USDA Releases Agriculture Innovation Agenda

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On February 20, the Deputy Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics Scott Hutchins announced the long-anticipated Agriculture Innovation Agenda. This effort has been a long-term priority of Deputy Under Secretary Hutchins and outlines target objectives for a future innovation strategy at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Agenda identifies several clear benchmark objectives … Read more

Washington Update – ASPB Member Appointed to Second Term on National Science Board

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Dr. Roger Beachy, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Biology at Washington University in St. Louis, has been included on the President’s list of intended nominees to the National Science Board (NSB), which governs the work of the National Science Foundation.  Of the eight members of NSB whose six-year terms are ending in 2020, Dr. … Read more

NIFA Extends Deadlines for Proposal Submission to AFRI Programs

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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced that is extending deadlines for its Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program (https://nifa.usda.gov/program/agriculture-and-food-research-initiative-afri). AFRI issued additional guidance that while other deadlines have not been extended, proposers whose applications would be delayed due to “valid extenuating circumstances” should contact the … Read more

Policy Update – Department of Agriculture Releases Five-Year Science Blueprint

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On February 6, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a new strategic document to steer future science activities for the Department through 2025.  The USDA Science Blueprint is intended to provide direction and focus as the agencies within USDA strive for a more coordinated scientific enterprise.  A primary goal of the document is the … Read more