Science Policy Update: EPA Releases Final Herbicide Strategy

By Elizabeth Stulberg, PhD, and Victoria Swiler, Lewis-Burke Associates LLC The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a final Herbicide Strategy on August 20, a move that it anticipates will protect more than 900 federally endangered and threatened (“listed”) species from the potential impacts of herbicides. Since the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was passed in 1973, … Read more

Weighing in on GMO Technology Regulation

In late December 2023, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reopened the comment period on a recent proposal that outlined five additional exemptions for “plants with modifications that could be achieved through conventional breeding.” USDA APHIS coordinates responsibilities for Biotechnology Regulatory Services, which protect plant health and implement … Read more

ASPB Joins 64 Organizations Urging Funding for AgARDA

On March 8, 2023, ASPB, together with 64 other organizations, signed a letter addressed to the Subcommittee on Agriculture to urge $50 million in funding for the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA). “Advanced research agencies have been effectively deployed in defense, energy, and health to tackle the biggest challenges facing these industries in … Read more

ASPB Signs Letter Supporting Farm Bill Investment

ASPB, together with more than 50 other organizations, signed a letter to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees requesting $8 billion in food and agriculture research, facilities, Extension, and education in the Farm Bill. The letter urges the committee to consider that the most important “food and agricultural advancements rely on a continuous pipeline of … Read more

ASPB Backs LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act, Now Referred in Senate

On June 13, 2022, ASPB, together with 90 scientific organizations, signed a letter in support of the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act. The bill would require federal surveys to include data collection on sexual orientation and gender identity on a voluntary basis and ensure that lawmakers and federal agencies have the comprehensive data they need to … Read more

Funding Opportunity: USDA Releases FY 2022 Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative RFA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) released a request for applications (RFA) for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI). AG2PI aims to advance scientific understanding of genomes and phenomes of plants and animals of significance to American agriculture. This is the second RFA … Read more

ASPB Signs Letter to Eliminate Barriers to FDA’s Draft Guidance on Gene Editing

On April 19, 2022, the Ag Biotech Alliance, of which ASPB is a member, sent a letter to key members of Congress to include in the Fiscal Year 2023 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (Agriculture) Appropriations bill to provide the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the necessary resources to … Read more

ASPB Signs Letter Supporting Agricultural Research, Innovation, and Infrastructure

ASPB is pleased to sign a letter urging U.S. House and Senate Democratic leadership to prioritize and protect the vital investments in agricultural climate research, agricultural innovation, and agricultural research infrastructure within the Build Back Better human and climate infrastructure package.  These proposed investments are a generational down payment to fill critical R&D gaps and … Read more

ASPB Signs Letter Urging Support for NSF Funding in Infrastructure/Reconciliation and Appropriations

ASPB is pleased to sign a letter urging U.S. House and Senate Democratic leadership to prioritize and protect the vital investments in agricultural climate research, agricultural innovation, and agricultural research infrastructure within the Build Back Better human and climate infrastructure package.  These proposed investments are a generational down payment to fill critical R&D gaps and … Read more

Department of Energy Announces Early Career Research Program for FY 2022

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced it is accepting proposals for the 2022 DOE Office of Science Early Career Research Program to support the research of outstanding scientists early in their careers. The program will support over 60 early career researchers for five years at U.S. academic institutions and DOE National Laboratories. Early … Read more

Please Share Your Thoughts with Us

Thank you for taking the time to read ASPB President Maureen McCann’s letter regarding the ASPB Board of Director’s recent decision to reaffirm a commitment to holding Plant Biology 2023 in Savannah, GA. Now that you’ve done so, we’d welcome your thoughts on the approaches that ASPB should take toward identifying future conference venues and … Read more

Funding Opportunity for Post-Bac Research

NSF has released a Dear Colleague Letter highlighting an RFP for PIs on active awards. Learn more about this new program in this letter from NSF Communications Specialist Jared Dashoff. The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Directorate for Biological Sciences (BIO) recognizes the importance of early-career research experiences, especially for individuals contemplating a career in science, … Read more

Letter Expressing Support for the America Grows Act of 2021

ASPB has signed on a letter to Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Member John Boozman, Chairman Patrick Leahy, Vice Chairman Richard Shelby, Chairman Jeff Merkley, and Ranking Member John Hoeven expressing support for the America Grows Act of 2021 (S.1371), a bipartisan bill Senators Durbin and Moran have recently introduced that would significantly increase our nation’s … Read more

ASPB Signs Letter Supporting $11.5 billion of Funding to Support America’s Agricultural Research Infrastructure

ASPB is pleased to be a signee in support of funding of $11.5 billion to support America’s agricultural research infrastructure.  As you consider new initiatives to support rural America and investments in the agricultural economy, we strongly urge you to include a federal agricultural research infrastructure investment of $11.5 billion over a period of five … Read more

ASPB Signs Letter Supporting the Creation of a Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation

ASPB is pleased to be a signee in support of creating a Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI), which would fill a critical gap in successfully transitioning new energy technologies into the market and meeting the nation’s energy security and climate goals. We believe that it is time for DOE to have a foundation … Read more

Dealing with Pandemic Disruptions? Contact your Program Officer

As part of its March meeting, members of ASPB’s Science Policy Committee (SPC) met with program staff from several federal funding agencies, including the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Biological and Environmental Research Program at the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Directorate for Biological … Read more

ASPB Signs Letter Supporting Increased Funding for the USDA Genome to Phenome Program

Genome to Phenome FY 2022 Letter: ASPB is pleased to be a signee in support of increased funding for the USDA Genome to Phenome program, authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. We, the undersigned organizations, are writing to request your support for $10 million in appropriations for the Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative. Established in … Read more

ASPB Signs Letter Urging Support for the Highest Possible Funding Allocation for the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bills for Fiscal Year 2022

ASPB is pleased to be a signee in support of the highest possible funding allocation (302(b)) for the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bills for fiscal year (FY) 2022. In sum, the federal government has a unique role in funding the R&D crucial for our national needs, but the federal share of R&D spending remains at … Read more

ASPB Signs Letter Supporting the Bipartisan RISE Act

ASPB is pleased to be a signee in support of the bipartisan Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act that would provide $25 billion to help restore our nation’s research capacity to its pre-pandemic strength, prevent setbacks against the formidable challenges our nation faces, and further the goal of a robust, diverse, and inclusive … Read more

ASPB Signs Letter Supporting Increased Funding for Agriculture Appropriations Bills

ASPB is pleased to be a signee in support of increasing the funding allocation (302(b)) for the Agriculture Appropriations bills for fiscal year (FY) 2022. America’s farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers are at the fulcrum of multiple challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to strengthen our interconnected food and agricultural systems, the inequity in those … Read more