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
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
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 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 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
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
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
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
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 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 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
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
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 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 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 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
FY 2022 AFRI Coalition Letter: ASPB is pleased to be a signee in support of the AFRI Coalition’s letter supporting at least $600 million for the USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFR). The AFRI Coalition remains committed to our longstanding goal of achieving the $700 million authorized funding level for AFRI, while still investing … Read more
ASPB is pleased to be a signee in support of fully funding the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA), authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. AgARDA’s authorizing legislation aims to quickly and definitively tackle some of the biggest challenges in food and agriculture, from climate change, to production mechanization, to zoonotic diseases. AgARDA’s specialized … Read more
CNSF COVID January 2021 Letter: ASPB is pleased to be a signee on the Coalition for National Science Funding’s (CNSF) letter encouraging emergency relief funding for the National Science Foundation. Though our nation’s scientists and research institutions have risen to the challenge of the pandemic, they are facing enormous strains on their operations and infrastructure. … Read more
The AFRI Coalition sends letter to Chairman Hoeven, Ranking Member Merkley, Chairman Bishop, and Ranking Member Fortenberry (members of the U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittees) regarding fiscal year 2021 spending proposals. The AFRI Coalition commends you for your support of USDA’s Agriculture & Food Research Initiative (AFRI) and urges $435 million for AFRI … Read more
