Policy

Funding Opportunity: NSF Innovation in Graduate Education Acceleration Hub

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The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently released its fiscal year (FY) 2020 solicitation for the Innovations in Graduate Education (IGE) program.  In addition to accepting regular project proposals for grants through the IGE program, NSF for this competition will also be accepting proposals for a one-time cooperative agreement award to create an IGE Innovation Acceleration … Read more Funding Opportunity: NSF Innovation in Graduate Education Acceleration Hub

IPBES Launches External Review of its Draft Scoping Report for the Nexus Assessment and Requests Input from Technical Experts 

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The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the organization established to improve the interface between science and policy on issues of biodiversity and ecosystem services, welcomes input from technical experts on the draft scoping report of its nexus assessment.  The focus of the nexus assessment is to produce information needed to achieve the policy objectives of … Read more IPBES Launches External Review of its Draft Scoping Report for the Nexus Assessment and Requests Input from Technical Experts 

USDA Relaxes Regulations for GE Crops – How Will it Affect the Plant Research Community?

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Chris Barbey, Ph.D. is a researcher at the University of Florida studying strawberry flavor and disease resistance.   Brand new USDA regulations for crop biotechnology will begin phasing in during June 2020. The new “SECURE” rules (Sustainable, Ecological, Consistent, Uniform, Responsible, Efficient) govern what is — and isn’t — required for USDA review before going … Read more USDA Relaxes Regulations for GE Crops – How Will it Affect the Plant Research Community?

U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: June 3-9, 2020

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Weekly updates on the US federal government’s response to COVID-19 and research opportunities. Federal Guidance Related to Research and Higher Education National Science Foundation (NSF) On June 5, it was noted at the NSF Environmental Research and Education (ERE) Advisory Committee that the Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC) program expects to add sub-tracks related to COVID-19 … Read more U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: June 3-9, 2020

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 FFAR Releases Crops of the Future RFA

U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: May 20 – 26, 2020

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Weekly updates on the US federal government’s response to COVID-19 and research opportunities. Federal Guidance Related to Research and Higher Education National Science Foundation (NSF) The 2020 NSF Proposal and Award Policy and Procedures Guide will go into effect as planned on June 1. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation of the new … Read more U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: May 20 – 26, 2020

Policy Update: USDA Releases Revised Rule on Genetically Engineered Plants Amid Overhaul of Biotechnology Regulations

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On May 18, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) released the final version of the agency’s update to the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology (Coordinated Framework). APHIS initially released a proposed rule in 2019, but withdrew it following significant stakeholder comments. This revision, called … Read more Policy Update: USDA Releases Revised Rule on Genetically Engineered Plants Amid Overhaul of Biotechnology Regulations

Multisociety Letter on the Immigration Executive Proclamation

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On May 20, ASPB and other societies sent a letter to President Trump to address the Immigration Executive Proclamation. The letter writes, “we urge you to prioritize the immigration of science and technology talent that will spur the scientific breakthroughs and economic growth of the United States that is needed for rapid recovery from the … Read more Multisociety Letter on the Immigration Executive Proclamation

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 Agency Update: USDA Releases Agriculture Innovation Agenda

U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: May 13 – 19, 2020

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Weekly updates on the US federal government’s response to COVID-19 and research opportunities. Federal Guidance Related to Research and Higher Education National Science Foundation (NSF) NSF Virtual Office Hours: Certain NSF Directorates and Divisions have held or are holding office hours for their research community. Examples and additional information below: The Division of Environmental Biology … Read more U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: May 13 – 19, 2020

U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: April 29 – May 5, 2020

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Weekly updates on the US federal government’s response to COVID-19 and research opportunities. Congressional and Federal Updates Senate Returns to Washington Despite COVID-19 Concerns The Senate returns to Washington on May 4 under controversial circumstances as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) reconvenes the Senate amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  The House of Representatives was also originally … Read more U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: April 29 – May 5, 2020

ASPB urges Congress to support NIFA and the Cooperative Extension System

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On April 30, ASPB joined other supporters of US agriculture in a letter to congressional leaders. “As Congress considers the next supplemental appropriations package, we urge you to provide the necessary resources to our agricultural research, education, and extension system,” the letter writes. Specific asks to Congress include: $380 million for the USDA National Institute … Read more ASPB urges Congress to support NIFA and the Cooperative Extension System

U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: April 22 – 28, 2020

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To provide relevant information to ASPB members, we will be sharing weekly updates on US Federal Agency responses to COVID-19 and research opportunities. The information below was prepared by Lewis-Burke Associates and curated by Shandrea Stallworth, Early Career Representative on ASPB’s Science Policy Committee. Additional information about ASPB’s response to COVID-19 can be found here. … Read more U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: April 22 – 28, 2020

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

U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: April 15 – 21, 2020

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To provide relevant information to ASPB members, we will be sharing weekly updates on US Federal Agency responses to COVID-19 and research opportunities. The information below was prepared by Lewis-Burke Associates and curated by Shandrea Stallworth, Early Career Representative on ASPB’s Science Policy Committee. Additional information about ASPB’s response to COVID-19 can be found here. … Read more U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: April 15 – 21, 2020

U.S. Congressional Resolution to Condemn Anti-Asian Racism Prompted by COVID-19

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On April 2, U.S. Senators announced a “plan to introduce a resolution condemning discrimination against Asian-Americans and Asian immigrants caused by the COVID-19 outbreak” (see press release). ASPB has signed on to a multisociety letter in support of the resolution, which will be introduced to the Senate on May 4. The Multisociety Letter was sent … Read more U.S. Congressional Resolution to Condemn Anti-Asian Racism Prompted by COVID-19

U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: April 8 – 14, 2020

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To provide relevant information to ASPB members, we will be sharing weekly updates on US Federal Agency responses to COVID-19 and research opportunities. The information below was prepared by Lewis-Burke Associates and curated by Shandrea Stallworth, Early Career Representative on ASPB’s Science Policy Committee. Additional information about ASPB’s response to COVID-19 can be found here. … Read more U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: April 8 – 14, 2020

U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: April 1 – 7, 2020

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To provide relevant information to ASPB members, we will be sharing weekly updates on US Federal Agency responses to COVID-19 and research opportunities. The information below was prepared by Lewis-Burke Associates and curated by Shandrea Stallworth, Early Career Representative on ASPB’s Science Policy Committee. Additional information about ASPB’s response to COVID-19 can be found here. … Read more U.S. Federal Agency Responses and Research Opportunities: April 1 – 7, 2020

ASPB Science Policy in the Time of COVID-19

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After cancelling its plans to meet in person in Washington, DC, as it typically does each spring, ASPB’s Science Policy Committee (SPC) convened virtually on March 23, 2020 to address one of its core activities: engaging with representatives of the federal agencies and other pertinent organizations. (Another core activity – convening meetings with Congressional staff … Read more ASPB Science Policy in the Time of COVID-19

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 NIFA Extends Deadlines for Proposal Submission to AFRI Programs