Policy

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

Society Civic Science Initiative: Advancing Collective Support for Civic Science Activities

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Addressing many of the most complex and important problems we face—from climate change to global health threats—requires conversations and collaborations among scientists, decision makers, and the public more broadly. For many scientists, these interactions are embedded in their identities and daily realities; they may regularly speak to the media, meet with their elected representatives to … Read more Society Civic Science Initiative: Advancing Collective Support for Civic Science Activities

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

Policy Update – NASA Releases Early Career Solicitation Towards Plant/Food Production Technologies

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The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Technology Mission Directorate released a NASA Research Announcement (NRA) titled “Space Technology Research, Development, Demonstration, and Infusion-2020 (SpaceTech-REDDI-2020).”  The purpose of an NRA is to address future technological challenges of the aerospace enterprise that encourage economic growth and space research objectives.  Included in this specific solicitation are several … Read more Policy Update – NASA Releases Early Career Solicitation Towards Plant/Food Production Technologies

Policy Update – FFAR Releases 2020 New Innovator Award, Eliminates Match Requirement

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The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) released its 2020 solicitation for the New Innovator Award.  This award offers support to new faculty members in the first three years of their careers to “promote career advancement of highly creative and promising new scientists who intend to make a long-term career commitment to research in … Read more Policy Update – FFAR Releases 2020 New Innovator Award, Eliminates Match Requirement

Policy Update – Agencies Release Website for Biotechnology Regulation

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Following the streamlining of biotechnology regulations in the fall of 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) have launched the “Unified Website for Biotechnology Regulation.”  This website comes as part of the Trump Administration’s broader effort to streamline the regulation of biotechnology that was kicked … Read more Policy Update – Agencies Release Website for Biotechnology Regulation

Policy Update – DOE Releases Sustainable Bioenergy Crops Solicitation

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On January 10, the Department of Energy (DOE) released its fifth funding call under the Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program, and the second for its Biological Sciences program.  The “Systems Biology Research to Advance Sustainable Bioenergy Crop Development” solicitation provides a total of $15 million in fiscal year (FY) 2020 and $75 million over … Read more Policy Update – DOE Releases Sustainable Bioenergy Crops Solicitation

Policy Update – ASPB Nominee Named to BIO AC

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Dr. C. Robertson “Rob” McClung, who served as ASPB President from 2007 to 2008, has been named as the newest member of the National Science Foundation’s Biological Sciences Directorate (BIO) Advisory Committee (AC).  Dr. McClung, currently a Professor of Biological Sciences at Dartmouth College, was nominated by ASPB based on his expertise and leadership in … Read more Policy Update – ASPB Nominee Named to BIO AC

Policy Update – Administration Nominates National Science Foundation Director

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The Administration has announced its nomination of Dr. Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan, Executive Vice President at Arizona State University, to be the next Director of NSF following the pending conclusion of Dr. France Córdova’s term this spring.  By training, Dr. Panchanathan is an electrical and computer engineer.  Among several possible changes, Dr. Panchanathan’s nomination brings with … Read more Policy Update – Administration Nominates National Science Foundation Director

Policy Update – House Agriculture Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Implementation of Farm Bill Research Programs

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On October 17, the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research held a hearing to review the implementation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s 2018 Farm Bill research programs with testimony from Deputy Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics Scott Hutchins.  This hearing comes after the Farm Bill was reauthorized in December … Read more Policy Update – House Agriculture Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Implementation of Farm Bill Research Programs

Policy Update – NSF Announces Next Phase of Reintegrating Biology Initiative

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October 2019 Washington Update – Prepared by Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC for the American Society of Plant Biologists Following their Town Halls in September, the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Reintegrating Biology Initiative has announced the next phase of the process.  Reintegrating Biology will convene four “Jumpstarts”, two and a half-day workshops to “develop new and innovative … Read more Policy Update – NSF Announces Next Phase of Reintegrating Biology Initiative

Policy Update – NIFA Relocation

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October 2019 Washington Update – Prepared by Lewis-Burke Associates, LLC for the American Society of Plant Biologists Employees of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and Economic Research Service (ERS) have begun work in Kansas City, with the first report-to-work date occurring on September 30.  Although the agencies have begun to hire new … Read more Policy Update – NIFA Relocation

Action Alert – America Grows Act

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  The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) and the Plant Science Research Network (PSRN) are pleased to pass along an Action Alert released by the American Society for Agronomy (ASA), the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) in support of new legislation introduced by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). The … Read more Action Alert – America Grows Act

Press Release – ASPB Names 2019 Recipient of Leadership in Science Policy Public Service Award

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Honor to be presented at Plant Biology 2019 in San Jose, California ROCKVILLE, MD – The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) is pleased to announce that Pamela Ronald is the recipient of its 2019 Leadership in Science Policy Public Service Award. The ASPB Science Policy Committee awards the Leadership in Science Public Service Award … Read more Press Release – ASPB Names 2019 Recipient of Leadership in Science Policy Public Service Award