There will be two scholarships awarded in the amounts of $2,500 each. Ben Meadows is looking for students who stand out in achievement or leadership. Each award will be presented separately based upon acceleration in one of these qualifications. Awards are judged on the criteria shown below. Only one scholarship will be granted per person. Awards will be made payable to a specified educational organization that the winning awardee chooses and that amount shall be used for qualified tuition and related expenses. Qualified tuition and related expenses are tuition and fees required for enrollment and fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction at the educational organization. Deadline 30 Jun. http://www.benmeadows.com/scholarships/

(TOP) ~ 10th Annual Carver Award from National Peanut Board

The National Peanut Board (NPB) is taking applications for the 10th annual Dr. George Washington Carver Award. The award is open to undergraduate and graduate students and the winner receives a $1,000 prize, with a matching amount awarded to the winner’s college for peanut research. This year’s winner will be presented with a check for $1,000 and a plaque at the 2011 American Peanut Research and Education Society’s (APRES) Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas, July 12-14. Deadline 24 Jun. Application forms are available online at: www.nationalpeanutboard.org/news_carveraward.php. Once completed, entries should be mailed to the National Peanut Board Dr. Carver Award, 2839 Paces Ferry Road, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30339.

(TOP) ~ Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive Grants Program

The goal of the Supplemental and Alternative Crops Competitive Grants Program (SACC) is to significantly increase canola crop production and/or acreageby developing and testing of superior germplasm, methods of planting, cultivation, harvesting, and then transferring new knowledge to producers (via Extension) as soon as practicable. Priority will be given to applications that provide evidence of multi-state cooperation with a minimum of three state cooperators and that utilize existing expertise of land-grant colleges and universities and government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Deadline 31 May. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=89693

(TOP) ~ Science, Entertainment, and Education Grant Opportunity

The Science & Entertainment Exchange, a program of the National Academy of Sciences, is seeking proposals to establish collaborative partnerships among scientists, entertainment industry professionals, and educators to develop educational products or services that effectively leverage the resources of the entertainment community (including film, television, and video games) to improve educational outcomes in science classrooms. A total of $225,000 will support the development of one or more innovative ideas. On February 4, 2011, the National Academy of Sciences convened leaders in the fields of science, education, and entertainment to explore the ways in which bringing together film, television programming, video games, and other entertainment media with quality science content and exceptional classroom teaching can empower student learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Focused primarily on the middle and high school grades, this daylong summit provided a forum where participants could exchange ideas and share new perspectives on this topic. The meeting encouraged cross-disciplinary dialogue and challenged participants to think more broadly about how they can contribute to improving America’s STEM literacy and competitiveness. More information about the Summit on Science, Entertainment, and Education and the grant information can be found at seenas.ning.com.

(TOP) ~ Earthscope

EarthScope is an Earth science program to explore the 4-dimensional structure of the North American continent. This Solicitation calls for single or collaborative proposals to conduct scientific research associated with the EarthScope Facility and support activities that further the scientific and educational goals of EarthScope. The EarthScope Program provides a framework for broad, integrated studies across the Earth sciences, including research on fault properties and the earthquake process, strain transfer, magmatic and hydrous fluids in the crust and mantle, plate boundary processes, large-scale continental deformation, continental structure and evolution, and composition and structure of the deep Earth. In addition, EarthScope offers a centralized forum for Earth science education at all levels and an excellent opportunity to develop cyberinfrastructure to integrate, distribute, and analyze diverse data sets. Deadline 16 Jul. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=83713

(TOP) ~ Renewable Resources Extension Act - National Focus Fund Projects

B. Purpose and Priorities The purpose of the grant program for FY 2011 is to provide funds for projects that: (1) Have national or regional relevance; or (2) Build capacity in the Cooperative Extension System to better serve forest and rangeland owners; or (3) Develop new and innovative projects that can be replicated at other institutions. Deadline 6 Jun. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=86034

(TOP) ~ Research Coordination Networks (RCN)

The goal of the RCN program is to advance a field or create new directions in research or education. Groups of investigators will be supported to communicate and coordinate their research, training and educational activities across disciplinary, organizational, geographic and international boundaries. RCN provides opportunities to foster new collaborations, including international partnerships, and address interdisciplinary topics. Innovative ideas for implementing novel networking strategies, collaborative technologies, and development of community standards for data and meta-data are especially encouraged. See solicitation for deadline. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=86453

(TOP) ~ Education and Interdisciplinary Research

Supports activities in conjunction with NSF-wide programs such as Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER), Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), and programs aimed at women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. Further information about all of these programs and activities is available in the Crosscutting Investment Strategies section of the NSF Guide to Programs. The program also supports activities that seek to improve the education and training of physics students (both undergraduate and graduate), such as curriculum development or physics education research directed towards upper-level or graduate physics courses, and activities that are not included in specific programs elsewhere within NSF. The program supports research at the interface between physics and other disciplines and extending to emerging areas. Broadening activities related to research at the interface with other fields, possibly not normally associated with physics, also may be considered. Deadline 28 Sep. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=86473

(TOP) ~ 2011 Washington State NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are accepted from within Washington State. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2011 will be approximately $150,000.00. Deadline 30 May. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=86893

(TOP) ~ FOA: Biomass Research and Development Initiative

This FOA is a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for fiscal year (FY) 2011 BRDI which requires that funded projects integrate all three legislatively mandated technical areas. These areas include (A) Feedstocks development, (B)Biofuels and biobased products development, and (C) Biofuels and biobased products development analysis. Deadline 31 May. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=87874

Congressional/Administration News

(TOP) ~ ASA-CSSA-SSSA graduate students seek Congressional support for education programs

On 31 Mar, the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) held their first joint Graduate Student Congressional Visits Day. Eight graduate students traveled from around the country to meet with their Congressional delegations to educate them about their science and seek support for graduate fellowships. View and comment on blog posting at:http://science-policy.blogspot.com/.

(TOP) ~ Congress comes together in 11th hour and passes FY 2011 Continuing Resolution

On 15 April, late into the evening, Congress finally reached an agreement on and passed H.R.1473, the FY 2011 continuing resolution (CR) which will fund the government through 30 Sep. Funding levels for agencies of interest to ASA, CSSA, and SSSA members follow.

(TOP) ~ USDA-Agricultural Research Service

For FY 2011, USDA’s Agricultural Research Service will be funded at $1.136 billion for salaries and expenses (no funding provided for buildings and facilities) as compared to $1.180 billion in FY 2010 for salaries and expenses (plus $70.873 million for buildings and facilities), a decrease of $44 million or 3.73%. The CR rescinds $230 million in unobligated funding in the ARS Buildings and Facilities Account. In constant dollars, ARS continues to lose ground, compromising the agency’s ability to address the grand challenges facing the agricultural, natural resources and environmental sciences.

(TOP) ~ USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture

The CR eliminates all earmarks in the National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Within NIFA, the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative is funded at $265 million, as compared to $262 million in FY 10 (+1%). Funding for the Hatch Act is provided at $237 million, as compared to $215 million in FY10 (+9%). The McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry program is funded at $33 million, as compared to $29 million in FY 10 (+12%). Funding for Smith-Lever Sections 3(b) and 3(c) is provided at $295 million, as compared to $298 million in FY 10 (-1%). The Integrated research, education, and extension program, known as Sec. 406, is funded at $29 million, a significant cut of $16.1 million or 35.7%.

(TOP) ~ USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

The CR provides $890 million for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, as compared to $1.008 billion in FY10 (-12%). This includes $18 million for the Watershed Rehabilitation program, as compared to $40 million in FY10 (-55%). The CR eliminates the Resource Conservation and Development Program.

(TOP) ~ USDA Forest Service

The bill includes $4.695 billion for operations of the U.S. Forest Service, a decrease of $602 million below FY10 (-11.4%). Key funding levels include: *$2.46 billion for wildland fire management programs, including $997.5 million for fire suppression programs and $291 million for the FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Fund; * $1.545 billion for operations of national forests and grasslands, of which $336 million is provided for forest products and $15 million is provided for large-scale collaborative landscape restoration projects, as authorized by the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Act of 2009; *$473.6 million for capital improvement and maintenance activities; and *$307 million for forestry research activities.

(TOP) ~ National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is funded at $18.5 billion, a reduction of $515 million from the FY 2011 request.

(TOP) ~ National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is funded at $6.8 billion in FY 2011, a reduction of $66 million or ~1% below FY 2010. The Research and Related Activities account would be funded at $5.511 billion, a $42 million decrease (-0.8%), while Education and Human Resources would be funded at $861 million or a $10 million reduction (-1.1%).

(TOP) ~ DOE Office of Science

The Office of Science receives $4.884 billion, which is $866 million above H.R. 1 and $20 million below FY 2010. With $76 million in earmarks in FY 2010, there is an increase to the base budget of $56 million. The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) receives $180 million to develop high-risk, but promising future energy technologies. This is $130 million above H.R. 1 and $180 million above FY 2010. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs receive $1.835 billion, which is $368 million above H.R. 1 and $408 million below FY 2010. The actual reduction to the program compared to FY 2010 is $116 million because the bill rescinds $292 million in earmarks.

(TOP) ~ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Provides $4.6 billion which is $947 million below the FY 2011 requested level. This level requires administrative and overhead reductions and does not provide NOAA the funding increase requested for the Joint Polar Satellite System. H.R. 1 had proposed to cut an additional $335 million from NOAA’s operations which threatened critical weather forecasts and warnings.

(TOP) ~ Environmental Protection Agency

The bill includes $8.83 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency, a decrease of $1.49 billion below FY 2010 and an increase of $1.58 billion above H.R. 1, the House CR.The distribution of funds among major programs of the agency follows: *$2.49 billion for water and sewer infrastructure and other infrastructure improvement activities. The bill will fund more than 860 water and sewer projects for communities nationwide and includes: * $1.525 billion for sewer system improvements through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program; *$965 million for drinking water system improvements through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund program; *$1.11 billion in grants to States and tribes to fund environmental regulation and protection activities; *$2.76 billion for environmental programs and management activities, including $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative; *$1.283 billion for Superfund programs and activities; and *$815 million for science and technology programs.

(TOP) ~ U.S. Geological Survey

The bill includes $1.1 billion for operations of the U.S. Geological Survey, a decrease of $25.9 million below the FY 2010 enacted level and $0.3 million below H.R.1, the House CR.

(TOP) ~ STEM Funding in the FY2011 Continuing Resolution

A total of $38.5 billion was cut from current spending levels (which include the previous reductions that were made in other short-term funding measures) in the final deal made last week between the President and House and Senate leaders. All things considered, STEM education programs at NSF and the Department of Education fared well in the long term FY2011 CR. Programs at the National Science Foundation under the Education andHuman Resources Directorate received a modest $10 million cut and the Department of Education Math and Science Partnerships were untouched.

(TOP) ~ Stabenow and Roberts announce subcommittee assignments

Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Ranking Member, Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), announced assignments for the Committee’s five subcommittees for the 112th Congress. A list of the Chair and Ranking Member for each subcommittee follows:

Subcommittee on Commodities, Markets, Trade and Risk Management
Chairman: Bill Nelson (D-NE)
Ranking Member: Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)

Subcommittee on Jobs, Rural Economic Growth and Energy Innovation
Chairman: Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Ranking Member: John Thune (R-SD)

Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources
Chairman: Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Ranking Member: John Boozman (R-AR)

Subcommittee on Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Food and Agricultural Research
Chairman: Robert Casey (D-PA)
Ranking Member: Dick Lugar (R-IN)

Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, Poultry, Marketing and Agriculture Security
Chairman: Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY)
Ranking Member: Mike Johanns (R-NE)

A list of full member assignments for these subcommittees can be found here: http://ag.senate.gov/site/news.html

International Corner

(TOP) ~ New study shows agricultural R&D in Africa hindered by significant challenges

Investment in agricultural research and development (R&D) in Sub-Saharan Africa increased by more than 20 percent from 2001-2008, but most of this growth occurred in only a handful of countries. Nigeria alone accounts for one-third of the increase. Spending in most of the region has stagnated or fallen, according to a new report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). In a survey of 32 African nations, the study found that investment in agricultural R&D had rebounded in many of the larger countries, primarily Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. However, in 13 countries, spending actually declined. For country fact sheets, graphs, the full report, and other materials, please visit: (http://www.ifpri.org/pressroom/briefing/new-report-agricultural-research-and-development-rd-africa

(TOP) ~ NASA and USAID pledge to advance international development with S&T

NASA and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have agreed to expand their joint efforts to overcome international development challenges such as food security, climate change, and energy and environmental management. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah signed a five-year memorandum of understanding on Monday, April 25, at NASA Headquarters. The agreement formalizes ongoing agency collaborations that use Earth science data to address developmental challenges, and to assist in disaster mitigation and humanitarian responses. The agreement also encourages NASA and USAID to apply geospatial technologies to solve development challenges affecting the United States as well as developing countries. For more information on the LAUNCH program, visit: http://www.launch.org. For more information about USAID, visit: www.usaid.gov.

(TOP) ~ Global Agricultural Development Initiative

On May 24, 2011, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs will convene a symposium to review progress on the U.S. government’s global food Global Agricultural Development Initiative on Global Agriculture and Food Security:Progress to Date and Strategies for Success. The symposium will be cochaired by Catherine Bertini, Executive Director, UN World Food Program (1992-2002) and Dan Glickman, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture (1995-2001). The symposium will: Evaluate progress to date on the U.S. government’s approach to agricultural development and food security, both celebrating successes and identifying opportunities for further work; Discuss how long-term U.S. public and private sector support for agricultural development can advance global security, stability, and economic prosperity; Offer constructive thinking on future implementation challenges.The event will take place at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Washington, D.C. http://www.thechicagocouncil.org/GLOBALAGDEVELOPMENT/gad/Events/2011/May_2011.aspx

Conferences, Meetings and Reports

(TOP) ~ STEM Education Data and Trends

The National Science Board has released the STEM Education Data and Trends, a web-based statistical tool for the STEM education communities. The new tool provides easy access to data for parents, students, guidance counselors, teachers and other stakeholders in pre-college and undergraduate STEM education. It uses data from the latest volume of Science and Engineering Indicators and allows the user to explore and analyze answers to questions such as How much are states spending on their schools? What is my state doing? What is the science and engineering job market outlook for graduates in the United States? http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/sei/edTool/timeLineButtonInfo.xml

(TOP) ~ USDA ARS bioenergy research accomplishments

USDA announces the release of a report identifying the key accomplishments achieved in 2010 by USDA-ARS’ bioenergy researchers.These accomplishments are summarized in a 7-page annual report at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Program/213/NP%20213%20FY2010%20accomplishments.pdf. Accomplishments are organized under the three major components of ARS bioenergy research – Feedstock Development, Sustainable Feedstock Production Systems, and Biorefining.

(TOP) ~ White House Emerging Technologies Interagency Policy Coordination Committee Report

The White House Emerging Technologies Interagency Policy Coordination Committee (ETIPC) has released a memorandum to the heads of executive departments and agencies outlining broad principles to guide the development and implementation of policies for oversight of emerging technologies at the agency level. The Principles reflect the Committee’s goal of striking a balance in which novel technologies are subject to oversight that is adequate to protect public health and the environment but not so daunting as to unduly slow innovation or the development of those new technologies. View 2011 ETIPC "Principles for Regulation and Oversight of Emerging Technologies" memorandum: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/etipc-memo-3-11-2011.pdf

(TOP) ~ US Greenhouse Gas Emissions declined by 5.8 percent in 2009

According to an annual report released by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), US Greenhouse Gas Emissions declined by 5.8 percent in 2009. The report notes that since 1990, U.S. GHG emissions have grown at an average annual rate of 0.4 percent. This is the largest percentage decline in total U.S. GHG emissions since 1990, the starting year for EIA's data on total GHG emissions. The large decline in emissions in 2009 was driven by the economic downturn, combined with an ongoing trend toward a less energy-intensive economy and a decrease in the carbon-intensity of the energy supply. View full report: “Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 2009”, EIA's web site at: http://www.eia.gov/environment/emissions/ghg_report/

Sources: American Association for the Advancement of Science; Congressional Quarterly; E&E Publishing; Food Industry Environmental Network, LLC; National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Vision: The Societies Washington, DC Science Policy Office (SPO) will advocate the importance and value of the agronomic, crop and soil sciences in developing national science policy and ensuring the necessary public-sector investment in the continued health of the environment for the well being of humanity. The SPO will assimilate, interpret, and disseminate in a timely manner to Society members information about relevant agricultural, natural resources and environmental legislation, rules and regulations under consideration by Congress and the Administration.

This page of the ASA-CSSA-SSSA web site will highlight current news items relevant to Science Policy. It is not an endorsement of any position.

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27 April 2011

Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities

Congressional/Administration News

International Corner

Conferences, Meetings and Reports

Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities

Congressional/Administration News

International Corner

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