A View of the Agricultural and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)

Transcription

1 A View of the Agricultural and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Louie Tupas, Deputy Director Institute of Bioenergy, Climate, and Environment National Institute of Food and Agriculture 1

2 NIFA Overview USDA - Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Mission Area Vision: Investing in Science and Securing our Future for the agricultural and food systems Mission: Providing leadership in ag, food, natural resource sciences to create a better future by supporting research, education, and extension programs and projects 2

3 NIFA Overview (Cont.) Enhance science-based knowledge in biological, physical, and social sciences Partner and cooperate with higher education and research institutions, NGOs, and others Competitive and non-competitive programs Support and empower people and communities to improve their quality of life at the local, state, and regional levels 3

4 NIFA Overview (Cont.) An extensive network of state, regional, and county extension offices in every state and territory Cooperative Extension System offices: - an avenue to get connected with education & research institutions and provide stakeholder inputs Focus of this presentation: only on selective competitive programs in the areas of biofuels, bioenergy, climate, and conservation 4

5 NIFA Overview (Continued) An extensive network of state regional and county extension offices in every state and territory Cooperative Extension System offices ( an avenue to get connected with education and research institutions and to provide stakeholder needs and concerns Presentation focuses only on selective competitive programs in the areas of biofuels, bioenergy, climate, and conservation 5

6 National Institute of Food and Agriculture Institute of Bioenergy, Climate, and Environment enhance sustainable biobased energy systems and products enhance adaptive agro-ecosystems in response to climate variability and change Institute of Food Production and Sustainability enhance global food security through productive and sustainable agricultural systems Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition ensure safe food supply; improve citizens health through nutrition; reduce childhood obesity; and improve food quality Institute of Youth, Family, and Community enable vibrant and resilient communities; enhance youth development prepare the next generation of scientists enhance science capacity in minority serving institutions Center for International Programs 6

7 Foundational Program 1. Plant health and production and plant products; 2. Animal health and production and animal products; 3. Food safety, nutrition, and health; 4. Bioenergy, natural resources, and environment; 5. Agriculture systems and technology; and 6. Agriculture economics and rural communities. 7

8 Foundational Program NIFA Fellowships Grant Program Exploratory Research Program CARE (Critical Agricultural Research and Extension) Program 8

9 AFRI Challenge Areas Food Security Food Safety Childhood Obesity Prevention Sustainable Bioenergy Agricultural and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Water for Agriculture 9

10 Competitive Programs -- Grant Types Standard Grants Conference Grants Food and Agriculture Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants Pre- and Post-doctoral Fellowships Grant New Investigator Grants Strengthening Grants (seed, equipment, sabbatical) Eligibility limited to: Small and mid-sized or minority serving institutions Limited institutional success USDA EPSCoR states 10

11 Sustainable Bioenergy Programs AFRI- Sustainable Bioenergy Challenge Areas Coordinated Agricultural Projects (CAPs) a regional system-based approach biofuels, biopower and bioproducts emphasis on feedstock production, harvest, storage, distribution, etc. Other Research and Education programs Examples: Michigan State University develop decision support tools for advancing biofuels industry collaborate with Bay Mills Community College & Tribal producers analyze socioeconomic effects and implications for small scale and minority/tribal producers University of Wisconsin (Education) collaborate with the College of Menominee Nation develop a model to support teachers and students learning on sustainability and bioenergy concepts k-12 education system and undergraduate level 11

12 Sustainable Bioenergy Programs (Cont.) Plant Feedstock Genomics Program NIFA-DOE joint program fundamental research of biomass genomics perennials and trees for biofuels production Farm Bill Mandated Programs Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) partner with DOE support projects that address the supply chain from feedstock development, production, conversion, and product development 12

13 Sustainable Bioenergy Programs (Cont.) Farm Bill Mandated Programs Biodiesel Education Grants Program - Advancing infrastructure, technology transfer, fuel quality, fuel safety and increasing feedstock production Critical Ag Materials Program Aligning with the National Bioeconomy Blueprint Supporting development and field demonstration of new paint coating and adhesive products Agriculture-based and environmentally preferable. Sun Grant Program Supporting 6 consortia of universities in each of the sun grant region and subcenter region North-Central, Southeastern, South-Central, Western, and Northeastern Sun Grant Centers and a Western Insular Pacific Subcenter. 13

14 Agriculture and Natural Resources Science for Climate Variability and Change Program Support adaptive management and mitigation potentials of agriculture and natural resources systems addressing climate variability and change Example: University of California, Davis -Triticeae CAP (TCAP) evaluate a broad group of barley and wheat germplasm for disease resistance, water and nitrogen use efficiency, and yield education targeted students from minority serving institutions (MSI), e.g., 6 MSI students participated in research at TCAP institutions; & MSI faculty mentoring students 14

15 Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment Program (BENRE) Support research projects that evaluate the physical and biogeochemical (including microbial) processes affecting the flow, fate, transport, transformation, movement, and storage of nitrogen and phosphorus innovative agro-ecosystem management practices and systems for their potential to enhance ecosystem services Example: Alabama A&M University held an symposium session in 2011 on trends and emerging issues in Soil Microbial Ecology resulted in a number of joint collaborative projects & proposals, some of which have been funded by USDA and NSF 15

16 Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) Seek to solve critical organic agricultural issues, priorities, or problems Integration of research, education and extension activities approximately $20 million in FY2014 Example New York Agricultural Experiment Station seeking to improve the cropping system of organic vegetable growers in the Great Lakes region developed organic buckwheat markets in several underserved areas of New York, expanding the availability of fresh vegetables in those areas 16

17 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Stimulating technological innovation in the private sector, strengthening the role of small businesses in meeting Federal research and development needs Increasing private sector commercialization of innovations derived from USDA-supported research and development efforts Fostering and encouraging participation by women-owned and socially and economically disadvantaged small business firms in technological innovation Related Research Topics Includes: Forests and Related Resources Plant Production and Protection Biology Air, Water and Soils Aquaculture Biofuels and Biobased Products Plant Production and Protection Engineering 17

18 NIFA Grant Search URL: Louie Tupas 18