Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research (10.219)
Program
10.219 Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research
Federal Agency
COOPERATIVE STATE RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND EXTENSION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Authorization
Section 1668, Public Law 101-624.
Program Number
10.219
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To carry out research focused on environmental effects of biotechnology.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Grant funds must be used for allowable costs necessary to conduct approved research objectives. Funds may not be used for purposes other than those approved in the grant award documents.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Any public or private research or educational institution or organization.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Any public or private research or educational institution or organization.
Credentials/Documentation
None.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
All proposal solicitations are published in the Federal Register or sent to eligible institutions. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Preproposals and/or formal proposals, as outlined in the solicitation, should be submitted to the Office of Extramural Programs, Cooperative State Research, Education, and extension Service (CSREES). Application procedures are contained in the Research Grant Application Kit. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110 and the Administrative Provisions for the Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program, 7 CFR 3415.
Award Procedure
Proposals are reviewed by a peer panel of qualified scientists and other appropriate persons who are specialists in the field covered by the proposal. Proposals are funded in order of merit to the extent permitted by available funds.
Deadlines
Deadline dates are published in the Federal Register. Deadline for submission of fiscal year 2002 proposals was February 15, 2002. More information may be obtained by contacting the Office of Extramural Programs at (202) 401-4048.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Requests for renewal support must be submitted as new proposals at the announced deadline and are considered in equal competition with other proposals.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
None.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
From 1 to 5 years.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Quarterly financial reports, annual progress reports, and final financial and final summary progress reports.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Grantees are expected to maintain separate records for each grant to ensure that funds are used for the purpose for which the grant was made. Records are subject to inspections during the life of the grant and for 3 years thereafter.
Program Accomplishments
It is anticipated that funded projects will advance the safe application of biotechnology to agriculture.
Financial Information
Account Identification
12-1500-0-1-352.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 01 $756,036; FY 02 est $593,445; and FY 03 est $593,445.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$50,220 to $223,269. Average: $147,583.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
7 CFR 3415, Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program Administrative Provisions, and regulations referenced therein (e.g., 7 CFR 3015, 3016, 3017, 3018, 3019 and 3407).
Related Programs
10.001, Agricultural Research_Basic and Applied Research; 10.200, Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants; 10.202, Cooperative Forestry Research; 10.203, Payments to Agricultural Experiment Stations Under the Hatch Act; 10.206, Grants for Agricultural Research_Competitive Research Grants; 10.207, Animal Health and Disease Research; 10.250, Agricultural and Rural Economic Research; 10.652, Forestry Research.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Deputy Administrator, Competitive Research Grants and Awards Management, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250. Telephone: (202) 401-1761.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Factors Affecting Crop Gene Flow and Introgression into Natural Populations; Transgenic Fish; Testing Models to Assess Risk; Risk Assessment of a Recombinant Baculovirus Expressing a Protease; The Hazard of Pest Evolution: Accuracy and Precision of Genetic Risk Assessments; Assessing Risk of Bt Corn to Nontarget Soil Arthropods: Direct and Indirect Effects.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Within guidelines established for the program, criteria include: Overall scientific and technological quality of proposal; research competence of the principal investigator(s), research team and support personnel; adequacy of facilities, equipment, and related program support; justification of support requested in relation to objectives and procedures; feasibility of attaining objectives during life of proposed research; awareness of published literature and current research related to proposed research; relevance of importance of proposed research to solution of specific areas of inquiry; and estimate of expected benefits.
