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National Research Initiative: A Vital Competitive Grants Program in Food, Fiber, and Natural-Resources Research
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1
History of Competitive Research at the USDA,
2
Organization,
2
Study Process,
3
Status of the National Research Initiative,
4
NRI’s Mission,
4
Research Accountability,
5
Priority Setting and Organization,
7
Funding,
11
A National Food, Fiber, and Natural Resources Research Complex,
14
1.
INTRODUCTION
15
Brief History of Competitive Research at USDA,
16
NRI Organization,
19
Prior Reviews of the NRI,
19
Study Process,
20
Overview of Report,
20
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National Research Initiative: A Vital Competitive Grants Program in Food, Fiber, and Natural-Resources Research
2.
VALUE OF FOOD, FIBER, AND NATURAL-RESOURCES RESEARCH
21
Economic Contributions,
22
Rates of Return from Food and Fiber Research,
23
Impacts of Advances in Life Sciences,
25
Public-Sector and Private-Sector Research Funding,
26
3.
THE NATIONAL RESEARCH INITIATIVE COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM
29
Quality and Value,
30
Measuring the Quality and Value of NRI-Supported Research,
31
Novelty and Significance of Research,
35
Fairness,
36
The NRI Peer Review Process,
36
Evaluation of NRI Peer Review Process,
38
Relevance and Responsiveness,
39
Summary Findings,
40
4.
ROLE AND SCOPE OF THE NRI PROGRAM
41
Scientific Objectives,
42
Applied versus Fundamental Research,
42
Multidisciplinary Research,
59
Training and Education,
45
Developing Future Scientists,
45
Strengthening Academic Institutions in the Food and Fiber System,
46
Enhancing Public Understanding,
47
Complementarity,
48
Other USDA-Funded Research Programs,
48
Intramural Research,
48
Formula Funds,
49
Special Grants,
49
Other Competitive Grants in USDA,
50
Complementarity of NRI in USDA,
51
Other Federal Programs,
52
National Science Foundation,
52
National Institutes of Health,
53
Department of Energy,
53
Interagency Programs,
54
Complementarity of NRI with other Federal Programs,
55
Industry and the NRI,
56
Summary Findings,
56
Scientific Objectives,
56
Training and Education,
56
Complementarity,
57
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National Research Initiative: A Vital Competitive Grants Program in Food, Fiber, and Natural-Resources Research
5.
PRIORITIES AND PRIORITY-SETTING AT THE NRI
58
Process,
59
Overview of USDA Priority-Setting Process,
59
NRI Priority-Setting Process,
59
Analysis of NRI Priority-Setting Process,
60
NRI Research Priorities,
61
Funding History of the NRI’s Six Divisions,
61
History of NRI Research Programs,
66
Analysis,
66
Research Opportunities,
69
Summary Findings,
69
Priority-Setting Process,
69
Research Priorities,
71
6.
ORGANIZATIONAL AND FUNDING ISSUES
73
Organizational Issues,
74
Location in USDA,
74
NRI Governance,
77
Chief Scientist,
77
Board of Directors,
78
Organization,
78
Funding Issues,
80
Total NRI Funding,
80
Size and Length of Grants,
81
Overhead Rates,
84
Summary Findings,
85
Organization,
85
Funding,
85
7.
RECOMMENDATIONS
87
The NRI’s Mission,
88
Research Accountability,
89
Priority-Setting and Organization,
90
Funding,
97
Summary of Recommendations,
100
Appendixes
A. Section 1615 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990
103
B. Survey on the US Department of Agriculture’s National Research Initiative (NRI) Competitive Grants Program
108
C. External Views of the NRI
112
D. Outline for Interviews (June 16, 1998) with USDA Professional Staff on Internal Workings of the NRI Program
141
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National Research Initiative: A Vital Competitive Grants Program in Food, Fiber, and Natural-Resources Research
E. Committee Members’ Experience with the National Research Initiative, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation
146
F. NRI Applications Funded
147
G. Contributions of NRI to Major Scientific Advances in Food, Fiber, and Natural-Resources System
148
H. Research Needs in Food, Fiber, and Natural Resources
170
I. Grant Performance Follow-on for Quality Evaluation
181
References
182
About the Authors
185
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National Research Initiative: A Vital Competitive Grants Program in Food, Fiber, and Natural-Resources Research
Tables, Figures, and Boxes
TABLES
Table 2–1
Aggregate Returns on Public Investments in Agricultural Research and Extension
24
Table 4–1
NRI Support of Postdoctoral Researchers
46
Table 4–2
Skills and Items Affected by Acquired Grant
47
Table 5–1
Summary of Congressionally-Mandated High-Priority Research Areas (1990)
63
Table 5–2
NRI Research Divisions and Stakeholders’ Needs
64
Table 5–3
Committee’s List of Emerging Research Issues
70
Table 6–1
NRI Funding Levels, 1991 to 1998
81
Table 6–2
History of Funding for Food, Fiber, and Natural-Resources Research in the USDA (in millions of dollars)
82
FIGURES
Figure 2–1
Food, Fiber, and Natural-Resources Research Expenditures in the United States, 1960–1996
27
Figure 2–2
Research Expenditures by Food and Fiber Industries 1960 and 1996
28
Figure 5–1
Congressional Appropriations for NRI Divisions and Special Initiatives, 1991–1997
64
Figure 5–2
NRI Programs, 1987–1998 (Gantt Chart)
67
Figure 6–1
Organization of Research at the US Department of Agriculture
75
Figure 6–2
Competitive Research Grants and Awards Management
76
Figure 6–3
National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Organization
79
Figure 7–1
Recommended Organization of USDA Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area
93
Figure 7–2
Recommended Organization of USDA Extramural Competitive Research Service (New NRI)
96
BOXES
Box 3–1
Ethanol from Biomass: An Example of a Significant Scientific Advancement from NRI Research
32
Box 3–2
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome: An Example of a Significant Scientific Advancement from NRI Research
34
Box 3–3
Reduction in Fertilizer Use Profits Farmers and the Environment: An Example of NRI Research with Great Promise
35
Box 3–4
Rules and Guidelines for Panel Composition
37
Box 4–1
Is It Basic or Is It Applied?
43
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National Research Initiative: A Vital Competitive Grants Program in Food, Fiber, and Natural-Resources Research
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