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Investing in the National Research Initiative An Update of the Competitive Grants Program in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (1994) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-6

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From page 1...
... First, the competitive position of the United States, and particularly its food and fiber industries, would erode in a liberalized trading environment in the absence of market expansion and increases in productivity (i.e., gains in output achieved with fewer inputs)
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From page 2...
... Federal intramural agricultural research, state formula funding of agricultural research, and special grants to specific institutions for narrowly defined uses are three other parts of the USDA research program portfolio. However, the board believes competitive grants are best suited to stimulating new fundamental research activities in specific areas of science.
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From page 3...
... Although the board believed it was too soon to conduct a detailed or comprehensive evaluation of the NRI, it sought a range of opinions on the NRI's management and goals as a way of conducting informed deliberations on the possibilities for continued enhancement of the NRI. The board has taken particular note of the impediments to the NRI's growth, or the aspects of program management that might warrant strengthening, and of its support for national goals for agricultural research.
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From page 4...
... Several opportunities now exist, however, to make the NRI more accountable, effective, and relevant. The board recommends that USDA research and NRI program managers pursue additional opportunities for improvement by making more systematic evaluation of program performance, redoubling efforts to promote multidisciplinary research, and continuing to assure the relevance of the NRI grant agenda to national goals.
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From page 5...
... Refinements of the requests for grant proposals and in the selection of peer reviewers will expedite integration of disciplines into work in every program area. In carrying out the mandate to pursue research to support a sustainable food andfiber system, the board recommends that the USDA research managers continue to seek a better understanding of the relationship between individual research projects and attainment of national goals.
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Key Terms

  • usda research
  • agricultural research
  • multidisciplinary research
  • nri program
  • farm bill

  • state formula
  • promote multidisciplinary
  • international trade
  • board recommends
  • multidisciplinary teams

  • nri grant
  • allowing adjustment
  • funds devoted
  • national initiative
  • goal originally

  • teams pursuing
  • scientific opportunity
  • socioeconomic terms
  • systematic evaluation
  • originally established

  • grant types
  • define key
  • program casts
  • agreements negotiated
  • proposal review

  • program performance
  • key performance
  • permitting participation
  • including participation
  • remains considerable


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