News and Views

Vol.  2,  May 1997 

USDA SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

Purpose

The USDA Scientific Cooperation Program provides financial support for international cooperation in research efforts that benefit U.S. agriculture and forestry.  The Program promotes international cooperation on economically and environmentally sustainable agricultural and forestry systems to help secure safe and adequate food supplies.  Mutual benefit is attained through a variety of activities, from short-term exchange visits of U.S. and foreign scientists to longer-term collaborative research.  The Program supports cooperation between American and foreign researchers on projects directed at potential threats to U.S. agriculture and forestry, development of new technologies, and enhancement of  trade in foreign markets.

Who Can Participate

Scientists submitting proposals must be affiliated with a U.S. university, federal or state agency, or private non-profit organization.  U.S. scientists may collaborate with an appropriate research institution in any country with which the U.S. has diplomatic relations.

Program Administration

The Program is administered by the Research and Scientific Exchanges Division (RSED) of the Foreign Agricultural Service/International Cooperation and  Development (FAS/ICD).  The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) International Programs Division (IPD) manages the participation of NRCS employees in the Program.

Target Areas

The current high priority areas in agriculture and forestry:
 • New Food and Fiber Crops, and New Uses
 • Preservation and Characterization of Plant and Animal Germplasm
 • Techniques for Minimizing Use of Agricultural Chemicals
 • Agricultural Waste Management Strategies and Applications
 • Sustaining/Managing Fragile or Threatened Ecosystems
 • International Impacts on Domestic
  Agriculture and Forestry

Selection Criteria

Projects will be selected according to how well they meet the following:
 • Benefits to U.S. Agriculture and Forestry
 • Technical Merit
 • Clarity of Objectives
 • Feasibility of Work Plan
 • Qualifications of Staff

All proposals submitted under both programs must conform to established guidelines, which are available from NRCS/IPD, and must have supervisory clearance.  Guidelines are also available on Internet at www.reeusda.gov/whatnew/fas.htm.  Submit the original proposal with authorized signatures.  For research proposals, also submit the narrative on a 3.5” diskette (ASCII Text).

Send to:

 Cliff Doke, USDA/NRCS/IPD
 Room 4237, South Building
 P.O. Box 2890
 Washington, D.C.  20013
 Telephone: (202) 690-2212;
 Fax: (202) 720-0668;
 Email: cliff.doke@usda.gov

Author and Editor:  Gail C. Roane, International Programs Division, PO Box 2890, Washington DC 20013, USA; Tel: 1-202-690-2212; Fax: 1-202-720-0668

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