History
In 1998, the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) initiated a program designed to provide opportunities for scientific cooperation between ARS scientists and scientists in research institutes of the Former Soviet Union (FSU) countries. The objectives are:
· To advance agricultural science by establishing new expertise in FSU countries.
· To enhance the effectiveness and productivity of ARS research programs.
· To improve the economy of FSU countries through advances in agricultural technology.
· To reduce the threat of biological weapon (BW) development and usage in the world.
Program Philosophy
· Establish collaborative, mutually beneficial research projects.
· Develop proposals jointly (principal investigators from FSU & ARS).
· Maintain substantial contact between ARS & FSU scientists.
Program Model
The program endeavors to foster close cooperation between ARS and FSU scientists. Project ideas may come from either side, but the final project is developed jointly. There are several steps in this process:
· Identify candidate institutes and project areas through site visits and written proposals initiated by individual FSU or ARS scientists.
· Identify potential partnerships based on proposals received and prioritize and select projects for further development.
· Coordinate projects with the ARS National Research Program.
· Arrange a short term visit of the FSU scientist to the ARS partner scientist to develop the full project proposal following International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) format for proposals with Russia and Kazakhstan and Science and Technology Center (STCU) format for proposals with Uzbekistan.
· Submit fully developed projects for review by the appropriate administrative authorities in the FSU country and by a U.S. Department of State-led interagency group.
· Review and implement approved projects through the ISTC or STCU (whichever is appropriate).
· Evaluate project performance through reports and yearly exchange visits between the ARS and FSU collaborators.
· Consider extensions of existing projects in competition with new projects.
· Approve projects contingent upon availability of funds.
ARS Selection Criteria
The major considerations used by ARS to select projects for preliminary and final funding are as follows:
· The project will engage scientists from a former BW institute in Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan or Ukraine.
· The project will advance ARS mission and program (importance of topic, quality of proposal).
· The project has the potential to be truly interactive.
· The project has a good probability of success and sustainability (publications, products).
· The principal investigators are effective, committed, and willing to participate in exchange visits.
· The facilities (including animal welfare) are adequate and appropriate to accomplish the objectives of the project.
Questions and Answers
How does the FSU scientist communicate interest to ARS?
FSU scientists and laboratory administrators may send preliminary proposals (2 pages) listing the title, principal investigators, objectives, and a brief description of the approach including any special technology that will be employed. A budget may be included, but is not necessary at this stage. These proposals should be forwarded to the ARS, Office of International Research Programs.
Alternatively, FSU scientists may make informal contacts with counterpart scientists in ARS to explore mutual interests on a particular research problem. Such discussions may lead to the development of a preliminary proposal, which should be submitted as described above.
What happens after the proposal is submitted?
Proposals are reviewed periodically by ARS depending on the availability of funds. Proposals that complement ARS programs are sent to appropriate ARS scientists. Proposals of interest to ARS scientists are then subjected to an internal review process. If a proposal is selected for further development, the ARS scientist will contact the FSU counterpart to discuss the work. If there is mutual interest, the ARS scientist will arrange for the FSU scientist to visit so that the final proposal can be jointly developed.
How is the program administered? Whom should I contact?
Program administration is provided by ARS’ Office of International Research Programs, located in Beltsville, MD.
Program Managers
:
Ms. Melanie Peterson
Ms. Deborah Yeadon
Scientific Advisor:
Dr. Richard Witter, email: witterR@msu.edu
Proposal Templates:
FSU Pre-Proposal Template (English version)
FSU Pre-Proposal Template (Russian version)
Companion Proposal Format for ARS Scientists
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