4d.Progress report.
This report serves to document research conducted under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between ARS and ISTC. The purpose of the MOA is to fund research projects, proposal development travel and general program costs to support the ARS – Former Soviet Union Scientific Cooperation Program, specifically in Russia, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. Each year ARS receives funding from the Department of State Bio/Chem Redirect Program to engage former biological and chemical weapons scientists in the former Soviet Union (FSU) in peaceful, agricultural research. The ISTC implements and oversees these projects in several FSU republics.

During FY2006, ARS funded 16 research projects through the ISTC between ARS and Russian, Kazakh or Tajik counterparts. Funded research projects involve strategic institutes such as the Scientific Research Agricultural Institute and the Institute of Industrial Biotechnology in Kazakhstan; the Russian Research Institute of Phytopathology, the Federal Center for Animal Health and the State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology in Russia; and the Institute of Chemistry in Tajikistan. The ISTC also provides logistical support for ARS scientists traveling to Russia, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan including the sponsorship of visas through the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In addition, ISTC funds the international travel for FSU scientists traveling to the U.S. to develop new proposals, discuss on-going projects or participate in international conferences. In FY2006, ARS staff conducted over 30 visits to Russia, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, and over 50 FSU scientists traveled to the U.S. or participated in international conferences from Russia, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.