1a.Objectives (from AD-416)
To fund research projects, proposal development travel, and general program costs at the ISTC in support of the ARS - Former Soviet Union Scientific Cooperation Program. Funds originate from the Department of State and are used to engage former weapons scientists in the former Soviet Union (FSU) in peaceful, agricultural projects.

1b.Approach (from AD-416)
The ISTC will fund the Russian, Kazakh and Tajik sides of approved ARS research projects and provide oversight and coordination of these project. Individual projects will be implemented through individual project agreements signed by the ISTC, and FSU and ARS/EAD. ARS scientists from multiple locations will develop the proposals with FSU scientists and serve as collaborators throughout the life of the project.

3.Progress Report
This report serves to document research conducted under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between ARS and ISTC. The objective of the MOA is to fund research projects, proposal development travel, and general program costs at the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) in support of the ARS – Former Soviet Union Scientific Cooperation Program. Each year ARS receives funds from the Department of State Bio-Chem Redirect Program to engage former Soviet chemical and biological weapons (CBW) scientists to redirect their efforts to peaceful, agricultural research and help reduce the risk of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The ISTC implements and oversees these projects in several FSU republics. During FY07, ARS funded four new research projects through the ISTC between ARS and Russian and Tajik counterparts. In addition, ARS scientists are collaborating on 38 on-going research projects with counterparts in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. 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 FY2007, over 31 ARS scientists visited their counterparts in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan, and over 47 FSU scientists traveled to the U.S. or participated in international conferences from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan.