Mission:
The National Programs Staff (NPS) is the principal organizational component of ARS which, in accordance with the ARS plan, assesses the full spectrum of scientific needs of the Agency, the resources available for reassignment, and program areas which lack resources or which should be terminated. The NPS develops, for the Administrator, options and recommendations for resource allocations and the Budget Division develops those selected into Departmental budget proposals. The NPS adjusts the ARS Six-Year Implementation Plan based on Executive, Congressional, and Agency priorities. The NPS selects research programs to be implemented and recommends allocations of Agency resources accordingly. This includes distribution of base funds, lapse salary funds, and program increases to research units.