Examples of good CRIS reports

Goal 1: Enhance Economic Opportunities for Agricultural Producers

Objective 1.1 Provide information, knowledge, and education to help expand markets and reduce trade barriers

Objective 1.2 Support international economic development and trade capacity building
- KA606, Agro biotechnology in China: competitiveness impacts on U.S. soybean export markets, CRIS # 0202617

Objective 1.3 Provide science-based knowledge and technologies to generate new or improved high-quality products and processes to expand markets for the agricultural sector
- KA 511, Production of acrylates, (bio-based substitutes for hydrocarbon products), CRIS # 0196131

Objective 1.4 Provide science-based information, knowledge, and education to facilitate risk management by farmers and ranchers
- KA 402, Engineering solutions for sustainable aquaculture in Maine, CRIS # 0200419

Objective 1.5A Contribute science-based information, analysis, and education to promote the efficiency of agricultural production systems (plants)
- KA 206, Colloidal metal particles for high resolution biological labeling (nanotechnology?), CRIS # 0187000

Objective 1.5B Contribute science-based information, analysis, and education to promote the efficiency of agricultural production systems (animals)
- KA 303, Interpreting cattle genome data, CRIS # 0195320

Goal 2: Support Increased Economic Opportunities and Improved Quality of Life in Rural America

Objective 2.1 Expand economic opportunities in rural America by bringing scientific insights into economic and business decision making
- KAs 134,135, 901, Tools and information for improved management of Great Lakes' fisheries, CRIS # 0166562

Objective 2.2 Provide science-based technology, products, and information to facilitate informed decisions affecting the quality of life in rural areas
- KA 801, Asset Accumulation for Low-Wage Working Families, CRIS # 0189400
- KA 802, The Influence of Home and Child Care Environments on Toddler's Language and Literacy Skills, CRIS # 0201033

Goal 3: Enhance Protection and Safety of the Nation's Agriculture and Food Supply

Objective 3.1 Reduce the incidence of food-borne illnesses and contaminants through science-based knowledge and education 07/16/2007
KA 712, New technologies and programs to enhance safety and security of dairy products, CRIS # 0201092

Objective 3.2A Develop and deliver science-based information and technologies to reduce the number and severity of agricultural pest and disease outbreaks, (Plant protection)
- KAs 204, 211, Breeding vegetables for pest and stress tolerance, CRIS # 0060591

Objective 3.2B Develop and deliver science-based information and technologies to reduce the number and severity of agricultural pest and disease outbreaks, (Animal protection)
- KA 311, Emerging infectious diseases poultry, CRIS # 0175567

Goal 4: Improve the Nation's Nutrition and Health

Objective 4.1 Improve human health by better understanding the nutrient requirements of individuals and the nutritional value of foods
- KA 702, The impact of eliminating sodas in the school environment on the calorie and calcium intake of adolescents, CRIS # 0185078
- KA 702, N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and human health and disease, CRIS # 0194850

Objective 4.2 Promote healthier food choices and lifestyles
- KA 703, Food-store based program to improve diet and reduce risk for obesity & chronic disease, CRIS # 0202751

Goal 5: Protect and Enhance the Nation's Natural Resource Base and Environment

Objective 5.1 Provide science-based knowledge and education to improve the management of forest and rangeland
- KA 121/122, Response of a Missouri River breaks riparian ecosystem to prescribed fire, CRIS # 0192395

Objective 5.2 Provide science-based knowledge and education to improve the management of soil, air, and water resources to support production and enhance the environment
- KA 133/723, Hazardous substances, safeguard human and environmental health (security of people's safety and health and rapid responses to terrorist threats), CRIS # 0194236

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P&A Draft Criteria for Exemplary CRIS reports:

Accurate coding of applicable knowledge area(s)
Title conveys content and relevance both to the public and to scientists
Clear statement of the project objectives, identifying national problem and intelligible both to the public and to scientists in relevant disciplines
Coherent statement of the steps to be used to address the problem
Project overview and objectives directly linked to the outcomes and impacts
Informative statement of progress to date reported
Concrete description of actual or planned project outcomes and relation to longer-term outcomes (a/k/a impacts), relating them to initial national problem and to progress useful for scientists in relevant disciplines for future efforts.
Publications and other products listed relate directly to the funded research (and ideally give an Internet link or other source).

To be sought:

Reports that provide useful information for program management, planning future RFAs, and evaluation of progress towards solving national problems.
Relevant, good quality, well-performing project outcomes.
(Note: Outcomes are more than publications. Research publications can serve as markers that illustrate how far work in a particular area has progressed – but publications are better used if results are picked up by other scientists, developed, taught, used in extension programs, etc.)

To be avoided:

Abstract statements of progress and/or outcomes that leave it unclear as to whether and how the project has actually progressed.
Outcomes and impacts missing, or expressed only in the future tense throughout the duration of the project.
Long lists of (possibly only tangentially relevant?) citations to publications

Last Updated: 07/16/2007