Published in Probe Volume 4(1-2): July 1993-July 1994
Dr. Ed Kaleikau, Program Director
National Research Initiative Competitive Grants
Cooperative State Research Services, USDA
Washington, D.C. 20250
In 1993, Congress appropriated $97.5 million for the National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program (NRICGP), of which $12.1 million was made available for Plant Genome Research. The Plants Division of the NRICGP in USDA's Cooperative State Research Service administers the plant genome grants. In addition to the NRICGP allocation, $3.67 million was appropriated to the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) for program management, setting targets for genome mapping research, and database development for agriculturally important plants. After program administration costs, the net amount available for all plant genome research totalled $15.1 million: $3.0 million for the ARS and $12.1 million for the NRICGP.
Mission-oriented research proposals that address the goal of improving agronomic qualities through genomic research were submitted to the NRICGP by scientists from the research community. Each proposal was peer-reviewed by experts in the area of genomic research and was judged on its scientific and technical merit, qualifications of proposed personnel, and relevance to sustainability and stated research objectives in the solicitation for proposals.
In 1993, the majority of plant genome funds supported awards made in two programs in the NRICGP Plant Division: the Plant Genome Program and the Plant Genetic Mechanisms Program. A small portion of funds also supported genome-related research in other NRICGP programs. Research projects being supported in FY 1993 are summarized in the accompanying tables. A total of 214 proposals were submitted to the program, and 91 awards were made to scientists from 34 states (See article "The Class of 1993 Plant Genome Grant Recipients" in this issue).
Nineteen agronomic, horticultural, and forest tree species are undergoing genetic and physical mapping procedures (table 1). Fifty-six genes and gene systems are being studied (table 2), as well as genetic phenomena in various plant species (table 3). Many new molecular techniques are being pursued (table 4). The data were supplied by the NRICGP staff, and compiled into tables by Dr. G.S. Smith and Dr. J.P. Miksche from ARS.