Funding Opportunities for the Western IPM Center

Biotechnology Competitive Grants Programs: Deadlines February 8 and February 24, 2005

Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS): February 8, 2005

The Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS) Biotechnology and Biodiversity Interface (BBI) 2005 Competitive Grants Program is accepting pre-proposals. The deadline is February 8, 2005.

Biosafety systems are key to responsible decision making regarding the use of genetically modified plants and other organisms. Appropriate use of the products of biotechnology may help countries, especially in the developing world, to meet national goals for agricultural production and food security, public health, biodiversity conservation and economic growth. The Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS) supports partner countries as they develop the policy and legal framework, adminisrative procedures, technically qualified personnel and outreach mechanisms integral to their national biosafety systems. PBS work emphasizes sound science-based decision making and research, while also addressing socioeconomic considerations.

For more information, see Web site.

Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program: February 24, 2005

The FY 2005 Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants Program requests applications. The deadline is February 24, 2005.

The purpose of the USDA Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants (BRAG) Program is to assist federal regulatory agencies in making science-based decisions about the effects of introducing genetically modified organisms into the environment. Investigations of effects on both managed and natural environments are relevant.

Applications to the USDA BRAG Program must  seek partial funding for a conference or address one of the following areas:

1. Identify and develop practices to minimize risks associated with genetically engineered organisms;
2. Research methods to monitor the dispersal of genetically engineered organisms;
3. Research to increase knowledge about the characteristics, rates, and methods of gene transfer that may occur between genetically engineered organisms, and related organisms;
4. Perform assessments to provide analysis which compares impacts of organisms modified through genetic engineering to other types of production systems;
5. Other areas of research designed to further the purposes of the USDA BRAG program. See RFA for details.