Overview of the USDA
Biotechnology Risk Assessment
Grants Program
Deb Hamernik, PhD
National Program Leader, Animal Physiology
US Department of Agriculture
Cooperative State Research, Education, & Extension Service
[email protected]
July 2004
USDA Biotechnology Risk Assessment
Research Grants Program
Program Contacts:
Deb Hamernik, PhD; USDA-CSREES
John Radin, PhD; USDA-ARS
National Program Leader, Plant Physiology & Cotton
www.reeusda.gov/crgam/biotechrisk/biotech.htm
USDA Biotechnology Risk Assessment
Research Grants Program:
• Competitive grants program
• Authorized in 1990 Farm Bill
• All United States public or private
research or educational institutions or
organizations are eligible.
• Since 1992, ~$20.97 million awarded
through 111 grants
USDA Biotechnology Risk Assessment
Research Grants Funding:
• 1990-2002:
• “…at least 1% withholdings from biotechnology outlays
in USDA…”
• FY2002: ~$1.5 million
• Limited to “risk assessment”
• 2002 Farm Bill:
• “…at least 2% withholdings from biotechnology outlays
in USDA…”
• FY2003: ~$3.37 million
• Includes “risk management”
USDA Biotechnology Risk Assessment
Research Grants Program:
• Purpose:
• “…to assist Federal regulatory agencies in
making science-based decisions about the
safety of introducing into the environment
genetically modified organisms, including
animals, plants, and microorganisms.”
FY2004 Research Priorities:
(1)
Identify and develop appropriate
management practices to minimize
physical and biological risks associated
with genetically engineered animals,
plants, and microorganisms
FY2004 Research Priorities:
(2) Develop methods to monitor the
dispersal of genetically engineered
animals, plants, and microorganisms
FY2004 Research Priorities:
(3) To further knowledge of the
characteristics, rates and methods
of gene transfer that may occur
between genetically engineered
animals, plants, and microorganisms
and related wild and agricultural
organisms
FY2004 Research Priorities:
(4) Environmental assessment research
designed to provide analysis which
compares the relative impacts of
animals, plants, and microorganisms
modified through genetic engineering
to other types of production systems
FY2004 Research Priorities:
(5) Other relevant areas of research
– Non-target effects
– Herbicide resistance management
– Effects of genetically engineered
plants with “stacked” genes
FY2004 Priorities:
(6)
Conferences designed to bring together
scientists, regulators, and other
stakeholders to review the sciencebased data relevant to science-based
risk assessment/management of
genetically-modified organisms released
into the environment
USDA Biotechnology Risk Assessment
Research Grants Program:
Will NOT support:
-food safety risk assessment
-human/animal health effects
-social or economic issues
-clinical trials
-commercial product development
-product marketing strategies
Review Criteria:
•
Scientific Merit
•
Relevance to Risk Assessment/Risk
Management and Federal Regulation of
Agricultural Biotechnology
•
Investigators & Institutional Capabilities
Funding Statistics
# Awards
Total Program Budget ($ millions)
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
19
92
19
93
19
94
19
95
19
96
19
97
19
98
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
0
Analysis of the USDA Biotechnology Risk
Assessment Research Grants Program:
1992 – 2002:
$179,646
2003:
$280,900
2004:
$313,670
Average Duration:
(months)
32.9
34.1
36.0
Average $$/Year:
$65,569
$99,141
Average Award:
Success Rate:
NA
20%
$104,560
20%