Overview of the USDA Biotechnology Risk

Assessment Grants Program

Deb Hamernik, PhDNational Program Leader, Animal Physiology

US Department of Agriculture

Cooperative State Research, Education, & Extension Service

dhamernik@csrees.usda.gov

July 2004

USDA Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants

Program

Program Contacts:Deb Hamernik, PhD; USDA-CSREES

John Radin, PhD; USDA-ARSNational 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 science- based 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

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

# Awards Total Program Budget ($ millions)

Analysis of the USDA Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants

Program:

1992 – 2002: 2003: 2004:

Average Award: $179,646 $280,900 $313,670

Average Duration: 32.9 34.1 36.0 (months)

Average $$/Year: $65,569 $99,141$104,560

Success Rate: NA 20% 20%