Dear Colleagues,
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Biological Sciences Directorate (BIO), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the UK's Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) have established a joint funding opportunity to support the development of breakthrough technologies that will enable significant advances in crop breeding. This opportunity aims to make high impact changes in the ability to translate basic knowledge of plant genomics to practical outcomes in crops of economic importance to the participating countries.
The opportunity is soliciting Early Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) proposals. Topic areas include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Advancing genome editing technology to generate new phenotypes for greater genetic gain
- Achieving reliable and high throughput production of doubled haploids from genotypes that are currently recalcitrant to chromosome doubling to accelerate the breeding process in cereals and other crops
- Controlling and understanding meiotic recombination to tap into inaccessible genetic resources in areas of low recombination and enabling whole genome manipulation
- Modifying epigenetic inheritance to facilitate phenotypic changes related to environmental responses
- Understanding mechanisms of heterosis, thereby generating and exploiting hybrid vigor for crop improvement
International collaboration between US and UK investigators is encouraged, but not required. For collaborative US/UK EAGER projects, BBSRC will fund UK researchers up to £200,000 and NSF or NIFA will fund US researchers up to $300,000 including indirect costs. US only EAGERS are limited to $300,000 total including indirect costs. The project period is limited to 2 years.
Those interested in applying are required to submit a two-page project summary to bttpitch@nsf.gov by March 14, 2018 at 5:00 PM PST. Please see these guidelines for additional requirements. Investigators will be invited to submit a full proposal.
Please contact the Office of Contracts and Grants should you have interest in applying.
Thank you.
Kathleen Nolan, Director, ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)