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America faces many serious challenges that can
only be solved through enhanced scientific research, extension, and
teaching: |
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Five years after 9/11, our food, water, land, and natural resource
systems remain extremely vulnerable to threats introduced
intentionally or inadvertently. |
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The twin crises of obesity and diabetes continue to rage unabated,
bringing unnecessary suffering to individuals and families and
imposing ever larger burdens on society. |
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With petroleum prices at sustained highs, there is an urgent need
for the next generation of biobased fuels and products (e.g.
cellulosic) and holistic production approaches. |
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What do these and hundreds of other challenges have in common? They
all rely upon leadership and funding from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. |
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Unfortunately, USDA faces two major impediments: (1) an
organizational structure lacking integration in many areas; and (2)
federal funding mechanisms and levels that have not kept pace with
inflation, let alone increased need. CREATE-21 addresses both of
these needs: |
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A new “National Institute” – integrating the agencies, programs,
and activities currently spread over the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Research, Education, and Economics mission area and
U.S. Forest Service R&D – will be created. |
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The Institute will be led by an eminent scientist/educator,
nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate for a
six-year term. |
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The Institute’s portfolio of programs will be collaboratively
determined by the Director and the Institute’s land-grant and
related university/institutional partners with recommendations
from a new National Stakeholder Advisory Council. |
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The portfolio will include robust intramural and extramural
research, extension, education, and international programs
(including peer-reviewed competitive grant programs). |
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The Institute will sustain and expand the capability of USDA to
carry out intramural (in-house) research programs and the
capability of land-grant and related universities to perform
extramural research, extension, education, and international
programs. |
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Capacity funding for the land-grant system (through traditional
formula funding mechanisms with matching requirements) will be
maintained and enhanced, with particular attention placed on
building infrastructure at minority-serving institutions. |
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However, competitive funding programs will be emphasized when it
comes to expanded funding; some 70 percent of new funds would be
directed to peer-reviewed, competitively-awarded grant programs. |
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At the end of seven years (assuming that all
authorized funds are appropriated), the ratio of competitive to
capacity funding would be 42/58 vs. the current ratio of 10/90. |
