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ATTACHMENT 



"RESEARCH FACXUTIES PROGRAM - A PROPOSAL 



It b proposed that Concrcs citablUi • conipntHiyt fMiBtjr (laiili piosiiun imder the 

 antbority of the Research Facilities Act of 1963, as amoMled. Hie program should have two 

 nuyor componoits: 



L Comptfitive ficOity grants open to aO eBgfltle cooperating instituti ons. The larger 

 component of the program woold be alloratrd 80% of tlie anraOairie fimds. 



n. Competitive facility grants for smaDer or em er ging cooperating in s ti t u tio n s. This 

 component would be aDocated 20% of tlie available fimds. Institutions witiiin tliis 

 program would only compete with **"^"^ iiwliliitioas; however, the procedures and 

 other requirements would be tlie same as for the above componenL 



The total program siiould be a eoonfinatcd federal/state effort with an open, competitive 

 sdection process ttiat wiD embody the following principles: 



The program should indnde a system for rstahlldiing prio ri t y research areas and 



Solicitation of grant pr oposals diould provide equal opportunity for aO digible and 

 qualified institutions. 



Sdection sliould be on a competitive, merit review basis to assure scientific quality 

 and evidence of the institntional capacity and i imuni t m e n L 



All grants will require an equal match of iMm>fedetal ftands. 



Provision to assure **»»# smaOer or emerging institutions arc not excluded from the 

 program is made as noted in IL above. 



Because of the diversity and geographic distribution of agriculture, consideration of 

 unique commodity and geographic tactois may be c o n s ider ed in est a bl is hing 

 priorities and selection of projects. 



To implement the program witliin the above principles, it is proposed that: 



1. The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Joim Council on Food and 

 Agricultural Sciences, diaD devdop a ranked list of priority research areas in wlndi 

 there are significant shortages of research facilities or equipment in the system. 



