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Contents 



Preface. 



Executive Summary 1 



Urgency for Change, 1 

 The Proposal, 3 

 Rationale for the Proposal, S 

 Fiscal Realities, 7 

 Conclusion, 8 



The Proposal 10 



An Expanded Public Investment, 1 1 

 Program Areas and ScientiHc Scope, 12 

 Types of Grants, 13 

 Attention to Multidisciplinary 



Research, 14 

 Strengthen Institutions and Human 



Resources, 14 

 Size and Duration of Support, IS 



Rationale for the Proposal 17 



A Federal Initiative, 17 

 • A $500 Million Increase, 20 

 Support with New Money, 28 

 A Central Role for USDA, 32 

 The Role of Competitive Grants, 34 

 Attention to Multidisciplinary 



Research, 39 

 Strengthen Institutions and Human 



Resources, 41 



Challenges Facing the Research System . . 

 Competitiveness and Economic 



Performance, 42 

 Human Health and Weil-Being, 48 

 Natural Resources Stewardship, S2 



.42 



5 Program Areas and Scientinc 

 Opportunities 57 



Program Areas, 57 

 Plant Systems, 58 

 Animal Systems, 61 

 Nutrition, Food Quality, and 



Health, 63 

 Natural Resources and the 



Environment, 69 

 Engineering, Products, and Processes, 76 

 Markets, Trade, and Policy, 79 

 Relationship between Program Areas 



and Recognized Priorities, 81 

 Relationships among the Six Major 



Program Areas, Scientific Disciplines, 



and National Priorities, 81 

 Science and Technology Budget 



Priorities, 84 

 Conclusion, 86 



6 Institutional and Administrative Issues 87 



Program's Location in USDA, 87 



Program Transitions, 89 



Need to Manage for Multidisciplinary 



Success, 91 

 Program Evaluation and 



Accountability, 92 



APPENDIXES 



A Public and Private Sector Programs and 



Funding Trends 95 



B Private Sector Research Activities and 



Prospects 



Charles M. Benbrook 



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