NIFA gathers stakeholder input and information to identify priorities for new grant programs and/or to modify priorities for existing grant programs, as described in their Requests for Applications (RFA). A stakeholder is anyone who conducts or uses agricultural research, education, and extension. Input is used to meet the requirements of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998.

NIFA gathers input from any individual, and specifically from commodity groups, industry, inter-agency Federal work groups, the National Academy of Sciences, non-governmental organizations, scientific societies, and university partners.

Stakeholder input is obtained in several ways. Input is solicited in all NIFA RFAs. NIFA also conducts stakeholder listening sessions or workshops, some as stand-alone events, some in conjunction with national scientific meetings. NIFA staff also gathers stakeholder information from other government and private sector events and publications.

Stakeholder Input Sources: Biotechnology & Genomics

Past:

Presidential Priority for 2009: American Competitiveness Initiative
A Science Roadmap for Agriculture, Update 2006,National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant College (NASULGC) and Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP). Discussion of the scientific feasibility to meet the needs of diverse groups of stakeholders.
A Science Roadmap for Agriculture Survey, May 2005, National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant College (NASULGC) and Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP). Survey of diverse stakeholder groups to develop the priorities for the next five years.
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Stakeholder Hearing Transcript - Hearing held on September 10, 2008 at the NIFA Waterfront Building.
Animal Biotechnology: Science -Based Concerns, National Academy Press. Potential risks associated with advances in animal biotechnology.
BFRDP Stakeholder Input Meeting. Transcript of stakeholder hearing on the Beginning Farmer and Ranchers Development Program (BFRDP) held on October 27, 2008 in Washington, DC.
Enhancing Regulatory Communication of Microbial Biopesticides and Transgenic Insects, Washington, DC. Discussion among participants from regulatory agencies, academia, and industry on the regulatory issues affecting the microbial, transgenic, and paratransgenic research communities.
Environmental Effects of Transgenic Plants, National Academy Press. Summary of experts' opinions on the positive and negative impact of transgenic crops on agriculture.
Genetically Modified Pest-Protected Plants, National Academy Press. Information on the risks and benefits of crops that are genetically modified for pest resistance. Risks and benefits of genetically modified crops for pest resistance and the need for establishing an appropriate regulatory framework.
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board. Organization contributing to effective federal agricultural research, education and education programs through broad stakeholder feedback and sound science in its ongoing role as advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture.
Public Research and the Regulatory Review of Small-Market (Specialty) Biotechnology-Derived Crops Workshop Proceedings. Recommendations for action to address biotechnology-derived crop issues.

See all stakeholder input pages