AFRI Commits $800 Million for New Grants

This spring, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture will request applications for the 2010 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).

This year, grants will be larger and last longer than in the past. Projects are expected to achieve significant and measurable outcomes and goals in “societal challenge” areas that include keeping U.S. agriculture competitive, improving food safety, securing our energy future through renewable biofuels, and mitigating and adapting agriculture to variations in climate.

IPM projects are highly relevant to many of AFRI’s priority areas, which include plant health and production; animal health and production; food safety, nutrition, and health; renewable energy, natural resources, and environment; agriculture systems and technology; and agriculture economics and rural communities.

Up to $5 million will go toward pre- and postdoctoral fellowships aimed at cultivating the next generation of agricultural scientists, educators, and practitioners.

The Northeastern IPM Center encourages integrated pest management for reducing risks to human health and the environment.

If reprinting this article, please acknowledge the source: "From Northeast IPM Insights, Winter 2010."
We also invite you to link to our website: http://NortheastIPM.org.