Science Policy Report | Dec 7, 2022 | USDA Announcements, Call for Feedback on Conservation Funding

December 7, 2022 - Rachel K. Owen

Here’s what you’ll find in this newsletter:

A few big things happening in Washington, DC and beyond.
Hot off the press statements and activities from the ASA, CSSA, and SSSA science policy office
Engagement opportunities to help you build advocacy skills. Look for the plant symbol for other calls to action throughout the newsletter.
New reports and articles with policy-relevant scientific findings.
Funding alerts to power your research with tips for creating more effective proposals.

Let’s dive in.

A new Agricultural Science Center of Excellence

Overheard at USDA: U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new Agricultural Science Center of Excellence for Nutrition and Diet for Better Health (ASCEND for Better Health).

This new virtual center will accelerate research on diet-related chronic diseases, including cancer.
A long-term goal of the center is to translate research into impactful solutions that improve public health and wellbeing, particularly in underserved communities.
USDA is enhancing its research focus on precision nutrition science to allow us to better understand the needs of underserved communities.
This research complements other programmatic efforts to advance food and nutrition security – which means consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe and affordable foods essential to optimal health and well-being.

On the Hill: As the December 16 funding deadline approaches, Congress' top priority for the lame-duck session will be the passage of the FY2023 Omnibus appropriations bill.

Last week, President Biden met with Congressional leaders to reach an agreement to work toward the passage of an omnibus, in the hopes of avoiding the need to pass another stopgap funding bill.
Top appropriators, Sens. Leahy (D-VT) and Shelby (R-AL), are working through negotiations on a topline funding level, trying to reach an agreement so other details of the package can be determined.
Track the latest funding numbers on our FY23 Funding Chart.

Call for comments on USDA conservation programs

Seeking Public Comment: We need your feedback as we develop ASA, CSSA, and SSSA public comments for upcoming issues. If you have experience working with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on implementing conservation goals, providing technical assistance, or conducting on-farm research, share your thoughts on how they can spend the $20 billion appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Fill out our survey by Friday, December 9

Apply for Congressional Visits Day Awards

Apply for CVD Awards: Our annual Congressional Visits Day (CVD) gives ASA, CSSA and SSSA members an opportunity to engage with Capitol Hill and show the value and impact of research funding. The 2023 Congressional Visits Day will be held on Feb 27-28, 2023. We are excited to provide greater numbers of Society members with an opportunity to learn and engage in advocacy! Apply for awards today!

Share Feedback with NIFA: As part of NIFA’s Grants Modernization Initiative, they are examining NIFA’s current external facing grants management system capabilities and exploring two new grants management solutions – eRA and GrantSolutions. If you have any comments, questions or concerns about NIFA’s current grants managements systems or the grants management systems NIFA is considering adopting in the future (eRA or GrantSolutions), please send them to Send Message.

1 big thing: It's been 1 month!

We’re celebrating! Today marks the end of Decode 6’s first month as a shiny new website, but it’s just the beginning of our educational journey. New articles, videos, podcast episodes, and explainers are rolling out on the site all the time.

Did you know? Decode 6 explainers take tough issues and break them down into unbiased, factual, two-page briefs in PDF format, ready for you to share.

One fun thing: In our first explainer, the ASA-CSSA-SSSA Science Policy Staff walks us through the need for a centralized, nationwide infrastructure for collecting information about ecosystem services practices and benefits.

Check it out!

From our blogs:

Upcoming funding and award opportunities