1. Update: Specialty Crop Research Initiative Daniel L. Schmoldt National Program Leader

2. SCRI Legislation $230 million in mandatory funding 2008-2012 Research and extension Priority given to multi-state and multi-institutional projects, and to projects that contain explicit mechanisms to communicate results to producers and the public Address the critical needs of the specialty crop industries by developing and disseminating science-based tools to address needs of specific crops and their regions 100% non-federal match requirement

3. SCRI Legislation Five focus areas (10% of funds in each area) Research in plant breeding, genetics, and genomics to improve crop characteristics Efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases, including threats to specialty crop pollinators Efforts to improve production efficiency, productivity, and profitability over the long term (including specialty crop policy and marketing) New innovations and technology, including improved mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening Methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control, and respond to potential food safety hazards in the production and processing of specialty crops, including fresh produce

4. SCRI Program Sustainability is the foundation of the program Applications must document how a holistic approach to sustainability is achieved Whole-systems approaches required Trans-disciplinary teams (biological, physical, and socio-economic disciplines) Stakeholder driven objectives, and involvement throughout the life of the project (advisory boards)

5. SCRI 2008 Results 231 applications reviewed using three panels ($266 million requested) $28.4 million awarded to 27 projects (9 planning grants) 31% success rate for planning grants, 9% for other grants For all grants, $1M mean/$500K median award For non-planning grants, $1.5M mean/$1M median award For all awards, 60% of funds retained by lead institutions Project TypesAwards CAP5 SDP3 RPI1 eX0 SREP9 Planning9

6. SCRI 2008 Results

8. 3 1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 1 3 NJ 3 MD 3 2 2 22 2 2 4 4 4 1 2 5 5 3 9 6 8 ARS 11 (6 lead) 5

9. SCRI 2009 Approx. $47.3 million available Application deadline was April 15 2009 RFA was very similar to 2008 Priority topics within each mandated focus area Funding boundaries relaxed 277 applications received Over 40% waited until the last day

10. The Review Process The first part of the process is the administrative review Applicant eligibility Application pertains to program All essential elements of application present Evidence of matching funds If these criteria are met, application is accepted for peer review and notification sent with a CSREES proposal number The second part of the process is a peer review

11. Other SCRI News & Info New Program Specialist hire will focus on SCRI First Project Directors Meeting in 2010 On the lecture circuit with Sanjiv Singh Examine projects of past awardees (http://cris.csrees.usda.gov/ Grant No. = scri)http://cris.csrees.usda.gov/