The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service New Dean/Director/Administrator and National Program Leader Orientation December 12-14, 2006
CSREES MISSION To advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well being, and communities
VISION Agriculture is a knowledge-based, global enterprise, sustained by the innovation of scientists and educators.
FUNCTION 1 Program leadership to identify, develop, and manage programs to support university-based and other institutional research, education, and extension activities
FUNCTION 2 Fair, effective, and efficient administration of Federal assistance implementing research, education, and extension awards and agreements
Equal Opportunity Staff Budget Office Communications Staff Science Policy/ Legislative Affairs Office of the Administrator Planning and Accountability Competitive Programs Office of Extramural Programs Plant and Animal Systems Natural Resources and Environment Science and Education Resources Development Information Systems and Technology Management Economic and Community Systems Families, 4-H, and Nutrition
The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service Food and Agriculture Defense Initiative, Bio-energy, and Other Issues of Interest Ralph Otto, Deputy Administrator, Plant and Animal Systems
The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service Working Lands, Air, and Water Ecosystems in action and service Dan Kugler, Deputy Administrator, Natural Resources and Environment
The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service Human Dimensions of Agriculture Franklin E. Boteler, Deputy Administrator, Economic and Community Systems Mary McPhail Gray, Deputy Administrator, Families, 4-H and Nutrition
The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service A Renewed Partnership: CSREES Liaisons to the States and Territories Mary McPhail Gray, Deputy Administrator, Families, 4-H and Nutrition
What we ll discuss Program background Program value Liaison responsibilities Liaison resources Reporting and evaluating The journey Seminar series Feedback Summary thought
Background 2003: Idea emerged from the CSREES Land- Grant University Partnership Group Enhance dialogue between CSREES and land grant institutions 2004: Supported by the Partnership Steering Committee and CSREES administration 2005: CSREES developed assignments, planning committee 2005: Announced at NASULGC Annual Meeting 2006: Progress report at NASULGC
Value to CSREES Increased trust in the partnership More informed dialogue within the agency regarding partner needs and perspectives Increased participation of underrepresented groups in agency programs More effective leadership by NPLs
Value to partners Increased trust in the partnership Knowledgeable POC and support for doing business with CSREES More rapid, informed reviews of Plans of Work Enhanced dialogue on impact of CSREES policies on partnership Current examples of partner program impacts for reporting to Congress
CSREES liaison responsibilities Establish meaningful dialogues with key university personnel via: Introductory letters Teleconference with university administrators and faculty Presentations and meetings at campuses Contact at professional meetings E-mail and phone communication
CSREES liaison responsibilities (cont) Review and feedback on institution Plans of Work Feedback to agency on partner issues, needs, and impacts Plan of study to increase understanding of the CSREES/institution relationship
Resources for NPL liaisons Deputy-led regional meetings/consultations Experience of CSREES staff in institutional reviews Previous Plans of Work Regional Executive Directors- Extension and Research Institution Web sites Personal relationships in agency, states CSREES partnership seminar series
Reporting and evaluating Liaisons should keep regional deputy and supervisory deputy informed Liaison should use information from this role in all responsibilities Regular regional meetings will cover experiences, issues CSREES Executive Council will seek updates, suggestions
NPL liaison journey Process of increasing knowledge, trust Accepting the challenge of new learning Problem solving and creative thinking
CSREES NPL Liaison Seminar topics - past Technology resources Variations in university structures Formula/competitive funding relationships Plan of Work/One Solution resources 1994 Land Grant resources and authorities
CSREES NPL Liaison Seminar topics - future Critical topics discussion with Dr. Hefferan 1890 Land Grant resources and authorities 4-H Positive Youth Development research, legal authorities, and program critical elements
Liaison feedback 15/16 are Motivated and Highly Satisfied with interaction Frustration over no response from communication to campuses
System feedback Liaison failure to communicate with all administrators Lack of clear purpose and agenda for visits Too much concentration on NPL s own discipline/program interests Appreciation for program
Summary A positive thoughtful endeavor; imperfect-formative-creative
Send ideas, critiques to: chefferan@csrees.usda.gov mgray@csrees.usda.gov
CSREES Web site State liaison-related url: www.csrees.usda.gov/business/other. html
The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service Customer Service Satisfaction Survey Larry R. Miller Acting Associate Administrator
What we ll discuss Survey overview Results for administrators Results for business officers Results for grant applicants/recipients Recommendations related to administrators
Customers surveyed & response rate Administrators 819 surveys sent 221 responses (27%) Business officers 168 surveys sent 86 responses (51%) Grant applicants/recipients 5,303 surveys sent 1,023 responses (24%)
Who are the administrators Cooperative extension system administrators/directors Experiment stations directors International program directors Deans of veterinary medicine Deans of schools of forestry State directors of family and consumer science
Who are the administrators (cont) Board of human sciences 4-H state directors Deans of academic programs Administrative heads of agriculture American Association Of State Colleges Of Agriculture And Renewable Resources deans 1994 land-grant institution presidents Hispanic-serving institution presidents
Administrator scores by satisfaction driver Coordination/Leadership in Areas of National Need Grant Application, Review and Post Award Management Workforce Competencies and Responsiveness Collaboration, Working Relationships, and Communications 61 65 73 64 Service to All Americans 73
Who are the business officers? Primary contacts for Evans-Allen (Research and Extension) McIntire-Stennis Animal Health Hatch Smith-Lever Tribal College Endowment Program
Business officer scores by satisfaction driver Coordination/Leadership in Areas of National Need Grant Application, Review and Post Award Management Workforce Competencies and Responsiveness Collaboration, Working Relationships, and Communications 64 64 72 70 Service to All Americans 79
Who are grant applicants/recipients? Individuals from 1862 (sample), 1890 and 1994 Land Grant Institutions AK and HI Native-Serving, Hispanic- Serving Institutions Public secondary/post-secondary schools USDA and other federal agencies Non-land grant schools
Who are grant applicants/recipients? (cont) Businesses Foundations (university and nonuniversity) Recipients of Hatch (Sample), McIntire- Stennis, Animal Health and Evans-Allen Funds Declined applicants (sample)
Grant applicant/recipient scores by satisfaction driver Coordination/Leadership in Areas of National Need Grant Application, Review and Post Award Management Workforce Competencies and Responsiveness Collaboration, Working Relationships, and Communications 59 66 76 65 Service to All Americans 76
Administrators Implementation Team recommendations, March, 2006 Broaden Partnership Working Group membership Expand accountability measures emphasis on demonstrating base funding benefits Increased opportunities for collaborative priority setting Launch CSREES NPL Liaisons program
Administrators Implementation Team recommendations, March, 2006 (cont) Provide annual summaries of issues/trends identified during CSREES-led program reviews Identify and communicate critical science and education issues and priorities Enhance public awareness of CSREES and partner institutions Increase CSREES visibility within USDA Improve usefulness of CSREES databases
Administrators Implementation Team recommendations, March, 2006 (cont) Recommendations discussed during the July Partnership Working Group meeting Implementation initiated by LGU system and CSREES Implementation status reported, discussed at the November Partnership Working Group meeting
The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service Competitive Programs Dr. Anna Palmisano, Deputy Administrator, Competitive Programs
What we ll discuss CSREES mission and USDA strategic goals Peer review Individual funding programs Stakeholder input We ve gone electronic
CSREES mission To advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well being, and communities. Competitive Programs supports mission relevant, high priority research and integrated programs
USDA strategic goals Enhance international competitiveness of American agriculture Enhance competitiveness and stability of rural and farm economics Increase economic opportunities and improved quality of life in rural America Enhance protection and safety of the Nation s agriculture and food supply Improve the Nation s nutrition and health Protect and enhance the Nation s natural resources and environment
Peer Review: A Hallmark of Competitive Programs Rigorous peer review selects proposals of highest merit Review performed by experts in research, extension and education Evaluation criteria include: Scientific merit Qualifications Facilities Project planning & management Relevance
National Research Initiative: USDA s Largest Competitive Program Basic and applied research Integrated activities (research, education and/or extension) Biological, physical, social sciences Single discipline and interdisciplinary One investigator or teams Broad eligibility
Types of NRI Proposals Standard grants (research and integrated) Conferences Agricultural Research Enhancement Awards (some restrictions apply) New Investigator Awards Post-doctoral Fellowships Strengthening Awards Coordinated Agricultural Projects
FY2007 NRI program clusters Agricultural Biosecurity and Agricultural Genomics Agricultural Production and Value- Added Processing Nutrition, Food Safety and Quality Agro-ecosystems
Interagency Collaboration Collaborations are key, because they: Leverage tight budgets Minimize overlap Enhance coordination NPLs actively participate in interagency working groups under the President s National Science and Technology Council
Community Food Program Meet the food needs of low-income people Increase self-reliance in meeting food needs Promote comprehensive responses to food, farm and nutrition issues
Biotechnology Risk Assessment Program (BRAG) Identify and develop management practices to minimize potential risks associated with genetically engineered animals, plants and microorganisms Assist Federal regulatory agencies in making science-based decisions about introducing GMOs into the environment
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Research for the development of a profit-making technology, product or service Two phase program - feasibility and development $80,000 (Phase I)/$300,000 (Phase II) Small businesses of 500 employees or less Government-wide 2.5% set-aside of USDA extramural funding for research
Section 406 Integrated Activities Water Quality Food Safety Integrated Pest Management Centers Crops at Risk from FQPA Implementation Risk Avoidance and Mitigation Program Methyl Bromide Transitions Program Organic Transitions Program
Stakeholder Input is Vital! Scientific societies, National Academy REE Advisory Board Producers, processors, industry Land Grant University System Non-governmental organizations Other federal agencies International coordination
We ve gone electronic in FY2007! All competitive proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov