OpportunityTitle: Microbial Genome Sequencing Program
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: CSREES Eligibility Criteria:  The source of USDA funds to support the fiscal year (FY) 2009 Microbial Genome Sequencing Program is subject to the availability of appropriations to carry out the AFRI program, the Secretary may award grants to State agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; Federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations or corporations; individuals; or any group consisting of two or more of the aforementioned entities. Applications from scientists at non-U.S. organizations will not be accepted. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply, provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project.    NSF Eligibility Criteria:  Proposals are invited from academic institutions accredited and having a campus located in the U.S., U.S. non-profit research organizations, and consortia of such organizations with appropriate research and educational facilities. A proposal from a multi-organizational consortium must be submitted by the lead organization as a single proposal. When a consortium of eligible individuals or organizations submits a proposal, a single principal investigator must be designated as the project director (PD) and a single organization must accept overall management responsibility, including the management of intellectual property, that may result from the proposed research.  Simultaneous submission of proposals to this program and another federal agency is permissible with prior written approval of the appropriate program officers at each agency involved. Proposers are encouraged to establish international collaborations where appropriate. It is anticipated that foreign agencies will support the offshore activities of these programs. The NSF component of this program will not make awards or allow subcontracts to non-U.S. institutions.
Description: The Microbial Genome Sequencing Program is a collaborative interagency activity of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The program supports (i) high-throughput sequencing of the genomes of a broad range of microorganisms (including plasmids, viruses, bacteria, archaea, fungi, oomycetes, protists, microeukaryotes and agriculturally important nematodes) and the metagenomes of microbial communities and (ii) the development and implementation of strategies, tools and technologies to make currently available genome sequences more valuable to the user community. The newly acquired sequences are expected to be made available and used by a community of investigators to address issues of scientific and societal importance including:Novel aspects of microbial biochemistry, physiology, metabolism, development and cellular biology;The diversity and the roles microorganisms play in complex ecosystems and in global geochemical cycles;The impact that microorganisms have on the productivity and sustainability of agriculture and natural resources (e.g., forestry, soil and water), and on the safety and quality of the nation&apos;s food supply; andThe organization and evolution of microbial genomes, and the mechanisms of transmission, exchange and reshuffling of genetic information.The development and implementation of strategies, tools and technologies are expected to significantly enhance the value of existing and novel genome sequences.This program is part of The Microbe Project, a coordinated effort of multiple federal agencies to promote genome-enabled microbial science. (See http://www.microbeproject.gov.)
GrantorContactEmailDescription: CSREES Help Desk
GrantorContactText: CSREES Help Desk  &lt;br/&gt;Phone: 202-401-5048  &lt;br/&gt;Business hours are M-F, 7:00 am -5:00 pm ET. &lt;br/&gt;