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This program is a continuation of the Plant Genome Research Program (PGRP) that began in FY 1998 as part of the National Plant Genome Initiative (NPGI). Since the inception of the NPGI and the PGRP, there has been a tremendous increase in the availability of functional genomics tools and sequence resources for use in the study of key crop plants and their models. Proposals are welcomed that build on these resources to develop conceptually new and different ideas and strategies to address grand challenge questions in plants of economic importance on a genome-wide scale. There is also a critical need for the development of novel and creative tools to facilitate new experimental approaches or new ways of analyzing genomic data. Especially encouraged are proposals that provide strong and novel training opportunities integral to the research plan and particularly across disciplines that include, but are not limited to, plant physiology, quantitative genetics, biochemistry, bioinformatics and engineering.Activities in four focus areas will be supported in FY 2014: (1) Genomics-empowered plant research to tackle fundamental questions in plant sciences on a genome-wide scale; (2) Development of tools and resources for plant genome research including novel technologies and analysis tools to enable discovery; (3) Mid-Career Investigator Awards in Plant Genome Research (MCA-PGR) to increase participation of investigators trained primarily in fields other than plant genomics; and, (4) Advancing Basic Research in Economically Important Crop Plants (ABR-PG) to develop sequence resources that are critically needed to enable basic research resources in crop plants.

One of the BLM's highest priorities is to promote ecosystem health and one of the greatest obstacles to achieving this goal is the rapid expansion of weeds across public lands. These invasive plants can dominate and often cause permanent damage to natural plant communities. If not eradicated or controlled, noxious weeds will continue to jeopardize the health of the public lands and to constrain the myriad activities that occur on public lands. BLM Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Programs work to prevent, detect, inventory, control and monitor weed populations on public lands. 1. Invasive species cost the public millions of dollars in control and management each year and many invasive plants and noxious weeds are highly competitive and have the ability to permanently degrade our public lands. 2. Noxious weeds and invasive species expansion are recognized as the single greatest threat to our native plant communities and the values they provide us. 3. These native plant communities are essential for supporting wildlife habitat, watershed function, recreation opportunities, rural economies and working landscapes. 4. Invasive plants and noxious weeds affect plant and animal communities on farms and ranches, and in parks, waters, forests, natural areas, and backyards in negative ways. 5. Human activity such as trade, travel, and tourism have all increased substantially, escalating the speed and volume of species movement to unprecedented levels.

The Plant Biotic Interactions (PBI) program supports research on the processes that mediate beneficial and antagonistic interactions between plants and their viral, bacterial, oomycete, fungal, plant, and invertebrate symbionts, pathogens and pests. This joint NSF/NIFA program supports projects focused on current and emerging model and non-model systems, and agriculturally relevant plants. The program's scope extends from fundamental mechanisms to translational efforts, with the latter seeking to put into agricultural practice insights gained from basic research on the mechanisms that govern plant biotic interactions. Projects must be strongly justified in terms of fundamental biological processes and/or relevance to agriculture and may be purely fundamental or applied or include aspects of both perspectives. All types of symbiosis are appropriate, including commensalism, mutualism, parasitism, and host-pathogen interactions. Research may focus on the biology of the plant host, its pathogens, pests or symbionts, interactions among these, or on the function of plant-associated microbiomes. The program welcomes proposals on the dynamics of initiation, transmission, maintenance and outcome of these complex associations, includingstudies of metabolic interactions, immune recognition and signaling, host-symbiont regulation, reciprocal responses among interacting species and mechanisms associated with self/non-self recognition such as those in pollen-pistil interactions. Explanatory frameworks shouldinclude molecular, genomic, metabolic, cellular, network and organismal processes, with projects guided by hypothesis and/or discovery driven experimental approaches. Strictly ecological projects that do not address underlying mechanisms are not appropriate for this program. Quantitative modeling in concert with experimental work is encouraged. Overall, the program seeks to support research that will deepen our understanding of the fundamental processes that mediate interact

The Plant Genome Research Program (PGRP) supports genome-scale research in plant genomics that addresses challenging questions of biological importance and of relevance to society. The Program encourages the development of innovative tools, technologies and resources that push the boundaries of research capabilities and permit the community to answer seemingly intractable and pressing questions on a genome-wide scale. Emphasis is placed on the creativity of the approach and the scale and depth of the question being addressed. Data produced by plant genomics should be usable, accessible, integrated across scales and of high impact across biology. Training and career advancement in plant genomics is featured as an essential element of scientific progress. The PGRP continues to focus on plants of economic importance and biological processes and interactions that will have broad impact on the scientific research community and society in general.

The Plant Genome Research Program (PGRP) supports genome-scale research in plant genomics that addresses challenging questions of biological importance and of relevance to society. The Program encourages the development of innovative tools, technologies and resources that push the boundaries of research capabilities and permit the community to answer seemingly intractable and pressing questions on a genome-wide scale. Emphasis is placed on the creativity of the approach and the scale and depth of the question being addressed. Data produced by plant genomics should be usable, accessible, integrated across scales and of high impact across biology. Training and career advancement in plant genomics is featured as an essential element of scientific progress. The PGRP continues to focus on plants of economic importance and biological processes and interactions that will have broad impact on the scientific research community and society in general.

This program makes funding available for the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN or 'the Network') for Fiscal Year 2017 as provided under the Agricultural Act of 2014, commonly referred to as the Farm Bill of 2014, specifically Section 10007. The National Clean Plant Network provides asexually propagated plant material free of targeted plant pathogens and pests to protect the environment and ensure the global competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop producers. Program priorities include: 1) establishing and supporting governance and related administrative activities; 2) promoting the introduction, diagnosis, treatment, establishment (in foundation blocks) and release of clean plant materials, both from foreign and domestic sources, for commercial development; 3) conducting methods development to accurately advance and test therapies, as well as establish guidelines and standards for certification maintenance; 4) developing partnerships with extension and outreach services (e.g. university and state departments of agriculture) to interact with commercial nurseries, industry associations and producers; and 5) developing and implementing best practices and quality control protocols.

This program makes funding available for the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN or 'the Network') for Fiscal Year 2017 as provided under the Agricultural Act of 2014, commonly referred to as the Farm Bill of 2014, specifically Section 10007. The National Clean Plant Network provides asexually propagated plant material free of targeted plant pathogens and pests to protect the environment and ensure the global competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop producers. Program priorities include: 1) establishing and supporting governance and related administrative activities; 2) promoting the introduction, diagnosis, treatment, establishment (in foundation blocks) and release of clean plant materials, both from foreign and domestic sources, for commercial development; 3) conducting methods development to accurately advance and test therapies, as well as establish guidelines and standards for certification maintenance; 4) developing partnerships with extension and outreach services (e.g. university and state departments of agriculture) to interact with commercial nurseries, industry associations and producers; and 5) developing and implementing best practices and quality control protocols.

The Plant-Biotic Interactions (PBI) program supports research on the processes that mediate beneficial and antagonistic interactions between plants and their viral, bacterial, oomycete, fungal, plant, and invertebrate symbionts, pathogens and pests. This joint NSF-NIFA program supports projects focused on current and emerging model and non-model systems, and agriculturally relevant plants. The program's scope extends from fundamental mechanisms to translational efforts, with the latter seeking to put into agricultural practice insights gained from basic research on the mechanisms that govern plant-biotic interactions. Projects must be strongly justified in terms of fundamental biological processes and/or relevance to agriculture and may be purely fundamental or applied, or include aspects of both perspectives. All types of symbiosis are appropriate, including commensalism, mutualism, parasitism, and host-pathogen interactions. Research may focus on the biology of the plant host, its pathogens, pests or symbionts, interactions among these, or on the function of plant-associated microbiomes.

The Plant Biotic Interactions (PBI) program supports research on the processes that mediate beneficial and antagonistic interactions between plants and their viral, bacterial, oomycete, fungal, plant, and invertebrate symbionts, pathogens and pests. This joint NSF-NIFA program supports projects focused on current and emerging model and non-model systems, and agriculturally relevant plants. The program's scope extends from fundamental mechanisms to translational efforts, with the latter seeking to put into agricultural practice insights gained from basic research on the mechanisms that govern plant biotic interactions. Projects must be strongly justified in terms of fundamental biological processes and/or relevance to agriculture and may be purely fundamental or applied, or include aspects of both perspectives. All types of symbiosis are appropriate, including commensalism, mutualism, parasitism, and host-pathogen interactions. Research may focus on the biology of the plant host, its pathogens, pests or symbionts, interactions among these, or on the function of plant-associated microbiomes. The program welcomes proposals on the dynamics of initiation, transmission, maintenance and outcome of these complex associations, including studies of metabolic interactions, immune recognition and signaling, host-symbiont regulation, reciprocal responses among interacting species and mechanisms associated with self/non-self recognition such as those in pollen-pistil interactions.

Background: The National Native Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration 2015-2020 outlines a coordinated approach to establish a national network of native seed collectors, growers, and nurseries to supply adequate quantities of appropriate seed, and a network of restoration ecologists. The Montana State Office is seeking to partner with Colleges or Universities across Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota to help develop native plant materials that would include species important for sage-grouse habitat restoration, stabilization and rehabilitation projects, culturally significant species, increase pollinator habitat, and research needs for these species. The partnership is also seeking to build conservation science into new or existing curriculum, develop interest in restoration efforts, and foster better communication and understanding of culturally significant and tribally important plants. Objectives: To develop native plant programs by collecting and germinating native plant seed. This project will build unique relationships with recipients who are interested in natural conservation work and keeping their own culture connected to the public lands. Public Benefit: This project provides long-term benefits to the public by providing native plant and conservation projects on public lands. In addition, this project will provide education and awareness about the importance of native plants and their impact on environmental factors such as sage-grouse habitat.

California public lands contain diverse natural communities that support a large number of native plants and animals. Nearly 2,096 plants are considered rare, threatened or uncommon and during this time, we have already seen 32 species go extinct in California. With all this great diversity, only about twenty-five percent of the original vegetation remains in a somewhat pristine condition. BLMâ¿¿s resource protection mission, and associated strategic plan, calls for BLM field managers to create habitat conditions that enable biological communities to flourish. The BLM Plant Conservation Program in Southern California includes inventories, seed collections, propagation, monitoring, genetic analysis etc. This project is a cooperation between a Southern California Botanic Garden (that is a member of the Center for Plant Conservation) and the BLM. Working together, we will establish a Seeds of Success program in Southern California, monitor rare plant species, inventory populations, and pursue many more plant-related research opportunities.

The Plant Biotic Interactions (PBI) program supports research on the processes that mediate beneficial and antagonistic interactions between plants and their viral, bacterial, oomycete, fungal, plant, and invertebrate symbionts, pathogens and pests. This joint NSF-NIFA program supports projects focused on current and emerging model and non-model systems, and agriculturally relevant plants. The program's scope extends from fundamental mechanisms to translational efforts, with the latter seeking to put into agricultural practice insights gained from basic research on the mechanisms that govern plant biotic interactions.

To further the conservation and management of natural resources managed by the BLM through the application of land restoration techniques, assessment and monitoring. Assist BLM California State botanist with strategic seed collections that complement the standard Seeds of Success program by matching experienced botanists familiar with seed collection and native plant propagation with BLM district and Field personnel to increase collection quality, efficiency and consistency.Provide support in helping to identify plant materials that lend themselves to successful propagation and providing plant material production skills. Provide genetically appropriate seed and plant material for seed increase and planting at restoration sites.

The Colorado State Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has been working with organizations on native plant projects on public lands for many years. BLM Colorado provides research opportunities by engaging cooperating partners to perform a variety of conservation and land management projects specifically addressing the importance of protecting native plant species on public lands. In particular, the Colorado State Office of the BLM seeks an organization partner for the purpose of conducting conservation and land management projects, to include, but not limited to, the following activities, as part of the BLM's Seeds of Success Program: seed collection activities on public lands located in Colorado; development of native plant materials; conducting studies and research to provide geneticially appropriate seed materials; improving technology for native seed production and ecosystem restoration; and providing hands-on experience to students and the public in the area of monitoring and managing rare plant species. This project will allow the cooperating partner to work alongside of BLM staff to further the understanding and appreciation of the our natural resources. BLM staff will provide mentoring and coaching opportunities for project participants to learn valuable skills in the field of botany and natural resources management.

In 2015 the Plant Conservation Alliance released the National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration: 2015-2020, for which the BLM was a participant and signatory. Also in 2015, the White House released the National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators. Implementation of these strategies by the BLM includes increasing the availability of genetically and ecologically appropriate native plant seed, and nursery stock for restoration. Within the Mojave Desert Ecoregion over 1 million acres have burned since 2005, severely impacting habitat for the Federally Threatened Mojave desert tortoise. Invasive species infestation have also greatly expanded, in both upland and riparian areas. Genetically and ecologically appropriate native plant materials are needed to combat invasive species and restore native plant habitats on BLM lands, in support of the National Seed Strategy and National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators, and in support of desert tortoise habitat restoration and recovery.

Background: In the fall of 2016, BLM was asked to participate in a non-vascular plant inventory in Musselshell County, MT. This location was chosen based on an evaluation of the MT Natural Heritage Programâ¿¿s (NHP) biological database which indicated no records for lichens, mosses, and other components of biotic soil crust. The results of this evaluation identified 11 Eastern Montana counties with no records. It was also noted that the diversity of vascular and non-vascular plant data from Eastern Montana is lacking in comprehensive information. Objectives: This project would help to fill information gaps on vascular and non-vascular plants associated with public, private, and state lands in Eastern MT. The goals of the project would be to supplement the MT NHP on-line field guide, build a more complete record of species in the database, and make this information available to all land owners. Public Benefit: This data will help land management make better informed decisions and bring more awareness of the role that of vascular and non-vascular plants play in a healthy ecosystem. The project would also look to bring simple and consistent monitoring of these species based on the functional areas that each support.

Background: The National Native Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration 2015-2020 outlines a coordinated approach to establish a national network of native seed collectors, growers, and nurseries to supply adequate quantities of appropriate seed. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Montana/Dakotas has partnered in the past with non-governmental organizations to help in the development of locally adapted plant materials. Objectives: Develop locally adapted native plant materials including seed and seedling resources for public land restoration or lands adjacent to public lands. Tasks under this project include but are not limited to: 1. Providing seed and seedlings 2. Cleaning of small wild collected lots of seed Public Benefit: The public will benefit because the project provides locally adapted seed and seedlings for habitat restoration, which in turn creates more habitat for hunting, fishing, and recreation opportunities. These plant materials will be available to partners for use in restoration on public, private, and tribal lands.

Develop cooperative relationships for managing invasive plants and noxious weeds at the landscape scale to set common goals and pool resources to effectively manage invasive plants and noxious weeds across Wyoming.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), hereby announce their interest in receiving applications for genomics- based research that will lead to the improved use of biomass and plant feedstocks for the production of fuels such as ethanol or renewable chemical feedstocks. Specifically, applications are sought for research on plants that will improve biomass and oil seed characteristics, yield, or sustainability. Research to overcome the biological barriers to the low-cost, high-quality, scalable and sustainable production of bioenergy feedstocks using the tools of genetics and genomics are encouraged.

The Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases program supports research on the ecological, evolutionary, and socio-ecological principles and processes that influence the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases. The central theme of submitted projects must be quantitative or computational understanding of pathogen transmission dynamics. The intent is discovery of principles of infectious disease transmission and testing mathematical or computational models that elucidate infectious disease systems. Projects should be broad, interdisciplinary efforts that go beyond the scope of typical studies. They should focus on the determinants and interactions of transmission among humans, non-human animals, and/or plants. This includes, for example, the spread of pathogens; the influence of environmental factors such as climate; the population dynamics and genetics of reservoir species or hosts; the cultural, social, behavioral, and economic dimensions of disease transmission. Research may be on zoonotic, environmentally-borne, vector-borne, or enteric diseases of either terrestrial or freshwater systems and organisms, including diseases of animals and plants, at any scale from specific pathogens to inclusive environmental systems. Proposals for research on disease systems of public health concern to developing countries are strongly encouraged, as are disease systems of concern in agricultural systems. Investigators are encouraged to develop the appropriate multidisciplinary team, including for example, modelers, bioinformaticians, genomics researchers, social scientists, economists, epidemiologists, entomologists, parasitologists, microbiologists, bacteriologists, virologists, pathologists or veterinarians, with the goal of integrating knowledge across disciplines to enhance our ability to predict and control infectious diseases.

The Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases program supports research on the ecological, evolutionary, and socio-ecological principles and processes that influence the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases. The central theme of submitted projects must be quantitative or computational understanding of pathogen transmission dynamics. The intent is discovery of principles of infectious disease transmission and testing mathematical or computational models that elucidate infectious disease systems. Projects should be broad, interdisciplinary efforts that go beyond the scope of typical studies. They should focus on the determinants and interactions of transmission among humans, non-human animals, and/or plants. This includes, for example, the spread of pathogens; the influence of environmental factors such as climate; the population dynamics and genetics of reservoir species or hosts; or the cultural, social, behavioral, and economic dimensions of disease transmission. Research may be on zoonotic, environmentally-borne, vector-borne, or enteric diseases of either terrestrial or freshwater systems and organisms, including diseases of animals and plants, at any scale from specific pathogens to inclusive environmental systems. Proposals for research on disease systems of public health concern to developing countries are strongly encouraged, as are disease systems of concern in agricultural systems. Investigators are encouraged to involve the public health research community, including for example, epidemiologists, physicians, veterinarians, food scientists, social scientists, entomologists, pathologists, virologists, or parasitologists with the goal of integrating knowledge across disciplines to enhance our ability to predict and control infectious diseases.

The AFRI Foundational Program is offered to support research grants in the six AFRI priority areas to continue building a foundation of knowledge critical for solving current and future societal challenges. The six priority areas are: Plant Health and Production and Plant Products; Animal Health and Production and Animal Products; Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health; Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, and Environment; Agriculture Systems and Technology; and Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities. Single-function Research Projects, multi-function Integrated Projects and Food and Agricultural Science Enhancement (FASE) Grants are expected to address one of the Program Area Priorities (see Foundational Program RFA for details).