USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
Scientific Cooperation Exchange Program
with the People’s Republic of China

Deadline: Friday, March 26, 2010

FY 2010 SCEP Application Guide (.pdf)

SF 424 Application for Federal Assistance (.pdf)
— MS Word version (fill-able)
— Instructions for completing the form

Overview

The Scientific Cooperation Exchange Program with the People’s Republic of China (SCEP) supports international exchanges that promote agricultural development and economic growth, and mitigate animal and plant health issues that impede trade. This unique program offers excellent opportunities for U.S. teams of up to 5 members to initiate linkages with potential long-term collaborators at Chinese institutions throughout the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Under a special USDA Scientific Technological Exchange Agreement with the PRC, the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture specifically tailors two-week visits to China to meet the scientific objectives of each team. U.S. teams are responsible only for their international airfare to and from China.

Priorities

* represents highest priorities

In 2010, the Scientific Cooperation Exchange Program will accept proposals for *food security, *climate change, alternative energy, food safety, animal and plant health, agricultural biotechnology and other emerging technologies, food and non-food product development, and sustainable plant and animal production, and natural resources management. Projects will support economic development and trade capacity-building and expand market opportunities for agricultural, fish, and forest products.

Priority will be given to innovative proposals that address critical agricultural market, environmental, and trade-related concerns of both countries. Trade-related activities include the safe and appropriate use of biotechnology; address the sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) issues of food safety and animal and plant health, and development of new agricultural products. Science-based SPS measures help ensure that food is safe for consumers, and prevent the spread of pests or diseases among animals and plants.

In SPS, "sanitary" refers to human and animal health, including fish and wild fauna; while "phyto-sanitary" pertains to plant health, including forests and wild flora. Natural resource management proposals might deal with water availability and management, climate change, animal waste management and other environmental impact issues.

Background

USDA signed a cooperative agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China in 1978 to exchange scientific teams and technical information. Since that agreement, which was incorporated into the umbrella of the U.S.-China Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement in 1979, more than 2,000 American and Chinese scientists have participated in exchanges under the SCEP. SCEP exchanges have helped promote U.S. agricultural priorities, encourage long-term cooperation in agricultural science and technology, create a positive atmosphere for agricultural trade, and enhance overall relations between the United States and People's Republic of China.

Eligibility

Who may apply?

U.S. scientists or technical experts affiliated with a college or university; a federal or state agency; private, nonprofit organizations; and U.S. companies may apply. Proposals are especially encouraged from technical experts or scientists early in their career, women scientists, and scientists or institutions representing under-served and under-represented communities, particularly American Indian, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Asian American, and African American. U.S. institutions include those in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Target Subject Areas

The 2010 cycle of the annual competitive Scientific Cooperation Exchange Program with the People’s Republic of China welcomes proposals for joint activities of mutual benefit in food safety, animal and plant health, agricultural and forestry related marketing and trade, and environmentally sustainable agriculture.

Food Security

• Facilitate international agricultural trade to supplement local production and ensure adequate food supplies in food insecure areas
   
• Enhance sustainability
   
• Increase nutrition and agricultural productivity
   
• Provide technical assistance and capacity building in trade and sustainable agricultural systems
   
• Provide appropriate technology solutions for small-scale and community agricultural production

Climate Change

• Provide food security information where private data are unavailable and public data are insufficient or non-existent
   
• Develop policy recommendations based on analysis of available intelligence
   
• Perform analysis of climate change policies as they relate to agriculture and food security and the environment

Food Safety

• Develop and improve techniques and strategies to promote food safety
   
• Improve technologies to help assure the safety of food products and justify safety standards and regulations for food production and handling

Animal and Plant Health

• Develop technologies to more quickly and accurately identify and control the spread of animal and plant-borne diseases and pests, particularly those with the potential to spread to humans
   
• Identify appropriate measures for surveillance, monitoring, control and/or eradication of animal and plant pests and diseases
   
• Minimize the impact of animal and plant pest and disease outbreaks

Agricultural Biotechnology and Emerging Technologies

• Improve food safety and environmental safety risk management tools for regulation, production, and marketing of biotechnology products
   
• Build capacities to develop, manage, and regulate agricultural biotechnology
   
• Assess the impact of biotechnology crops on agricultural productivity and economic growth
   
• Increase agricultural applications of nanotechnology
   
• Enhance development of information technologies such as agricultural digital libraries and improve applications for plant and animal health

Food Processing and Product Development

• Develop new products and processing techniques to increase the availability of nutritious foods, such as nutraceuticals, functional foods, traditional medicinal foods, and biofortification
   
• Develop and improve organic products and high-value, consumer-oriented products

Non-Food Product Development

• Improve and create new products, practices and markets, such as biofuels that use plant residues for ethanol and biodiesel production
   
• Generate new technologies and tools that support the development, processing, and marketing of specialty and non-food products

Sustainable Plant and Animal Management

• Promote economically and environmentally sustainable crop, livestock, and aquaculture management, including animal waste management
   
• Promote environmentally sustainable water management practices
   
• Minimize the use of agricultural chemicals using integrated pest management and new techniques such as biotechnology for biological control agents, mass production of biopesticides, and bioengineered plants
   
• Develop and improve planting seed, livestock genetics, feeds and forages

Funding

The SCEP provides funding in support of USDA’s Scientific Technological Exchange Agreement with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for visits of teams in which the receiving country covers all expenses for in-country travel and per diem for visiting teams. Under this agreement, teams with a maximum of 5 scientists are exchanged for up to 15 days per team. Please be aware, however, that U.S. participants are responsible for their international airfare between the U.S. and China, as are Chinese teams coming to the United States.

Exchanges to China. U.S. participants are responsible for their international airfare to and from China as well as stopovers in Hong Kong and Tokyo. All exchange visits must start in Beijing. No funds will be given to U.S. participants by the SCEP or the PRC. The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture will provide meals, lodging, interpreter and domestic and local transportation for U.S. teams within the People's Republic of China.
 

Exchanges to the U.S. USDA’s SCEP reciprocates by receiving and paying travel and per diem expenses within the United States of visiting Chinese teams. Teams from the PRC are responsible for their international airfare and are selected, approved, and coordinated by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture. USDA’S pay for one additional team member to serve as the team’s interpreter.

Application Deadline

SCEP applications may be submitted either electronically or printed copy by mail or hand delivery by Friday, March 26, 2010.

Any changes to the SCEP deadline or guidelines will be accessible on the internet through http://www.Grants.gov or the Foreign Agricultural Service website at: http://www.fas.usda.gov/icd/grants/scep/scep.asp.

Electronic Applications

Electronic applications must be submitted by email to Khaliaka.Meardry@fas.usda.gov AND Nora.Banks@fas.usda.gov or to Grants.gov by Friday, March 26, 2010.

Printed Applications

An original copy of the completed application must be received at the Foreign Agricultural Service headquarters in Washington, D.C. by Friday, March 26, 2010.
 

Application Preparation

1. Project Narrative Attachment Form

The proposal’s project narrative discussed in this section is outlined in detail in the Proposal Narrative and Budget section below.

For electronic applications, three types of documents can be uploaded to an application package: PDF - Portable Document Format, Word, and Text files.

For printed copy applications, proposals should be prepared on standard size, 8-1/2 x 11 inch white paper and printed on one side of the page using 12 point font text.

Proposals for the SCEP may not exceed 10 single-spaced pages. Page numbering starts with the cover page, and includes the proposal text, biodata, and references.

2. Standard Form Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 (short form)

The SF-424 short form for Federal Assistance is included in the electronic application package at the Grants.gov website at: http://www.grants.gov/techlib/424%20S%20not%20locked.doc

DUNS Number

All federal assistance applications from institutions, including government agencies, and print and electronic submissions, must now include a DUNS number. A Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the universal standard for identifying and keeping track of businesses worldwide. A DUNS number may be obtained at http://dnb.com/us/.

Advantages of applying through Grants.gov?

Grants.gov is an internet website for federal grant and other financial assistance information, allowing grant seekers to find funding opportunities. The one-time application to Grants.gov is intended make it faster and easier to submit future proposals to a variety of federal funding agencies and programs.
 

Applicants will not need to submit an application package with original signatures delivered by prepaid United States Mail, overnight delivery service, or by hand to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service headquarters in Washington, D.C.
 

The receipt of all applications will be acknowledged by email. Grants.gov will send an acknowledgement to the Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR). The FAS Scientific Cooperation Exchange Program staff will send an acknowledgement to the U.S. Principal Investigator.

Print Application Submission

Applications by Mail or Hand Delivery

A completed SCEP application package with original signatures must be delivered to the USDA/FAS headquarters in Washington, DC by Friday, March 26, 2010. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit the printed copy of the application through overnight mail or delivery service to ensure timely receipt by the USDA. The address for hand-delivered applications or applications submitted using an express mail or overnight courier service is:

USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service Trade of Capacity Building and Development Trade and Scientific Exchanges Division Scientific Exchange Program Attention:  Nora E. Banks

USDA/FAS/OCBD/TSED/SE 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Room 3224 South Building Ag Stop1031 Washington, DC  20250-1031 Telephone: (202) 720-3904 Email: Nora.Banks@fas.usda.gov

Application Review and Notification

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be reviewed by several USDA employees. Projects will be selected according to how well they meet the following criteria:

• Scientific or Technical Merit - Quality of proposal, well-defined problem, clear objectives, evidence of creativity and innovation, suitability of investigators and institutions, likelihood objectives can be achieved
   
• Relevance - Addresses important U.S. agricultural or forestry problems, potential usefulness of research results, potential for knowledge and technology transfer
   
• Potential for Furthering International Cooperation - Expected contributions and mutual benefits from collaboration

Notification of Awards

Award and decline letters are expected to be sent to the U.S. Principal Investigators on or around April 26, 2010.

Award Administration and Reporting

Administration

The U.S. investigators' institutions are expected to fund and arrange their international airfare to and from mainland China. China’s Ministry of Agriculture will provide housing and meals while in mainland China.

Reporting

Short-term scientific exchanges will require only a single report, due 30 days following your exchange visit.

Proposal Narrative

1. Cover Page

Proposal Title

The short title should clearly describe the issue or research problem to be addressed by the proposed scientific exchange.

Collaborating Foreign Country

List the People’s Republic of China.

Type of Project

List Short-term Scientific Exchange with China.

Target Subject Area

List the target subject area(s) addressed in the proposal.

U.S. Principal Investigator(s)

Include the name, title, institution, mailing address, telephone, fax, and email.

List the primary principal investigator first if there are co-principal investigators.

Chinese Principal Investigator(s)

Include the name, title, institution, mailing address, telephone, fax, and email of current Chinese collaborators. Chinese Principal Investigator is not required. The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) in China can and will identify contacts.

Preferred Start and End Dates of the Scientific Exchange

Indicate the preferred start and end dates for the team visit. Recommended exchange dates should range from October 15, 2010 to September 5, 2011. Dates must be pre-approved and cleared by China’s Ministry of Agriculture prior to making flight arrangements.

2. Abstract

In a paragraph for the general public, describe the issue or research problem. Highlight the scientific exchange’s benefits to both the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China. Discuss how the results of the scientific exchange will contribute to solving the problem. Include the contributions of scientists in both countries.

3. Description

Introduction

Describe the scientific or technical issue. Indicate the status of any current activities on this topic with the People’s Republic of China, including the contacts and institutions. Indicate whether the Foreign Agricultural Service has previously funded a related activity of yours, and provide the title and date of the activity.

Objectives of this Scientific Exchange

List the objectives. The scientific exchange must address a 2010 Target Subject Area. *Note: The program does not provide funds for sabbatical studies or for attending conferences.

Benefits to U.S. Agriculture or Forestry

Proposals must indicate a strong benefit to U.S. agriculture or forestry and how it may impact trade. Include plans for disseminating or using the results of the scientific exchange with China. Identify and, if possible, quantify benefits expected from the scientific cooperation.

Benefits to the People’s Republic of China

Describe the interests of China in collaborating on the proposed activity.

Cooperative Arrangements

Describe the responsibilities of each institution.

4. Work Plan

This section explains how you plan to accomplish your objectives and should include:

Proposed dates of visits, including seasonal, geographic, and other considerations
 

Description of how objectives will be met
 

Proposed schedule of activities and location you want to visit.

5. References

Brief descriptions of the qualifications of the participating Principal Investigators
 

Citations relevant to the project

Budget

Since SCEP funds are not provided directly to the U.S. exchange teams visiting China under this program, no budget is required. Please be aware, however, that U.S. participants are responsible for their international airfare and stopovers between the U.S. and China.
 

Agency Contacts

Scientific Cooperation Exchange Program with the People’s Republic of China

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact program staff to discuss proposals for short-term scientific exchanges with China. 

Nora E. Banks, International Affairs Specialist

Telephone: (202) 720-3904 Email: Nora.Banks@fas.usda.gov

or

Khaliaka Meardry, Program Manager, China Exchanges Program

Telephone: (202) 690-1866 Email: Khaliaka.Meardry@fas.usda.gov 

Mailing Address:

USDA/FAS/OCBD/TSED/SE
Scientific Exchange Program
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 3224 South Building, Ag Stop 1031
Washington, DC  20250-1031

Scientific Cooperation Exchange Program website:

http://www.fas.usda.gov/icd/grants/scep/scep.asp

FY 2010 SCEP Application Guide (.pdf)

SF 424 Application for Federal Assistance (.pdf)
— MS Word version (fill-able)
— Instructions for completing the form