ERS Analysis:
High-Priority Research Programs

2002 Farm Bill Home Title I: Commodities Title II: Conservation Title III: Trade Title IV: Nutrition Title V: Credit Title VI: Rural Development Title VII: Research Title VIII: Forestry Title IX: Energy Title X: Miscellaneous   Resources Details & analysis Background publications Farm policy glossary Farm bill summary Download the farm bill Related USDA Agencies Farm Service Agency Foreign Agricultural Service

Key Changes

Twenty new High-Priority Research and Extension Initiative areas are added to the 24 existing areas, including 5 new areas in natural resources and the environment. A Bovine Johne's disease control program and a program on Karnal Bunt research are added.

Economic Implications

Congress influences the direction of public agricultural research with member-specified grants in the appropriation process (known as earmarks). However, recent farm acts have included increasing numbers of "high-priority research areas" that have also restricted the competitive grants programs, which were originally designed to fund fundamental, science-driven research. Some new high-priority research areas are highly specific compared with the intended broader purpose of competitive grants programs. For example, specific areas, such as "dairy pipeline cleaning" and "agrotourism," may be difficult to address under broad research solicitations.

For More Information...

• Agricultural Research and Development: Public and Private Investments Under Alternative Markets and Institutions—This report provides an overview of the issues surrounding agricultural research and development.
• Competitive Grants and the Funding of Agricultural Research in the U.S.—Findings of ERS researchers on the use of different instruments, and factors influencing the share of competitive grants received.