SENATOR RICHARD G. LUGAR
CHAIRMAN

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION AND FORESTRY

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH REAUTHORIZATION HEARING

MARCH 13, 1997

Today we continue hearings to review our agricultural research system in preparation for legislation to reauthorize research programs.

We will continue to discuss the funding mechanisms for agricultural research. Federally funded ag research is allocated among intramural (or ARS) funds, formula funds to universities, competitive grants, and special grants. We will ask what might be the most effective method of allocating funds. We will hear today how these funds are currently allocated through the Department of Agriculture.

We will also hear how other federal agencies fund research and set priorities. On Tuesday we heard references to the NIH model as we discussed the need for increased funding of competitive grants. Today we can hear firsthand how the National Institutes of Health model operates. It will also be instructive to hear from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy. What are the percentages of funding that are competitive and non-competitive? Why do differences between agencies exist? Perhaps we will derive lessons for the funding mechanisms and priorities for agricultural research. We also heard reference on Tuesday to in-house or intramural research, the work conducted by the federal government through the Agricultural Research Service. Today USDA will address these and other issues. What research should be conducted by the Agricultural Research Service and what could be done as well and as effectively at non-federal institutions? Should federally conducted research be focused primarily or exclusively on basic research or research focused on public goods? How can the mission and focus of USDA's and land grant universities' agricultural research programs be more clearly defined to better complement one another and avoid unnecessary duplication?

The General Accounting Office will address the accountability and efficiency issues that have been raised through the list of 42 questions I proposed.

We will also hear from several scientific societies today. They may have opinions on the structure of the U.S. agricultural research, education and extension system and how it should meet the research and scientific challenges of the next century. Funding for the National Research Initiative, may be of interest as well. As these hearings progress, the basic question remains: Can the current research structure continue to meet the needs of this changed agriculture sector in the new millennium? If not, how can it be strengthened or improved? I look forward to working on research in a bipartisan manner in this Committee with Senator Harkin and other members of this Committee.