The purpose of the USDA Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grants (BRAG) Program is to assist Federal regulatory agencies in making science-based decisions about the effects of introducing genetically engineered organisms into the environment.

Investigations of effects on both managed and natural environments

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Applications to the USDA BRAG Program must seek partial funding for a conference or address one of the following areas:
1) Identify and develop practices to minimize risks associated with genetically engineered organisms; 2) Research methods to monitor the dispersal of genetically engineered organisms; 3) Research to increase knowledge about the characteristics, rates, and methods of gene transfer that may occur between genetically engineered organisms, and related organisms; 4) Perform assessments to provide analysis which compares impacts of organisms modified through genetic engineering to other types of production systems; 5) Other areas of research designed to further the purposes of the USDA BRAG program.

Regular research proposals submitted to the BRAG program should be limited to a total budget of $400,000 (including indirect costs) for 2-5 years of support.

Proposals on the priority areas of transformation-associated mutagenesis or environmental impacts of large-scale planting submitted to the BRAG program should not exceed $1 million.

Proposals requesting more than $400,000 for a regular proposal and more than $1million for a priority proposal will be at risk of being excluded from NIFA review.

Funds awarded will not exceed $400,000 for regular research proposals or $1 million for priority proposals.

Project periods cannot exceed five (5) years, the statutory time limit.

Conference proposal requests should be limited to a total budget of $20,00 0. See RFA for details.