U.S. Agency for International Development, G/EGAD/AFS, RRB, Room 2.11-080, Washington, D.C. 20523

B -- CONSTRAINTS GRANT PROGRAM, IARCS SPECIAL CONSTRAINTS PROJECT SOL RFA G/EGAD/AFS98-001 POC Contact Point: Jiryis Oweis, Tel: 202-712-1367; Fax: 202-216-3595 On or about May 20, 1998, Request for Applications (RFA) RFA G/EGAD/AFS-98-001 will be issued by the Office of Agriculture and Food Security in the U.S. Agency For International Development's (USAID's) Bureau for Global Programs (G/EGAD/AFS) requesting grants applications from U.S. universities. USAID is announcing a University/International Agricultural Research Centers Linkages (UNIARCL) program to engage US agricultural scientists in collaborative research programs with the International Agricultural Research Centers (IARCs). The objectives of this program will be to develop technologies which will promote broad based economic growth as well as increase food security and help conserve global natural resources. Africa will be the major focus of the program, but USAID is also very interested in global researchable topics which would have an impact beyond Africa. To initiate the program USAID asked each of the IARCs to identify two high priority research constraints that occur in the Center's research program which are vital for the progress of the core research program, but cannot be resolved by the Center because either the expertise or the equipment is not available and it is not economically feasible for the Center to purchase the service or equipment in order to solve the problem. Some twenty IARCs have provided USAID with a brief description for two of their most pressing constraints along with the names of scientists who would be involved in the research on the constraints. They have also provided a brief overview of the potential impact the resolution to these constraints will have for the U.S. and for the developing world. Funding levels for research on each constraint will likely range from $50,000 to $250,000 total, with a three year time horizon. Specific characteristics of these constraints are: 1) The constraints must be one of Centers important research thrusts 2) Resolution of the constraint should provide mutual benefits to the Lesser Developed Countries (LDCs) and the U.S. 3) Resolution of the constraint should have at least a regional impact (global impact is even better) and 4) The constraint should be identified by the African National Agricultural Research System (NARS) as a priority research area for the NARS. The constraints will be identified in the RFA. This will be a collaborative research program between the Centers and U.S. institutions. Approximately 8-12 grants will be awarded. The Centers will be furnishing staff and facilities and it is strongly encouraged that the U.S. Universities provide a 25% cost-share. USAID estimates that funding for the program will begin in fiscal 1998. This CBD notice can be viewed and downloaded using the Agency Web site. The RFA, once issued, can be downloaded from the Agency Web site. The Worldwide Web address is http://www.info.usaid.gov. Select Business and Procurement Opportunities from the home page, then "USAID Procurements." On the following screen, select "Download Available USAID Solicitations." Receipt of the RFA through INTERNET must be confirmed by written notification to the contact person noted above. It is the responsibilty of the recipient of this solicitation document to ensure that is has been received fron INTERNET in its entirety and USAID bears no responsibilty for data errors resulting from transmission or conversion processes. Interested applicants may also request the RFA via electronic mail at joweis@usaid.gov, in writing by faxing 202-216-3595 or writing via the U.S. Postal Service to the Office of Agriculture and Food Security, Economic Growth and Agricultural Development Center, Bureau for Global Programs, United States Agency for International Development, RRB 2.11-080, Washington, D.C. 20523. Attention: Jiryis Oweis. Any mail sent by courier should be sent to Jiryis Oweis at the Office of Agriculture and Food Security, Economic Growth and Agricultural Development Center, Bureau for Global Affairs, United States Agency for International Development, RRB Room 2.11-080, Washington, D.C. 20523. (0126)

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