Common Bean Productivity Research for Global Food Security Competitive Grants Program

The common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, is widely produced throughout food insecure areas of the world including many Feed the Future countries such as those in East and Southern Africa. In collaboration with and using funding provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development, NIFA-USDA is seeking research proposals to develop approaches and/or methods to address challenges to common bean production among smallholder producers. The amount available for support of this program in FY12 is approximately $4,500,000. 

Applications are being solicited for the BPR under the following areas:

• Reducing Production Constraints from Soil Borne Pathogens: Soil borne pathogen pressure on common bean is a significant constraint to production. Such pathogens and associated root rots already reduce production in areas with high rainfall. As rainfall increases, as is expected around the equatorial zone in Africa, in particular East Africa, pathogen-related production constraints may become even more limiting.

• Improving Transformation Technologies in Common Bean: Although success in transforming common bean has been limited to date, it is a promising strategy to address key production constraints. Developing and/or improving the methodologies and approaches necessary to efficiently transform this recalcitrant species is necessary to removing roadblocks to transformation. 

A letter of intent must be received by close of business May 8, 2012. The deadline for submission of a full proposal submission is by close of business June 27, 2012. The full Request for Applications, as well as guidance in preparing a letter of intent, can be found at http://www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/beanproductivityresearch.cfm