AG2PI Seed Grants & Virtual Teaming Mini-Conference: Register Now

The USDA Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI) is hosting a mini-conference on February 24 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM (CST) to walk through the AG2PI seed grant mechanism and to promote team-building for these grants.

The goal of AG2PI is to assemble a transdisciplinary community for those conducting genome to phenome (G2P) research in crop and livestock species. AG2PI seeks to bring together researchers in life sciences, breeders, engineers, data scientists, economists, and social scientists to address current challenges and gaps in knowledge in G2P research such that common problems can be solved together. As such, we have launched a seed grant program to foster the first steps towards the development of community solutions to research needs and opportunities, as well as gaps in physical infrastructure and data management.

The AG2PI seed grant program aims to fund around six (6) awards, each up to $20,000. Applications will be due by 5 pm CST on Friday, March 19^th. The anticipated start date for funded projects is May 15, 2021, and each project may be 6-12 months in duration. The AG2PI seed grant opportunity is focused on supporting one of the following general topic areas:

1) Identify best practices, tools, and techniques for G2P data sharing and storage;

2) Encourage cross-fertilization of existing or novel G2P tools, data, or ideas;

3) Coordinate available educational resources and/or determine best approaches for expanding cross-disciplinary training in AG2P data science/biology/engineering; and

4) Motivate agriculture-focused analyses of G2P from ethical, legal, social, ecological, and economic perspectives.

Further details regarding the request for proposals, application, and review process can be found at the AG2PI website (https://www.ag2pi.org/seed-grants/).

AG2PI will be hosting a Seed Grant Mini-Conference on February 24 from 10:30 am-12:30 pm CST. This conference will provide an overview of the seed grant mechanism, examples of how seed grants have improved or advanced a scientific endeavor or community, and will provide an opportunity to ask questions regarding the seed grants. Additionally, there will be a “teaming” event that will create the virtual space to discuss your seed grant idea with like-minded researchers with whom you may want to work. Teaming will be facilitated in breakout rooms under the four major topics of the seed grants listed above. For the full conference agenda and to register, please see the “Workshops & Activities” page of the AG2PI website at https://www.ag2pi.org/workshops-and-activities/conference-2021-02-24/. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting. If you are unable to attend the live session, then you will be able to find a recording at ag2pi.org/, at a later date.

Please visit www.ag2pi.org for more information and to register for the conference as well as to view the seed grant request for proposals. While you are there, check out AG2PI’s other activities and join the mailing lists to receive notifications on upcoming events and opportunities.