**Pre-Peer Review Signature Page**

**[(Signature and Dates Must Be Complete Prior to Distributing this
Project Plan to Peer Reviewers)]{.smallcaps}**

**[\[]{.smallcaps}Lead Scientist, Project Number and Title\]**

This project plan was found to meet the peer review criteria, to be in
compliance with the Project Plan Instructions and Format, and
demonstrate how the research team will conduct research in a manner
appropriate for this area of research. The funds committed toward this
project are sufficient to support the planned research.

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Research Leader Date

This project plan was prepared by a qualified research team and
demonstrates the research team's best effort towards achieving the
assigned research objectives.

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Center, Institute or Lab Director Date

This project plan was prepared by a qualified research team and
demonstrates the research team's best effort towards achieving the
assigned research objectives. All internal review and approval
requirements have been met. This project plan is relevant to the
Agricultural Research Service's National Program \[enter NP \# and
title\] Action Plan and was prepared in accordance with the outlined
objectives, experimental approach, and project duration previously
agreed to by the National Program Team and Research Team. To validate
the plan's readiness for implementation and gain recommendations for
improvement, the project plan is now available for peer review.

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Area Director Date

*These officials have not performed a scientific merit peer review.
Their statements do not necessarily require expertise in the scientific
subjects associated with this research. The approval to implement this
project plan cannot be made without scientific peer review coordinated
by the Office of Scientific Quality Review, ARS, USDA.*

**Post-Peer Review Signature Page**

**[\[]{.smallcaps}Lead Scientist, Project Number and Title\]**

This project plan was revised, as appropriate, according to the peer
review recommendations and/or other insights developed while considering
the peer review recommendations. A response to each peer review
recommendation is attached. If recommendations were not adopted, a
rationale is provided.

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\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Research Leader Date

This final version of the project plan reflects the best efforts of the
research team to consider the recommendations provided by peer
reviewers. The responses to the peer review recommendations are
satisfactory.

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Center, Institute or Lab Director Date

The attached plan for the project identified above was created by a team
of credible researchers and internally reviewed and recognized by the
team's management and National Program Leader to establish the project's
relevance and dedication to the Agricultural Research Service's mission
and Congressional mandates. It reflects the best efforts of the research
team to consider the recommendations provided by peer reviewers. The
responses to the peer review recommendations are satisfactory. The
project plan has completed a scientific merit peer review in accordance
with the Research Title of the 1998 Farm Bill (PL105-185) and was deemed
feasible for implementation. Reasonable consideration was given to each
recommendation for improvement provided by the peer reviewers.

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**Area Director (original signature required)** Date

**Re-Review Signature Page**

**[(Signature and Dates Must Be Complete Prior to Distributing this
Project Plan to Peer Reviewers)]{.smallcaps}**

**[\[]{.smallcaps}Lead Scientist, Project Number and Title\]**

This project plan was revised according to the recommendations made by
the panel. It is found to meet the peer review criteria and to be in
compliance with the project plan instructions and format, and
demonstrate how the research team will conduct research in a manner
appropriate for this area of research. The funds committed toward this
project are sufficient to support the planned research.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Research Leader Date

This project plan was prepared by a qualified research team and
demonstrates the research team's best effort towards achieving the
assigned research objectives.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Center, Institute or Lab Director Date

This project plan was prepared by a qualified research team and
demonstrates the research team's best effort towards achieving the
assigned research objectives. All internal review and approval
requirements have been met. This project plan is relevant to the
Agricultural Research Service's National Program \[enter NP \# and
title\] Action Plan and was prepared in accordance with the outlined
objectives, experimental approach, and project duration previously
agreed to by the National Program Team and Research Team. To validate
the plan's readiness for implementation and gain recommendations for
improvement, the project plan is now available for peer review.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Area Director Date

*These officials have not performed a scientific merit peer review.
Their statements do not necessarily require expertise in the scientific
subjects associated with this research. The approval to implement this
project plan cannot be made without scientific peer review coordinated
by the Office of Scientific Quality Review, ARS, USDA.*