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**IMPLEMENTATION**

# **GUIDELINES**

# 

## **October 1, 2003-September 30, 2005**

**STRATEGIC AREAS**

The Second Clause of the Labex Agreement, signed in June 2003, states:

*Research projects shall be developed in the field of agriculture and
livestock, covering, but not limited to, the following areas of
interest:*

-   *Advanced technology and its impact;*

-   *New fields of science and interfaces;*

-   *Management of natural resources;*

-   *New uses for agricultural products; and*

-   *Characterization and conservation of genetic resources.*

Embrapa and ARS will discuss and determine specific priority areas for
collaborative research projects to be conducted or pursued under the
terms of this agreement. These areas may include past, ongoing, or new
collaborative research. A final decision will be based on the priorities
of each institution, as well as the mutual and strategic interest.
Emerging areas should be mutually agreed upon before they are added to
the Labex program.

##### [Ongoing Areas]{.underline}

Animal Genomics

Global Change

Integrated Pest Management

New Uses for Commodities

Precision Agriculture

##### [New Areas for Consideration]{.underline}

Bioenergy

Food Safety & Biosecurity

Genomics, Bioinformatics & Protenomics

Sustainable Agriculture

### Selection Procedures

1.  Considering both ongoing and new strategic themes presented for
    consideration, Embrapa and ARS will put forward specific research
    areas that each institution considers a mutually strategic interest
    to be further enhanced under the Labex program.

2.  These recommendations will then be compared, consolidated, and
    prioritized.

3.  Based on this list, Embrapa will identify scientists to participate
    in Labex, based on the resources available.

4.  Upon selection, ARS will identify appropriate research units to
    participate in Labex.

5.  Embrapa and ARS will give final notification and mutual agreement of
    the placement of these scientists and the research areas they will
    address.

#### COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH

### Labex Participant Research

The cornerstone of the Labex program is cooperative agricultural
research. Embrapa senior level scientists selected to participate in the
Labex program develop a research work plan with their ARS counterparts.
These plans provide research objectives, the time line of these
objectives, and the resources needed to reach these objectives. Also,
the counterparts outline how a network will be established to support
these research objectives, utilizing contacts through professional
societies, additional ARS and Embrapa research units, other governmental
agencies, academic institutions, and international organizations. The
research of the Labex participants should address the highest priorities
of Brazil and the United States, and therefore, will receive the
greatest support under the program. The participating scientists from
ARS and Embrapa, as well as the status of their research and their work
plans, are subject to the bi-annual review requirements as outlined in
the agreement.

### Informal Collaborative Research

Both institutions recognize the importance of the extensive network of
informal collaborative research between scientists in Brazil and the
United States. Inevitably, these research projects are extremely
difficult to capture as a part of a formal program like Labex; however,
Embrapa and ARS will continue to encourage, advise, and assist our
respective scientists, as needed, in pursuing these informal
collaborations. No reporting requirements are needed under this type of
collaboration.

When applicable, Labex can play an important role in these informal
arrangements. Labex can facilitate informal cooperative research that
may have risen to a more formal and binding nature, therefore,
necessitating the development of specific cooperative agreements between
researchers or units that do not directly participate in the Labex
program. The Labex agreement can be used as a reference document in the
development of any more formal arrangements between Embrapa and ARS
scientists. Each institution should be notified through Labex
Coordination of any such developments. A reporting mechanism to Labex
Coordination by the scientists should be established under the more
formal agreement, as well as an incorporation of the work into the Labex
review process.

### Formal Collaborative Research

Through the Labex program, Embrapa and ARS identify numerous
collaborative research projects that are not the specific research
projects of Labex participants. Each new initiative needs to be assessed
through the Labex Coordination for relevance to the Labex objectives,
evaluating the strategic, as well as mutual interest to each
institution's mission.

Once a new area of research has been agreed upon, the Embrapa and ARS
collaborators will develop a work plan similar to those participating
directly in the Labex program, outlining research objectives, a
timeline, and resources that will be required. Both human and financial
resources outside the Labex program should be identified. Labex
resources can be allocated to projects mutually agreed upon and these
projects will then be incorporated under the Labex umbrella. A reporting
mechanism to Labex Coordination by the scientists should be established
in the work plan or formal agreement, as well as an incorporation of the
work into the Labex review process.

#### SCIENTIFIC STAFF

Under Labex, a senior level scientist is selected from Embrapa in one of
the strategic areas. Each scientist is responsible for working with
his/her ARS counterpart to design and implement a research project and
establish a network between Brazil and the United States in their
specific area. The tenure of each senior level scientist is for 2 years.

Each institution is responsible for determining candidates to
participate in Labex. Both ARS and Embrapa will participate and
collaborate in the placement of researchers into each other's research
facilities, taking into account requirements for the research
objectives, logistics and infrastructure, and the identification of
units and researchers that can meet these requirements.

A research work plan will be developed in conjunction with the ARS
counterpart. These plans provide research objectives, the time line of
these objectives, and the resources needed to reach these objectives.
Also, the counterparts outline how a network will be established to
support these research objectives, utilizing contacts through
professional societies, additional ARS and Embrapa research units, other
governmental agencies, academic institutions, and international
organizations. In addition, Embrapa can allocate other senior level
scientists in ARS units for short periods (4-6 months) to fill
scientific gaps in the research network. Suggested guidelines for
participating senior level scientists is a focus of approximately 75% of
their efforts to address their specific research goals, complimented by
the prospection of a scientific network in their area of expertise.

As a participate nears the end of his or her tenure as a Labex
scientist, a final work plan or exit strategy will be submitted,
providing the accomplishments and status of the research project, the
anticipated future scientific achievements, a plan of action to reach
these achievements once the participant returns to Brazil, and a request
of how Labex can continue to support this research project.

#### COORDINATION

The coordinators from both Embrapa and ARS will serve as facilitators
for the collaborative research and networks established in the priority
areas. They will review specific research projects for interest and
relevance to the Labex program and to each institution's mission.
Embrapa and ARS coordinators have a responsibility to highlight the
quality, uniqueness, and success of the Labex Program.

It is recognized that the coordinators have several responsibilities to
Labex outside of the coordination of the research conducted under the
program.

### Embrapa Coordinator

The Embrapa coordinator must respond to requests, inquiries, and demands
from Embrapa and other institutions in Brazil regarding the Labex
Program; authorize financial obligations as determined by Labex
Coordination; represent Embrapa when requested; and allocate 50% of his
or her efforts to an area of research with a selected ARS researcher
located at USDA/ARS' Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. The tenure
of this position is for 2 years.

### ARS Coordinator

The ARS coordinator must respond to requests, inquiries, and demands
from ARS and other institutions in the United States and countries in
Latin America, including Brazil, regarding cooperative research programs
such as Labex; track and report on the financial obligations of the
Labex Trust Fund located at ARS; represent ARS when requested; and
facilitate awareness and input regarding Labex by ARS Administration and
National Program Staff. This is a permanent position held by the
International Affairs Specialist for Latin America in ARS' Office of
International Research Programs.

#### LABEX REVIEW 

Embrapa will monitor, at least twice annually, through professionals
designated by the Executive Board of Embrapa, the conduct, technical
performance, and progress achieved by the coordinator and researchers.
ARS will aid in this process by providing technical guidance to Labex
participants and provide evaluation of their work to Embrapa
headquarters. Alterations in research directions and future work plans
will be mutually agreed upon.

#### LABEX YEARLY CALENDAR 

January Financial report due, ending Dec 31

February Mid year review at unit locations

April Financial report due, ending March 31

June Work plans submitted for review

July Financial report due, ending June 30

August Review status and new work plans for research, as well as
coordination.

September Completion of work plan

> Compilation of reports and work plans for submission to Embrapa.

October Initiate new work plan

Financial report due, ending September 30