AGARDA

Agriculture Advanced Research 

and Development Authority 

A Vision for Disruptive Science to 

Confront Audacious Challenges 

USDA 

iiliiii U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Table of Contents 

Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 1 

Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 2 

The Case for Disruptive Science in Agriculture ............................................................................. 2 

AGARDA Authorization and Funding ........................................................................................... 3 

Benchmarks and Best Practices ...................................................................................................... 4 

The Department of Defense’s DARPA....................................................................................... 4 

The Department of Energy’s ARPA-E........................................................................................ 4 

Department of Transportation’s ARPA-I & Department of Health and Human Services’ 

ARPA-H...................................................................................................................................... 6 

Foundation Concepts and Takeaways ......................................................................................... 6 

AGARDA Strategic Framework..................................................................................................... 6 

AGARDA Current Funding Scenario ......................................................................................... 7 

AGARDA Fully Authorized Scenario ........................................................................................ 8 

Closing Comments.......................................................................................................................... 9 

Appendix 1 AGARDA Authorizing Legislation .......................................................................... 11 

7 U.S. Code § 3319k - Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority pilot ........ 11 

1 
 

 

Introduction 

Section 7132 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334), also known as 

the 2018 Farm Bill, 7 USC 3319k, established the Agriculture Advanced Research and 

Development Authority (AGARDA) pilot authority to develop technologies, research tools, and 

products through advanced research on long-term and high-risk challenges for food and 

agriculture to ensure that the United States maintains its position as leader in global agricultural 

Research and Development (R&D). This document outlines the imperative for a new approach to 

deliver disruptive breakthrough discoveries for agriculture and details a strategic framework for 

how the program will be executed when appropriated funding is received at the authorized level 

plus contingencies for various other funding levels. 

The Case for Disruptive Science in Agriculture 

Success of U.S. agriculture has been undergirded by investments in research enabling 

agricultural practices to evolve to meet demands of a dynamic food industry. Between 1948 and 

2019, total agricultural output in the United States grew by 175 percent stemming from a highly 

productive investment in publicly funded innovations in crop and livestock breeding, nutrient 

use, pest management, and farm and field management. In fact, the USDA Economic Research 

Service found that public agricultural research and development investments from 1900 to 2011 

generated, on average, $20 in benefits to the U.S. economy for every $1 of spending. 

Yet while the challenges we face in agriculture have become more complex, requiring novel and 

bold approaches, when adjusted for the rising cost of conducting research, federal investments in 

agricultural research have declined by a third in the past two decades, since peaking in 2002. 

Conceptually, the lower investment means that as a country we are placing less emphasis on the 

potentially life-extending work of making fresh, nutritious food available to all Americans. We 

are focusing less on ensuring a safe and secure food supply and less effort on building 

environmental and resource sustainability. In sum, we are putting less effort into helping the 

agricultural sector meet some incredible challenges. All at a time when our major trade 

competitors have increased their investments in agricultural research. 

The global population is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050. That’s over 1 billion more mouths 

to feed. We are constantly challenged to develop new and better breeds and varieties of plants 

and animals to improve productivity, sustainability, and the safety of ag products. Emerging 

pests and diseases always loom waiting to cause billions of dollars of losses to production. 

Importantly, we are facing a crisis to support the vision of well-nourished Americans making 

health-promoting diet and lifestyle choices. We are doing all this work against the backdrop of 

climate change and the critical need to preserve the nation’s natural resources.

2 
 

 

These are not easy problems to solve. Where the 

challenges that faced agriculture mid-20th Century 

were single-focus challenges to increase production, 

today’s challenges require high impact, 

transdisciplinary and convergent research. The 

Green Revolution, piloted by Norman Borlaug who 

credited USDA and public funding for agriculture 

for his work, was the last well-known disruptive 

science in agriculture and took place starting 70 

years ago. The trend to less disruptive science is 

common across scientific fields, with more papers 

and patents being published with less dramatic 

advancement.1 

AGARDA Authorization and 

Funding 

To facilitate a revival of disruptive agricultural 

science in response to the audacious challenges 

facing the food system today, Congress, through the 

2018 Farm Bill, authorized the Agriculture 

Advanced Research and Development Authority 

(AGARDA) pilot. 

2 The full text of the authorizing 

language is available in Appendix 1. 

Congress’ intent for the pilot is to support the U.S.’ ability to maintain its position as a leader in 

global agricultural research and development. AGARDA is authorized at $50M annually for 

Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-2023. The discretionary appropriations for AGARDA from FY 2019-

2023 totaled $2M, with USDA receiving $1M in both the FY 2022 (Public Law 117-103) and 

FY 2023 (Public Law 117-328) Consolidated Appropriations Act. 

AGARDA is based on the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) model which has been 

used effectively across government to catalyze the development of technologies that maintain 

and advance the capabilities of U.S. military, energy, and health industries. USDA benchmarked 

the two most visible ARPA models, established for 70 years at the Department of Defense 

(DOD), for 15 years at the Department of Energy (DOE), and one organization in its nascent 

stages at the Department of Health and Human Services. By considering all three of these 

models, USDA benefits from long-term success of the Department of Defense’s Defense

Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), intermediate-term proven adjustments from the 

The Green Revolution, by the numbers 

 In 1950 the world produced 692 million 

tons of grain for 2.2 billion people; by 

1992 production was 1.9 billion tons for 

5.6 billion people - 2.8 times the grain for 

2.2 times the population. 

 Global grain yields rose from 0.45 tons per 

acre to 1.1 tons. 

 From 1965 to 1990 the globe's daily per 

capita intake grew from 2,063 calories to 

2,495, with an increased proportion as 

protein. 

 The world's 1950 grain output of 692 

million tons came from 1.7 billion acres of 

cropland, the 1992 output of 1.9 billion 

tons from 1.73 billion acres – a 170 percent 

increase from one percent more land. 

Facts cited from Easterbrook, Gregg. Forgotten 

Benefactor of Humanity. The Atlantic 

January 1997. https://www.theatlantic.com/ 

magazine/archive/ 1997/01/forgotten-benefactor-of 

humanity/306101/. 

1 Park, M., Leahey, E. & Funk, R.J. Papers and patents are becoming less disruptive over time. Nature 613, 138–144 

(2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05543. 2 Full Text in Appendix *. 

3 
 

Department of Energy’s ARPA-E, and early thinking on the new model adjustments from 

Department of Health and Human Services’ ARPA-H. 

Benchmarks and Best Practices 

The Department of Defense’s DARPA 

The United States established DARPA in response to an effort to be the global leader in 

technological advances. The program which brings together public and private innovators to 

transform revolutionary concepts into game-changing discoveries like the Global Positioning 

System (GPS), unmanned aerial vehicles, and stealth technology. 

DARPA’s program portfolios are organized into six technical areas and managed by six 

corresponding offices. DARPA also uses ad hoc program portfolios as needed to make rapid 

progress in timely challenge areas. These temporary efforts coordinate work across the other 

portfolios and focus on accelerated results. DARPA’s organizational structure is rounded out by 

a number of support offices. 

With a small number of employees (about 200) and a simple structure, DARPA prides itself on 

being a flat organization unencumbered by barriers. A Director and Deputy Director head 

DARPA, and each of the six technical offices has an Office Director, an Assistant or Deputy 

Director, and a number of Program Managers, each with an area of expertise and program 

portfolio. 

As shown in Table 1, Congress appropriated $4 billion dollars for DARPA in FY 2023 (Public 

Law 117-328). Per DARPA’s Framework, this is 25% of DOD’s total science and technology 

funding.3 Our research shows this to be 12% of Research, Development, Test and Evaluation 

funding, Defense-wide. 

The Department of Energy’s ARPA-E 

Congress established ARPA-E in 2007 in the America COMPETES Act (Public Law 110-69). 

The mission of ARPA-E is to catalyze and accelerate the creation of transformational energy 

technologies by making investments in the early stages of development. Although ARPA-E 

works explicitly with existing projects and programs within DOE, their unique niche in DOE is 

emerging research. Although they build on their existing and past work, they expect their 

portfolio to take dramatic and unexpected turns. 

ARPA-E has 15 Program Directors working under the Director and 3 Deputy Directors. Instead 

of larger program areas like DARPA, ARPA-E has 75 programs that contain collections of 

coordinated projects focused on delivery solutions for one challenge such as “Agile Delivery of 

Electrical Power Technology.” Exploratory Topics and Open Programs fund projects that don’t

3 DARPA Creating Technology Breakthroughs and New Capabilities for National Security. Dated April 2019. Page 

35. 

4 
fit easily into the existing program portfolio. ARPA-E has a heavy emphasis on moving 

developed technologies to market, like DARPA. 

As shown in Table 1, Congress appropriated ARPA-E $470 million dollars in FY 2023 (Public 

Law 117-328). 

Table 1: Congressionally Appropriated ARPA and ARDA Dollars 

Department 

FY 2023 Advanced 

Research Project 

Appropriations 

All FY2023 R&D 

Appropriations* 

 

 

 

 

-

-

-

-

-

-

DARPA 

(Defense Advanced 

Research Projects 

Agency) 

Defense $4,060,000,000 $34,565,478,000 

ARPA E 

(Advanced Research 

Projects Agency 

Energy) 

Energy $470,000,000 $8,100,000,000 

ARPA I 

(Advanced Research 

Projects Agency 

Infrastructure) 

Transportation $3,224,000 $48,996,000 

ARPA H 

(Advanced Research 

Projects Agency 

Health) 

AGARDA 

(Agriculture Advanced 

Research and 

Development 

Authority) 

HHS $1,500,000,000 $47,500,000,000 

USDA $1,000,000 $3,614,603,000 

*Includes Research, Development, Test and Evaluation in DOD 

*Science appropriation in DOE 

*Research and Technology appropriation in DoT 

*NIH Appropriation in HHS 

*ERS, ARS, NIFA Appropriation in USDA 

5 
 

 

Department of Transportation’s ARPA-I & Department of Health and Human Services’

ARPA-H 

ARPA-I was authorized in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58, also 

referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), established to leverage science and technology 

to address efficiency, safety, and climate goals for our nation’s transportation infrastructure.

Appropriated $3.2 million by Congress in FY 2023, they will build on the DARPA and ARPA-E 

model, as will ARPA-H. To accelerate the pace of breakthroughs in medicine, ARPA-H was 

established recently in the FY 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 117-103) and 

received an initial funding of $1 billion in FY 2022. Congress then appropriated ARPA-H $1.5 

billion in FY 2023 (Public Law 117-328). 

USDA looks forward to working with these nascent Advanced Research Project Agencies as we 

stand up AGARDA. 

Foundation Concepts and Takeaways 

In considering and studying the two longest established advanced research entities, DARPA and 

ARPA-E, we identify a number of hallmark traits and best practices in common we would take 

forward in AGARDA. 

1. Fund high-risk, high-return R&D only. 

2. Hire and empower a cadre of highly motivated, short term, independent thinking program 

directors as main workforce. 

3. Create a flat organization. 

4. Focus on technology transfer and market translation by engaging with customers and 

partners throughout the process. 

5. Seek additional legislative authorities to empower AGARDA with hiring and purchasing 

powers to facilitate speed and invention. 

In addition, from the ARPA-E model, AGARDA will use a core of post docs and fellows as a 

creative resource, serving both as an additional innovation engine and a recruitment tool for 

USDA and a training tool for the next generation of ag professionals. 

AGARDA Strategic Framework 

USDA is uniquely poised to lead development of transformative technologies, research tools, 

and products through advanced research on long-term and high-risk food and agriculture 

challenges. The science team across USDA has experience, infrastructure, and a proven record of 

innovative accomplishment. The complementary intramural and extramural programs of the 

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), 

backed by the data collected and curated at National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and 

the Economic Research Service (ERS) present capability of full portfolio management. National 

and international scientific leadership and collaborative partnerships with the Land Grant 

University system and other universities and private funding and research entities mean USDA 

science is poised to move on the AGARDA concept. 

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Internally, USDA has rigorous scientific innovation efforts and programs, from revolutionizing 

basic breeding and crop growing cycles to funding last stage technology boosts to an internal XPrize based on the celebrated competition of the same name. With these learned skills and 

experience, USDA will move quickly on a new organization aimed to disrupt and confront 

agriculture’s biggest challenges. 

As we look forward, we’ve planned for a scalable program based on levels of funding. With 

current funding levels at a cadence of $1 million per year in congressional appropriations, funded 

at the current authorized level of $50 million. We have 

created an agile and scalable organization and strategic 

framework. 

We call these congressional appropriation levels 

Current Funding and Fully Authorized. Our vision is 

to construct a scalable organization, pending 

appropriation from Congress in the coming fiscal years. 

For each scenario we discuss organization and ramp up 

toward a fully functioning AGARDA. 

AGARDA Current Funding Scenario 

With current funding we are in a planning posture. This 

has involved engaging with partners and stakeholders, 

listening, and planning a pilot project. As the 

congressional Appropriations have been one-year funds 

thus far, and not permanent funding, we have not hired a 

permanent director or other staff. Hiring staff takes up 

resources quickly so we have chosen to spend instead on 

engagement and planning. 

USDA has held an internal stakeholder listening session 

and is planning a more comprehensive external listening 

session and solicitation later this year. We are 

leveraging existing partnerships to assist with this work. 

We are soliciting input on the AGARDA organization 

and a pilot project concept and topic, completing this in 

FY 2023. 

A pilot project will be commenced in FY 2024. 

Although most ARPA projects are funded for 5 years, 

we will aim to choose a project with a quicker time to 

market as proof of concept. We will aim to fund a 

project that can be completed in 2 years. 

AGARDA 

Mission 

 AGARDA will deliver high-impact 

transformative scientific solutions 

to high priority agricultural 

challenges. 

Goals 

 Combating Climate Change to 

Support America’s Working Lands,

Natural Resources and 

Communities 

 Expanding Opportunities for 

Economic Development and 

Improving Rural Communities 

 Building an Equitable and 

Competitive Marketplace for All 

Producers 

 Providing Americans with Safe, 

Nutritious Food 

Features 

AGARDA will use features, 

benchmarked from DARPA and 

ARPA-E. 

 Fund high-risk, high-return R&D 

only. 

 Hire and empower a cadre of highly 

motivated, short term, independent 

thinking program directors as main 

workforce. 

 Create a flat organization. 

 Focus on technology transfer and 

market translation by engaging 

with customers and partners 

throughout the process. 

 Seek additional legislative 

authorities to empower AGARDA 

with hiring and purchasing powers 

to facilitate speed and invention. 

7 
 

AGARDA Fully Authorized Scenario 

AGARDA is currently authorized at $50 million. If fully funded at this level, we would stand up 

a permanent AGARDA organization and optimize funding to tackle high priority agricultural 

challenges requiring scientific solutions. AGARDA will reside in the Research, Economics, and 

Education mission area of USDA, under the Chief Scientist of USDA, and on an equal 

organizational level as the existing four science and research agencies (ARS, ERS, NASS, and 

NIFA). 

As benchmarked, we will aim to keep the overhead of AGARDA under 5%, so with $2.5 million 

operating costs available from the congressional appropriated funds, we would plan to hire a 

director and 3 program managers ($2.5 

million), and 3 post-docs or fellows 

($750,000), with the remainder 

supporting administrative costs, travel, 

and expenses. The benefits of having a 

small team such as this are in achieving a 

flat structure and high collaboration at 

startup. 

AGARDA will cover legislatively 

directed areas of: 

• engineering, mechanization, or 

technology improvements that 

will address challenges relating to 

growing, harvesting, handling, 

processing, storing, packing, and 

distribution of agricultural 

products; 

• plant disease or plant pest 

recovery countermeasures to 

intentional or unintentional 

biological threats (including 

naturally occurring threats), 

including replacement or resistant 

plant cultivars or varieties; other 

enhanced management strategies, 

including novel chemical, 

biological, or cultural approaches; 

or diagnostic or surveillance 

technology; and 

• veterinary countermeasures to 

intentional or unintentional 

The Golden Goose Maxim 

USDA Science has an excellent history and decades of 

success that are based on a strong and thriving relationship 

with Congress and its other stakeholders. Being able to tell the 

stories and describe the impacts of our science is a critical 

skill and connection we must continually feed. 

Drs. Edward F. Knipling and Raymond Bushland, colleagues 

of Dr. Norman Borlaug and pioneers of the sterile insect 

technique that led to the eradication of the screwworm in the 

United States and Panama, saved the beef industry billions of 

dollars, saved animals unspeakable suffering, and kept the 

price of beef lower in the United States for consumers. Yet 

they were once awarded Senator William Proxmire’s “Golden 

Fleece Award,” which ridiculed science that sounded useless 

or odd. Even with many prestigious awards and a legacy of 

multitudinous uses throughout science, the “sex life of the

screwworm” has been a favorite target for some who like to 

talk about wasting taxpayer dollars. This was high-risk and 

high-return research. USDA science learned from the 

Knipling Bushland experience to stand behind it’s relevant 

high-risk research and is now very adept at relaying intent to 

Congress and other stakeholders on our highly relevant and 

responsive solution-based research. The Knipling Bushland 

work has since won the Golden Goose award, established as a 

foil to the Golden Fleece Award to “tremendous human and 

economic benefits of federally funded research by 

highlighting examples of seemingly obscure studies that have 

led to major breakthroughs and resulted in significant societal 

impact.”

AGARDA research will be extremely high-risk, high reward 

research. The Golden Goose concept reminds us it will be 

critical to build on the excellent relationships USDA science 

holds to keep Congress and other stakeholders informed of 

intent, progress, and failure that will inevitably occur on the 

path to disruptive science to confront audacious challenges. 

8 
 

 

biological threats (including naturally occurring threats), including animal vaccine or 

therapeutic products (including anti-infective products); or diagnostic or surveillance 

technology. 

These areas can be further arranged under USDA’s current goal areas. Four of the 5 Program 

Managers will oversee 4 Program Portfolios: 

• Combating Climate Change to Support America’s Working Lands, Natural Resources

and Communities; 

• Expanding Opportunities for Economic Development and Improving Rural Communities; 

• Building an Equitable and Competitive Marketplace for All Producers; and 

• Providing Americans with Safe, Nutritious Food. 

The remaining Program Manager will control a technology-to-market portfolio that aims to move 

high return research through scale up to market quickly. 

With $45 million of congressionally appropriated program dollars, we would plan to begin 

designing and funding mixed award portfolios selected competitively by a panel of experts both 

public and private. AGARDA will prioritize research that goes well beyond incremental 

advances in science and focus on transformative and potentially risky but with the opportunity 

for high impact. We intend to successfully leverage existing and new partnerships, a strength of 

USDA science. 

Closing Comments 

The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334) established the Agriculture 

Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA) pilot authority to develop 

technologies, research tools, and products through advanced research on long-term and high-risk 

challenges for food and agriculture to ensure that the United States maintains its position as 

leader in global agricultural R&D. 

We are excited to fully launch AGARDA, founded on our rich history of disruptive science to 

meet agriculture’s most pressing problems. Thus far, with limited funding, we have taken a 

scalable approach to plan for building the organization. USDA has benchmarked successful 

ARPA organizations and held internal stakeholder discussions. We will hold external stakeholder 

engagements before the end of the fiscal year and launch a pilot project in the next fiscal year 

(FY 2024). Depending on future appropriations from Congress, we are poised to create an 

advanced research and development organization that will fund high-risk, high-return R&D to 

complement and leverage the existing portfolios funded intramurally in ERS and ARS, 

extramurally through NIFA, and with our external partners. 

We will hire and empower a cadre of highly motivated, short term, independent thinking 

program directors as main workforce, creating a flat organization that will also use a core of post 

9 
docs and fellows as a creative resource, serving both as an additional innovation engine and a 

recruitment tool for USDA and a training tool for the next generation of ag professionals. 

AGARDA will focus on technology transfer and market translation by engaging with customers 

and partners throughout the process. 

USDA is looking forward to this exceptional opportunity to deliver responsive, practical 

solutions to our stakeholders, to the agricultural and rural communities and for the benefit of the 

American public overall. 

10 
Appendix 1 AGARDA Authorizing Legislation 

7 U.S. Code § 3319k - Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority pilot 

(a) DEFINITIONS In this section: 

(1) ADVANCED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT The term “advanced research and development” 

means research and development activities used to address research challenges in agriculture and food 

through—

(A) targeted acceleration of novel, early stage innovative agricultural research with promising 

technology applications and products; or 

(B) development of qualified products and projects, agricultural technologies, or innovative research 

tools, which may include—

(i) prototype testing, preclinical development, or field experimental use; 

(ii) assessing and assisting with product approval, clearance, or need for a license under an applicable 

law, as determined by the Director; or 

(iii) manufacturing and commercialization of a product. 

(2) AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY 

The term “agricultural technology” means machinery and other equipment engineered for an applicable 

and novel use in agriculture, natural resources, and food relating to the research and development of 

qualified products and projects. 

(3) DIRECTOR 

The term “Director” means the Director of the Agriculture Advanced Research and 

Development Authority established under subsection (b)(1). 

(4) OTHER TRANSACTION 

The term “other transaction” means a transaction other than a procurement contract, grant, or

cooperative agreement, including a transaction described in subsection (b)(6)(A). 

(5) PERSON The term “person” means—

(A) an individual; 

(B) a partnership; 

(C) a corporation; 

(D) an association; 

(E) an entity; 

(F) a public or private corporation; 

(G) a Federal, State, or local government agency or department; and 

(H) an institution of higher education, including a land-grant college or university and a non-landgrant college of agriculture. 

(6) QUALIFIED PRODUCT OR PROJECT The term “qualified product or project” means—

11 
(A) engineering, mechanization, or technology improvements that will address challenges relating to 

growing, harvesting, handling, processing, storing, packing, and distribution of agricultural products; 

(B) plant disease or plant pest recovery countermeasures to intentional or unintentional biological threats 

(including naturally occurring threats), including—

(i) replacement or resistant plant cultivars or varieties; 

(ii) other enhanced management strategies, including novel chemical, biological, or cultural approaches; 

or 

(iii) diagnostic or surveillance technology; and 

(C) veterinary countermeasures to intentional or unintentional biological threats (including naturally 

occurring threats), including—

(i) animal vaccine or therapeutic products (including anti-infective products); or 

(ii) diagnostic or surveillance technology. 

(7) RESEARCH TOOL 

The term “research tool” means a device, technology, procedure, biological material, reagent, computer

system, computer software, or analytical technique that is developed to assist in the discovery, 

development, or manufacture of a qualified product or project. 

(b) AGRICULTURE ADVANCED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 

(1) ESTABLISHMENT 

There is established within the Department of Agriculture a pilot program that shall be known as the 

Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (referred to in this section as the 

“AGARDA”) to carry out advanced research and development. 

(2) GOALS The goals of the AGARDA are—

(A) to develop and deploy advanced solutions to prevent, prepare, and protect against unintentional and 

intentional threats to agriculture and food in the United States; 

(B) to overcome barriers in the development of agricultural technologies, research tools, and qualified 

products and projects that enhance export competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and resilience to 

extreme weather; 

(C) to ensure that the United States maintains and enhances its position as a leader in developing and 

deploying agricultural technologies, research tools, and qualified projects and products that increase 

economic opportunities and security for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities; and 

(D) to undertake advanced research and development in areas in which industry by itself is not likely 

to do so because of the technological or financial uncertainty. 

(3)LEADERSHIP 

(A) In general 

The AGARDA shall be a component of the Office of the Chief Scientist. 

(B) Director 

(i) In general 

12 
The AGARDA shall be headed by a Director, who shall be appointed by the Chief Scientist. 

(ii) Qualifications The Director shall be an individual who, by reason of professional background and 

experience, is exceptionally qualified to advise the Chief Scientist on, and manage advanced research 

and development programs and other matters pertaining to—

(I) qualified products and projects; 

(II) agricultural technologies; 

(III) research tools; and 

(IV) challenges relating to the matters described in subclauses (I) through (III). 

(iii) Relationship within the Department of Agriculture 

The Director shall report to the Chief Scientist. 

(4) DUTIES To achieve the goals described in paragraph (2), the Secretary, acting through the Director, 

shall accelerate advanced research and development by—

(A) identifying and promoting advances in basic sciences; 

(B) translating scientific discoveries and inventions into technological innovations; 

(C) collaborating with other agencies, relevant industries, academia, international agencies, the 

Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, and other relevant persons to carry out the goals 

described in paragraph (2), including convening, at a minimum, annual meetings or working groups to 

demonstrate the operation and effectiveness of advanced research and development of qualified 

products and projects, agricultural technologies, and research tools; 

(D) conducting ongoing searches for, and support calls for, potential advanced research and 

development of agricultural technologies, qualified products and projects, and research tools; 

(E) awarding grants and entering into contracts, cooperative agreements, or other transactions under 

paragraph (6) for advanced research and development of agricultural technology, qualified products 

and projects, and research tools; 

(F) establishing issue-based multidisciplinary teams to reduce the time and cost of solving specific 

problems that—

(i) are composed of representatives from Federal and State agencies, professional groups, academia, and 

industry; 

(ii) seek novel and effective solutions; and 

(iii) encourage data sharing and translation of research to field use; and 

(G) serving as a resource for interested persons regarding requirements under relevant laws that impact 

the development, commercialization, and technology transfer of qualified products and projects, 

agricultural technologies, and research tools. 

(5) PRIORITY In awarding grants and entering into contracts, cooperative agreements, or other 

transactions under paragraph (4)(E), the Secretary shall give priority to projects that accelerate 

the advanced research and development of qualified products and projects that—

(A)address critical research and development needs for technology for specialty crops; or 

13 
 

 

(B)prevent, protect, and prepare against intentional and unintentional threats to agriculture and food. 

(6) OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITIES 

(A) In general 

In carrying out the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall have the authority to enter 

into other transactions in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as transactions 

that the Secretary of Defense may enter into under section 4021 of title 10. 

(B) Scope 

The authority of the Secretary to enter into contracts, cooperative agreements, and other 

transactions under this subsection shall be in addition to the authorities under this chapter and title I of 

the Department of Agriculture and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 1964 (7 U.S.C. 3318a), to use 

contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants in carrying out the pilot program under this section. 

(C) Guidelines 

The Secretary shall establish guidelines regarding the use of the authority under subparagraph (A). 

(D)Technology transfer 

In entering into other transactions, the Secretary may negotiate terms for technology transfer in the 

same manner as a Federal laboratory under paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 3710a(b) of title 15. 

(7) AVAILABILITY OF DATA 

(A) In general 

The Secretary shall require that, as a condition of being awarded a contract or grant or entering into a 

cooperative agreement or other transaction under paragraph (4)(E), a person shall make available to 

the Secretary on an ongoing basis, and submit to the Secretary on request of the Secretary, all data 

relating to or resulting from the activities carried out by the person pursuant to this section. 

(B) Exemption from disclosure 

(i) In general 

This subparagraph shall be considered a statute described in section 552(b)(3)(B) of title 5. 

(ii) Exemption The following information shall be exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 

5 and withheld from the public: 

(I) Specific technical data or scientific information that is created or obtained under this section that 

reveals significant and not otherwise publicly known vulnerabilities of existing agriculture and food 

defenses against biological, chemical, nuclear, or radiological threats. 

(II) Trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential (within the 

meaning of section 552(b)(4) of title 5) and obtained in the conduct of research or as a result of 

activities under this section from a non-Federal party participating in a contract, grant, cooperative 

agreement, or other transaction under this section. 

(iii) Limitation 

Information that results from research and development activities conducted under this section and that 

would be a trade secret or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential if the 

14 
information had been obtained from a non-Federal party participating in a cooperative agreement or other 

transaction shall be withheld from disclosure under subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5 for 5 years. 

(8) MILESTONE-BASED PAYMENTS ALLOWED In awarding contracts and grants and entering into 

cooperative agreements or other transactions under paragraph (4)(E), the Secretary may—

(A) use milestone-based awards and payments; and 

(B) terminate a project for not meeting technical milestones. 

(9) USE OF EXISTING PERSONNEL AUTHORITIES 

In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary may appoint highly qualified individuals to scientific or 

professional positions on the same terms and conditions as provided in subsections (b)(3), (b)(4), (c), (d), 

(e), and (f) of section 7657 of this title. 

(10) REPORT AND EVALUATION 

(A) Report 

The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the 

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate an annual report examining the actions 

undertaken and results generated by the AGARDA. 

(B) Evaluation After the date on which the AGARDA has been in operation for 3 years, the Comptroller 

General of the United States shall conduct an evaluation—

(i) to be completed and submitted to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and 

the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate not later than 1 year after the date on 

which the Comptroller General began conducting the evaluation; 

(ii) describing the extent to which the AGARDA is achieving the goals described in paragraph (2); and 

(iii) including a recommendation on whether the AGARDA should be continued, terminated, or 

expanded. 

(c) STRATEGIC PLAN 

(1) IN GENERAL Not later than 360 days after December 20, 2018, the Secretary shall develop and make 

publicly available a strategic plan describing the strategic vision that the AGARDA shall use—

(A) to make determinations for future investments during the period of effectiveness of this section; and 

(B) to achieve the goals described in subsection (b)(2). 

(2) DISSEMINATION 

The Secretary shall disseminate the information contained in the strategic plan under paragraph (1) 

to persons who may have the capacity to substantially contribute to the activities described in that 

strategic plan. 

(3 ) COORDINATION; CONSULTATION The Secretary shall—

(A) update and coordinate the strategic coordination plan under section 6922(d)(7) of this title with the 

strategic plan developed under paragraph (1) for activities relating to agriculture and food defense 

countermeasure development and procurement; and 

(B) in developing the strategic plan under paragraph (1), consult with—

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(i) the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory 

Board established under section 3123(a) of this title; 

(ii) the specialty crops committee established under section 3123a(a)(1) of this title; 

(iii) relevant agriculture research agencies of the Federal Government; 

(iv) the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; 

(v) the National Veterinary Stockpile Intra-Government Advisory Committee for Strategic Steering; and 

(vi) other appropriate parties, as determined by the Secretary. 

(d) FUNDS 

(1) ESTABLISHMENT There is established in the Treasury the Agriculture Advanced Research and 

Development Fund, which shall be administered by the Secretary, acting through the Director—

(A) for the purpose of carrying out this section; and 

(B) in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as are applicable to the Secretary of 

Defense under section 4021 of title 10. 

(2) DEPOSITS INTO FUND 

(A) In general 

The Secretary, acting through the Director, may accept and deposit into the Fund monies received 

pursuant to cost recovery, contribution, or royalty payments under a contract, grant, cooperative 

agreement, or other transaction under this section. 

(B) Availability of amounts in fund 

Amounts deposited into the fund shall remain available until expended, without further appropriation, and 

may be used to carry out the purposes of this section. 

(C) Clarification 

Nothing in this paragraph authorizes the use of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation to carry 

out this section. 

(3) FUNDING 

In addition to funds otherwise deposited in the Fund under paragraph (1) or (2), there is authorized to be 

appropriated to the Fund $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, to remain available 

until expended. 

(e) TERMINATION OF EFFECTIVENESS 

(1) IN GENERAL 

Except as provided under paragraph (2), the authority provided by this section terminates on the date that 

is 5 years after December 20, 2018. 

(2) EXCEPTIONS Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to—

(A) subsection (b)(7)(B); and 

(B) grants awarded or contracts, cooperative agreements, or other transactions entered into before the 

end of the 5-year period referred to in such clause.[1] 

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(Pub. L. 95–113, title XIV, § 1473H, as added Pub. L. 115–334, title VII, § 7132, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 

4796; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, § 1702(l)(1), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2160.) 

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