The goals of this program are to support research on plant genomics, and to accelerate the acquisition and utilization of new knowledge and innovative approaches to elucidate fundamental biological processes in plants. Continuing the theme of the FY2000 competition, this year's competition focuses on functional genomics, the identification of functions of a pathway or a cluster of genes at a genomic scale. Also encouraged is development of techniques, methods, devices and other tools that would enable a broad community of investigators to participate in plant genome research.
Emphasis is placed on plants of economic importance and plant processes of potential economic value.
Research involving lower plants will not be accepted in this program unless compelling reasons are presented. Proposals are invited from U.S. academic institutions, U.S. non-profit research institutions, and consortia of institutions with appropriate research and educational facilities. A proposal from multi-institutional consortia must be submitted by the lead institution as a single proposal. Approximately 20 new awards are anticipated in FY2001. Requests at a higher level will be considered if well-justified.