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Howdy,
2025 began with a new President of the United States whose promise to reduce the national deficit has spurred changes to our federal agencies. Uncertainty continues to challenge many of the funding agencies with which we interact, but our team’s commitment and the mission of AgriLife Research remain steadfast: Advance science toward a vision of healthy lives and livelihoods, which continue to improve through abundant, affordable, and high-quality food and agricultural products in Texas and around the world.
We recognize arising concerns among our AgriLife Research faculty and staff, and we are here to support you as we actively monitor the situation. With many factors outside our control during this time of transition, we must focus on actions we can take to strengthen our research and ensure its continued resilience and impact:
Continue to Pursue Excellence
Maintain the momentum of your research projects as best you can and be flexible.
Strengthen Existing Networks
Reach out to your collaborators, stakeholders, and industry partners. This can open doors to diverse funding opportunities and support.
Utilize Available Resources
Sponsored Research Services (SRS) remains your primary point of contact for project-specific questions. Find more resources at the AgriLife Research intranet.
Explore Internal Funding Opportunities
AgriLife Research has released two new requests for proposals (RFPs): the State Agricultural Air Quality Research Seed Grant Program and the State Insect Vector Diseases Seed Grant Program. These internal funding opportunities represent our continued investment in critical research areas. Please see the AgriLife Intranet for information. Additional opportunities will be released in April and May.
Engage with Leadership
Bring questions and concerns to your unit leader, AgriLife Research leadership, SRS, AgriLife Administrative Services, and our Corporate Engagement and Research Support (CERS) team. We are here to support you.
Legislative Update
The Texas legislative session is in full swing, and we have testified about our excellent work to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Appropriations Committee on Education. We continue work on our request for $26 million over the biennium, supporting ‘Intelligent Agricultural Systems. Demand on our food and fiber systems will increase in the coming years. Our goal is to aggressively invest in people, new technologies, and infrastructure that rapidly advance science to handle the challenge.
Looking Forward
As spring approaches, we look forward to seeing the landscape green up, crops emerging, and livestock being born. Be sure to reflect on the positive impacts that you and your work have had on the lives and livelihoods of all Texans and the global community. I appreciate all you do.
Gig ‘em!
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