AFSI Newsletter - March 2021
Request for Pre-Proposals: Biosafety Research in Bangladesh Grants Program
AFSI is once again soliciting pre-proposals for the Biosafety Research in Bangladesh Grants Program. Supported through our USAID-funded South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP), AFSI will be awarding grants to qualified applicants ranging between $15,000-$25,000 USD for laboratory, field, or literature research that will significantly advance the body of knowledge relevant to biosafety in Bangladesh. SABP launched the Biosafety Research in Bangladesh Grants Program (BRBGP) in 2019 to improve science-based risk assessment knowledge, and 2021 marks the third round of awards. Pre-proposals for this competitive grants program must include at least one collaborating scientist who resides and works in Bangladesh, and consortia comprised of research and regulatory institutions, as well as those between research institutions in Bangladesh and those from other countries or international institutions, are strongly encouraged. The deadline for submitting pre-proposals is March 31, 2021, and SABP is organizing a workshop on writing pre-proposals for this year's BRBGP on March 6, 2021.
New E-Learning Courses

AFSI is expanding its catalogue of biosafety and biotechnology courses with the launch of Environmental Risk Assessment of Non-Target Organisms for GE Crops and Genetic Variability in Crops. As with all our online resources, these courses are made available to regulatory agencies, academics, the private sector, and other interested stakeholders upon request, free of charge. Those who already have access to our e-learning portal can take the courses starting today.
Environmental Risk Assessment of Non-Target Organisms for GE Crops
What are non-target organisms (NTOs) and when is NTO testing informative? This online course will present when, why, and how environmental risk assessments (ERAs) for GE crops are informed by assessments and testing of NTOs and includes a review of problem formulation, the development of testable risk hypotheses, and the selection of NTOs and surrogate species for testing.

Genetic Variability in Crops
What is genetic variability and how do plant breeders harness genetic variability to improve crops? This course will provide a basic review of genetics and plant breeding, an overview of modern breeding technologies, and discuss how new plant cultivars are released. Upon completing this course, students should have a better understanding of the techniques used to generate improved crop cultivars, the science behind plant breeding, and the context for premarket risk assessments associated with GE crops.