12 2 STA T . 2 0 0 5PUBLIC LA W 110 – 2 46—J U NE 1 8, 2008 thecri tic aln ee dsof the s p ecialt y crop ind u stry b yde v elopin g and disse m inating science - based tools to address needs of specific crops and their regions , including —‘ ‘ (1) research in plant breeding, genetics, and genomics to improve crop characteristics, such as— ‘‘( A ) product, taste, q uality, and appearance
‘‘( B ) environmental responses and tolerances; ‘‘( C ) nutrient management, including plant nutrient upta k e efficiency; ‘‘( D ) pest and disease management, including resist- ance to pests and diseases resulting in reduced application management strategies; and ‘‘( E ) enhanced phytonutrient content; ‘‘( 2 ) efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases, including threats to specialty crop pollinators; ‘‘( 3 ) efforts to improve production efficiency, productivity, and profitability over the long term (including specialty crop policy and marketing); ‘‘( 4 )ne w innovations and technology, including improved mechani z ation and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening; and ‘‘( 5 ) methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control, and respond to potential food safety hazards in the production and processing of specialty crops, including fresh produce . ‘‘(c) E LIG I B L E E NT ITIE S .— T he S ecretary may carry out the I ni- tiative through— ‘‘(1) F ederal agencies; ‘‘(2) national laboratories; ‘‘(3) colleges and universities; ‘‘(4) research institutions and organizations; ‘‘(5) private organizations or corporations; ‘‘( 6 ) State agricultural e x periment stations; ‘‘( 7 ) individuals; or ‘‘( 8 ) groups consisting of 2 or more entities described in paragraphs (1) through (7). ‘‘(d) R ESE ARCHP R OJ ECTS.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall award grants on a competitive basis. ‘‘(e) A DM INISTRATION.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.— W ith respect to grants awarded under subsection (d), the Secretary shall— ‘‘(A) seek and accept proposals for grants; ‘‘(B) determine the relevance and merit of proposals through a system of peer and merit review in accordance with section 1 0 3; and ‘‘(C) award grants on the basis of merit, quality, and relevance. ‘‘(2) TERM.—The term of a grant under this section may not exceed 10 years. ‘‘(3) M ATCHING FU NDS RE Q UIRED.—The Secretary shall require the recipient of a grant under this section to provide funds or in-kind support from non-Federal sources in an amount that is at least equal to the amount provided by the Federal G overnment. ‘‘(4) O THER CONDITIONS.—The Secretary may set such other conditions on the award of a grant under this section as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. Grants. Grants.
�
