Policy Tools » Policy Action for Ecological Scientists: USDA-NRI
Date, 2007
The Honorable (first and last name of Senator)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator (last name of Senator):
(OR FOR LETTERS TO REPRESENTATIVES):
The Honorable (full name of Congressperson)
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative (LAST NAME OF CONGRESSMAN):
As a constituent, I write to express my concern about the Administration's proposed $10 million cut to the Department of Agriculture's National Research Initiative ( NRI ). The NRI is the Department's primary, competitive, peer-reviewed grants program that supports extramural research. These research efforts in food safety, nutrition, crop production, ecosystem services and health, and alternative fuels have produced tangible returns on past federal investments. [PROVIDE A SPECIFIC EXAMPLE].
The NRI should receive $264 million to cover the costs of the increased responsibilities of the proposed transfer of USDA integrated programs and increase funding for the base programs by 7 percent.
Competitive, peer-reviewed research is vital to the nation's ability to meet current and future challenges ranging from food supply and safety to energy solutions. Thank you for consideration of this request to bolster funding for the USDA's National Research Initiative.
Sincerely,
Your name and home mailing address
