USDA Office of the Chief Scientist Overview
The USDA Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) plays a crucial role in facilitating scientific coordination and collaboration across USDA agencies. It comprises a structured organizational setup with key positions dedicated to scientific integrity, communication, and coordination. The Acting Chief Scientist oversees these functions, ensuring that science informs USDA policy decisions. Through various committees and collaborations, the OCS drives scientific initiatives within USDA and represents the department on national science councils.
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Outline: OCS Overview: Organizational Structure USDA Coordination Scientific Integrity Senior Advisors/Science Fellows Science Communication Questions
Acting Chief Scientist of USDA The role of Acting Chief Scientist is held by the Acting Under Deputy Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (REE) Chief Scientist role was established by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (Farm Bill) of 2008 Director, Office of the Chief Scientist
OCS Staff Organization USDA Chief Scientist Director Public Affairs Director Office of the Chief Scientist Strategic Planning and Program Evaluation Officer Deputy Director Public Affairs Specialist Departmental Scientific Integrity Officer Communications Fellow Fellows (FEP and AAAS) Senior Advisor for International Affairs Administrative Assistant Veterinary Science Policy Advisor Senior Advisors Plant Health Plant Health and Production and Production Agricultural Agricultural Systems Systems Animal Health and Production and Production Animal Health Food Safety & Food Safety & Nutrition Nutrition Ag Economics & Rural Comm. & Rural Comm. Ag Economics Renewable Energy/ Nat. Res. & Environ.
USDA Cross-Department Coordination Facilitates cross-Department coordination and collaboration among all USDA agencies Office of the Chief Scientist USDA Science Council USDA Agencies Informs policy and program decisions to assure that science informs policy
USDA Science Council OCS convenes the USDA Science Council to further facilitate scientific coordination and collaboration across USDA Joint Remote Sensing Coordinating Committee Education Coordinating Committee Emerging Technologies Team Statistics Committee Committee on Biorisk Management Policy International Committee
Other OCS Coordination: White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP): USDA Chief Scientist is the USDA representative on principal committees making up the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) in OSTP OCS tracks which USDA employees are representing the Department on National Science and Technology Council entities OCS coordinates review of NSTC documents requiring Departmental clearance by the Chief Scientist
Other OCS Coordination: Stakeholder Activities Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) Authorized by Congress as part of the 2014 Farm Bill, the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) operates as a non-profit corporation leveraging public and private resources to increase the scientific and technological research, innovation, and partnerships. FFAR Ex Officio Board Members include Secretary Perdue, ARS Administrator Dr. Jacobs-Young, and NIFA Acting Director Shanower The REE Under Secretary is delegated by the Secretary to lead the USDA review of proposed FFAR activities to ensure that the FFAR s work complements, rather than duplicates, USDA activities. OCS coordinates review of FFAR proposals for program areas and requests for funding to ensure activities are complementary to USDA activities.
Other OCS Coordination: Stakeholder Activities National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board (NAREEE) (1996) NAREEE is legislatively mandated to review the relevance and adequacy (R&A) of funding of REE research as specified in the REE Action Plan. OCS annually compiles agency data and drafts an Executive Summary for the NAREEE R&A committee to use as a guide in their review OCS serves as experts, and advises on USDA policy to the NAREEEAB, as requested
Strategic Planning and Program Evaluation: Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area, USDA 2017 Activities Report Annual reporting of significant accomplishments supporting the USDA research goals (REE Action Plan Progress Report) Identify and leverage key components of the agricultural research and delivery system to that support the USDA Strategic Goals
Scientific Integrity: Promote a culture of scientific integrity as the norm Develop and implement training materials Ensure the quality, accuracy and transparency of scientific and technical information supported by the USDA Ensure scientific communication free of political interference Ensure dispute resolution mechanisms are in place
Vision Strengthen Science Leadership: raise the visibility of USDA Science- science seminars, updating website Enhance Outreach and Awareness -OCS Roadshow Improve National Coordination-working with professional societies.
