Bill > HR3707

This bill establishes a collaborative research framework between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to jointly advance their mission requirements and priorities. The legislation directs these agencies to conduct cross-cutting research through memoranda of understanding and interagency agreements, focusing on diverse areas such as agricultural biology, food and nutrition security, rural economic development, cyber-physical systems, and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and digital agriculture. The bill supports research infrastructure, promotes collaboration between federal agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations, and aims to develop translational technologies and support STEM education and workforce development. Key activities include conducting collaborative research, facilitating data sharing, supporting research infrastructure, developing agricultural science curricula, establishing research centers, and awarding grants to educational institutions. The agencies are required to submit a report to Congress within two years detailing their interagency coordination, research achievements, and future opportunities. The bill emphasizes research security and provides clear definitions for terms like "community college" and "institution of higher education" to ensure comprehensive implementation of the collaborative research initiative.