Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 1.djvu/574

 112 STAT. 548 PUBLIC LAW 105-185-JUNE 23, 1998 "(2) to focus on the species that will yield scientifically important results that will enhance the usefulness of many agriculturally important species; "(3) to budld on genomic research, such as the Human Genome Initiative and the Arabidc^sis Grenome Project, to understand gene structure and function that is expected to have considerable payoffs in agriculturally important species; "(4) to develop improved bioinformatics to enhance both sequence or structure determination and analysis of the biological function of genes and gene products; "(5) to encourage Federal Government participants to maximize the utility of public and private partnerships for agricultural genome research; "(6) to allow resources developed under this section, including data, software, germplasm, and other biological materials, to be openly accessible to all persons, subject to any confidentiality requirements imposed by law; and "(7) to encourage international partnerships with each partner country responsible for financing its own strategy for agricultural genome research. "(b) DUTIES OF SECRETARY.—The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the 'Secretary*) shall conduct a research initiative (to be known as the 'Agricultural Genome Initiative') for the purpose of— "(1) studying and mapping agriculturally significant genes to achieve sustainable and secure agricultural production; "(2) ensuring that current gaps in existing agricultural genetics knowledge are filled; "(3) identifying and developing a functional understanding of genes responsible for economically important traits in agriculturally important species, including emerging plant and animal diseases causing economic hardship; "(4) ensuring future genetic improvement of agriculturally important species; "(5) supporting preservation of diverse germplasm; "(6) ensuring preservation of biodiversity to maintain access to genes that may be of importance in the future; and "(7) otherwise carrying out this section. "(c) GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS. — "(1) AUTHORITY.— The Secretary may make grants or enter into cooperative agreements with individuals and organizations in accordance with section 1472 of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3318). "(2) COMPETITIVE BASIS.—^A grant or cooperative agreement under this subsection shall be made or entered into on a competitive basis. Applicability. "(d) ADMINISTRATION. —Paragraphs (1), (6), (7), and (11) of subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 450i) shall apply with respect to the making of a grant or cooperative agreement under this section. " (e) MATCHING OF FUNDS. — "(1) GENERAL REQUIREMENT. —I f a grant or cooperative agreement under this section provides a particular benefit to the recipient to provide funds or in-kind support to match
 * a specific agricultural commodity, the Secretary shall require

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