By Cameron Rudolph
Through the Research Facilities Act Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) has awarded more than $16.2 million for Michigan State University’s ongoing Plant Science Research Greenhouse Complex renovations.
Per the program’s requirements, MSU is providing matching funds to create more than $32.5 million in new support for the project. MSU received the third-largest award from the total $121 million investment in research facilities across the country.
The Research Facilities Act Program provides financial assistance to institutions for the construction, alteration or modernization of research facilities that host basic, applied and developmental agricultural research.
The program places an emphasis on infrastructure that promotes research, teaching and extension activities that enable the training of future researchers and professionals in a wide range of agricultural industries. Program priorities focus on themes such as advancing agricultural productivity and profitability, supporting domestic agricultural markets, promoting sustainable resource use, and enhancing resilience against insects, diseases and environmental pressures.
Source : msu.edu