PI Action Items

FY21-NCE and FY23-YR2 Peformance Reports

All funded USDA-ARS/USWBSI PIs, are required to provide an annual Peformance Report within 90 days of the reporting period end date. Personalized report templates are provided each year to PIs upon the completion or nearing completion of their award period. The USDA-ARS offers additional guidance on how to resepond to the key required progress questions, view >>  USDA-ARS Peformance Report Guidance

Deadline for FY21-NCE and FY23-Y2 Reports - Wednesay, July 25, 2024

FY24-YR3 Funding Requests

The USDA-ARS is in the process of reviewing all the FY24-YR3 fudning requests, we wil provide updates as available on expected decision timing.

FY25-YR4 and YR2 Funding Requests

PIs with current agreements who will be requesting their YR4 and YR2 continuation can expect details in early August, all coninuation submissions will be due by September 19, 2024.

Deadline for FY24-YR3 Funding Requests - September 19, 2024 

PI Award Management FAQs

Am I required to fully spend out my award?

PIs are expected to fully spend out all of the funds provided in their agreements within the award period provided. The funding for this type of agreement requires that any deobligated funds are returned to the U.S. general treasury (they are not able to be redirected to USDA-ARS).  As a result, a deobligation of funds is not viewed favorably by USDA-ARS. All efforts should be made to fully spend out the funds before closing the agreement. 

What if I need to adjust my spending compared to my original budget? 

The USDA-ARS provides options for reallocating your budget depending on unexpected circumstances or needed adjustments in your projects. A request for reallocation needs to be submitted to USWBSI-NFO for processing. A special budget reallocation form along with response to key questions regarding the request is required and must be approved by your insitutional sponsored programs contact. Contact nfo@scabusa.org for details.

I've taken a new position, how can I change my agreement to a different PI?

With advancements and retirements there may be instances where the PI on an agreement may need to be changed. A request for PI change must be sent to the USWBSI-NFO for processing. Provide an explanation along with the CV of the new PI for consideration to nfo@scabusa.org.

Does the USDA-ARS/USWBSI allow carryover of funds from one year to another?

In an effort to ensure agreements are fully spent out, the USWBSI has updated its carryover policy. PIs are limited to carryover no more than the lesser of $5,000 or 10% of the last award received. The USWBSI is providing regular communications to PIs based on the financial reporting to encourage spending is on track throughout the award period. Those PIs who exceed this threshold at the time of the year end financial reports, will be notified that their next year award will be adjusted to account for the unspent funds.  

How should I acknowledge a USWBSI grant in a publication?

If a presentation or submitted publication is the result of funding (full or partial) received from USDA-ARS through the USWBSI, acknowledgement of this support must be included in one of the following formats (examples below):

• Funds Awarded to PIs from Land Grant Universities
  "This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. (insert ARS agreement number here). This is a cooperative project with the U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative." 
• Funds Awarded to USDA-ARS PIs
  "This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This is a cooperative project with the U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative."

All such materials must also contain the following disclaimer unless the publication is formally cleared by USDA: "Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture."

Do you have a high resolution USWBSI logo I can use with acknowledgements?

We'd love to have you include the USWBSI logo when it works in your presentations or posters. Here are two file options you can download and use as needed.