Welcome to the Midwest Area Agricultural Research Service!

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Postdoctoral research scientist Adriana Ortiz-Lopez uses a spectrophotometer to examine the different pigments contained in canola seed extracts while plant physiologist John Whitmarsh prepares a new sample for analysis.

Grassed waterways carry runoff from crop fields safely.

Woman testing microorganisms for converting soybean oil.

TYPES OF AGREEMENTS

OUTGOING FUNDS

Specific Cooperative Agreement

Agreement between ARS and another party with mutuality of interests and contributions and will directly benefit ARS in-house research. The cooperation is jointly planned and executed.

Outgoing Grant

Transfer of ARS funds to a recipient to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation (will not benefit ARS directly). No substantial involvement is anticipated between ARS and the recipient during the performance. These should be competitive as practical. Non-competitive awards can be made only where the ADO makes a written documentation that competition is not deemed appropriate.

Assistance Type Cooperative Agreement

Transfer of ARS funds to a recipient to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation (will not benefit ARS directly). Substantial involvement is anticipated between ARS and the recipient during the performance. These should be competitive as practical. Non-competitive awards can be made only where the ADO makes a written documentation that competition is not deemed appropriate.

Research Support Agreement

Cost-reimbursable agreement between ARS and a State Cooperative Institution for ARS to acquire goods and services.

INCOMING FUNDS

Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement

Cooperative research between ARS and another party where ARS is paid in advance to conduct research. This agreement lacks the provision for exclusive licensing of ARS inventions. Information developed by ARS can be withheld only to protect intellectual property rights until patent application.

Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement

Cooperative research between ARS and another party where the Cooperator is billed for completed work by ARS. This agreement lacks the provision for exclusive licensing of ARS inventions. Information developed by ARS can be withheld only to protect intellectual property rights until patent application.

Cooperative Research and Development Agreement

Agreement to conduct technology transfer activities with the other party contributing funds in partial support of ARS efforts.

1. It gives the Cooperator the right to negotiate an exclusive license in at least one field of use to any ARS solely or jointly owned invention conceived under the agreement.

2. Permits ARS, at its option, to keep information developed under the CRADA confidential for up to 5 years unless the info is already proprietary to the Cooperator which would be confidential indefinitely. (NEGOTIATED THRU TTC)

(NO FUND) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS

Master Memorandum of Understanding (MMOU)

An agreement between ARS and another party covering a broad area of cooperative work. The MMOU outlines the general principles of cooperation, describes mutual interest and benefit in broad language, and identifies responsibilities of both parties.

Memorandum of Understanding

An agreement between ARS and another party(ies) that sets out, in very broad, general terms, a plan for the parties to coordinate their efforts on projects of mutual interest. No specific duties and responsibilities are defined. Only general terms which identify how the parties intend to cooperate are described. There is no substantial commitment of resources by ARS and there is no direct transfer of funding from one party to the other.

Non-funded Cooperative Agreement (NFCA)

An agreement between ARS and another party(s) that describes in detail a jointly planned and executed project of mutual interest. All parties contribute resources and benefit independently in the outcome of the project. It is expected that ARS will commit resources, e.g., salaries, travel expenses, materials and supplies, etc., sufficient to support ARS’ performance of the project. There is however, no direct transfer of funding from ARS to the other party(ies).

Standard Cooperative Agreement

A special purpose agreement between ARS and another party that defines a mutually beneficial relationship relative to the use of land, labor, equipment, facilities, livestock, or other resources. There is no direct transfer of funding from one party to the other. The agreement provides that the cooperator shall be compensated for losses suffered due to damage to the property of the owner which is used by ARS employees.

Material Transfers

Provide materials outside ARS but wants control over the materials and also avoid public disclosure. Materials are also brought into ARS but may restrict usage, giving to a third party, and commercial use. COPY IS ON OTT HOMEPAGE (NEGOTIATED THRU TTC)

Confidentiality Agreements

Discussions of unpublished information or data with someone outside ARS with patent potential. COPY IS ON OTT HOMEPAGE (NEGOTIATED THRU TTC)