The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories. NSF was established in 1950 by Congress to promote the progress of science, advance the national health, prosperity and welfare, and secure the national defense.
The Developing Country Collaborations in Plant Genome Research (DCC-PGR) awards aim to support collaborative research that links US researchers with counterparts in developing countries. The program focuses on addressing mutual interests in agriculture, energy, and the environment, placing researchers at the heart of a global scientific network. Its long-term goal is to foster sustained engagement with developing countries in plant biotechnology research, emphasizing the development of biotechnologies that address the specific needs and crops relevant to these nations. The awards encourage proposals that align with the broad goals of the Plant Genome Research Program (PGRP), particularly those enhancing previous PGRP work and addressing issues unique to crops in the developing world. Activities supported include joint research projects and reciprocal short- or long-term exchanges of investigators and students, fostering equal partnerships and focusing on problems critical to developing countries.