The National Plant Genome Initiative (NPGI) was established in 1998 as a coordinated national plant genome research program by the Interagency Working Group (IWG) on Plant Genomes with representa-tives from the Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Energy (DOE), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Since 1998, the field of plant genomics has made tremendous strides under the NPGI. It has changed the way research is conducted in plant biology; it has attracted a new generation of scientists into the field; and it has contributed new information and knowl-edge to science. Through development of plant genomic resources, the NPGI has built a foundation on which the scientific community can advance research, not only in plant genomics but also in diverse disciplines ranging from fundamental biological sciences to biotechnology.

In this report, the IWG describes the NPGI plan for the next five years (2003 – 2008). The IWG solicited and received input from many sources, which formed the basis for this plan. Objectives for the next five years of the NPGI will build on recent scientific and technical advances to ensure continued advancement in plant genomics specifically and plant sciences in general. In order to fully capitalize on the investments made to date and to enable further advances in plant genome research, the IWG recommends continued and increased investment in the NPGI by all the participating agencies. The funds will continue to be ex-pended on a competitive basis using rigorous peer review. As in the first five years of the NPGI, the IWG will monitor progress and report major accomplishments annually.

For further information, contact:

National Science and Technology Council Executive Secretariat at (202)456-6101 (voice) or (202)456-6027 (fax).

Also available on the NSTC Home Page at http://ostp.gov/NSTC/html/NSTC_Home.html