# NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act

This bill directs two major government science agencies—the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)—to work together on research projects that benefit both organizations. Instead of each agency working separately, they'll coordinate their efforts, share resources, and combine their expertise to tackle problems that matter to agriculture and science innovation.

The bill covers a wide range of research areas that blend agriculture with cutting-edge technology. This includes studying how plants and animals can better handle agricultural challenges, improving food and water safety, developing artificial intelligence and robotics for farming, creating better soil sensors, and strengthening rural communities. The agencies can also work with universities, community colleges, nonprofits, and private companies on these projects. All research funding will go through competitive merit-based processes, meaning projects have to prove they're worth the investment.

Beyond just research, the bill emphasizes education and workforce development. The agencies can fund programs to teach K-12 students about agriculture, train teachers, develop agricultural science curricula, and create centers focused on agricultural research and education at colleges and technical schools. This is meant to build a pipeline of skilled workers for agricultural and science careers. The bill also allows the agencies to invest in research infrastructure like new equipment and broadband access in rural areas, and to help turn research discoveries into products that businesses can actually use.

Within two years, the USDA and NSF must report to Congress on how well their collaboration is working, what they've accomplished together, and whether they should continue coordinating. The bill includes security requirements to protect sensitive research information, following guidelines from the broader CHIPS and Science Act passed in 2022.