1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov May 1, 2020Relocation of the USDA Research Agencies: NIFA and ERSIn October 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) relocated most staff positions at two of its research agenciesthe National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Economic Research Se
2、rvice (ERS)from their long-term location in Washington, DC, to Kansas City, MO. About 75% of affected employees declined to relocate and left the agencies. While ERS and NIFA have prioritized hiring new staff, some agency activities have been reduced or delayed. The USDA budget request for FY2021 pr
3、oposes an ERS staff level that is 41% lower than in FY2018before the relocation. Agency Background NIFA is USDAs principal extramural research agency (awarding grants to non-federal entities). It administers approximately $1.5 billion in federal funding annually. NIFA supports research, education, a
4、nd extension projects conducted in partnership with land-grant colleges and universities, other institutions and organizations, and individuals. NIFA awards include capacity (formula-based) and competitive grants. ERS is a USDA intramural research agency (employing federal researchers). It has an an