Agricultural Research Service: Assessing the Merits and Challenges of the Current Participating Agency Service Agreement

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) partner with research institutions in foreign countries through a reimbursable Participating Agency Service Agreement (PASA), managed by ARS’ Office of International Research Programs (OIRP). ARS supports USAID by providing scientists and technical experts for posting within USAID and supports their administration. In addition, the PASA allows USAID and ARS to develop cooperative activities of mutual interest which are implemented in partnership with research institutions in developing countries. USAID benefits from the PASA by having access to a vast pool of quality scientific and technical resources to implement U.S. development assistance. USAID can benefit from ARS’ role as a mission-driven agency that can focus on challenges for many years to a successful conclusion. ARS scientists benefit from the PASA by having non-competitive funding available for specific projects that provide international opportunities to test hypotheses, collaborate and enhance aspects of their domestic research projects. U.S. agriculture ultimately benefits from these international collaborations.