This project is providing greater communication, collaboration, and alignment between states, regions, and national soybean resources for the identification and execution of high priority research that will bring short- and long-term benefit to US soybean farmers in ways that better coordinate and extend current investments.

Upon notification of funding, staff from the regional soybean checkoff organizations (Atlantic Soybean Council, Southern Soybean Research Program, Mid-South Soybean Board and North Central Soybean Research Program) and the U.S. Soybean Research Collaborative (USSRC) worked together with farmer-leaders to identify research priorities and release a request for proposals with funding available for one large project spanning multiple regions and other projects focused on single regions. Twenty-two proposals were received through this process. Farmer-leaders reviewed the proposals, and unanimously selected the large project spanning multiple regions. Regional soybean checkoff organizations, USSRC, and USB staffs were part of the project selection process to ensure these projects meet the goals of all groups involved. Working with USB, a press release was distributed announcing the funding and the collaborative efforts taking place under this project. The remaining funding was split equally among the regional research collaborations to build on large-scale projects in their respective region. The Atlantic Soybean Council, Southern Soybean Research Program, and Mid-South Soybean Board partnered again to select a project for funding that benefits all three regions. The North Central Soybean Research Program also utilized their portion of the funding for innovative soybean research projects within their region. Results of all funded research projects will be disseminated to collaborators and through the Soybean Research Information Network. Final reports for these projects are due January 31, 2024.