The U.

S.

Department of AgricultureÂ’s (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) invites proposals for a competitive grant to establish and fund a USDA Center for Behavioral and Experimental Agri-Environmental Policy Research.

The USDA Center will facilitate new and innovative

credit: Inner Stream

research on the application of behavioral and experimental economics theory and practice to the provision of ecosystem services from the NationÂ’s agricultural lands.

The USDA center will be expected to (1) establish an innovative behavioral and experimental economics research program related to the design and implementation of policies and programs that provide ecosystem services; (2) broaden the network of social scientists participating in policy-relevant behavioral and experimental economics research on agricultural ecosystem services, policies, and programs; and (3) disseminate information obtained via its research program to USDA and other Federal program agencies, along with other researchers and the general public.

We anticipate that up to $750,000 will be available in fiscal year 2014 (ending September 30) to support this activity over the next 3 years.

Additional funds may be awarded in subsequent years, subject to availability of funds and the performance of the USDA Center.

The deadline for submission of applications is 11:59 p.m., July 7, 201 4.