Blue Ribbon Commision on R&D

The Blue-Ribbon Commission on Forest and Forest Products Research and Development was formed to study the need for new approaches to research and development in the forest sector. 

The report, released in October 2017, finds that forest sector R&D in America is largely unfocused and underfunded. To address these shortcomings, the BRC recommends changes and enhancements to stimulate innovation including:

• Development of a “national” R&D plan across USDA Forest Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, National Science Foundation, and the Department of Energy along with forest sector input that avoids wasteful duplication and sets a clear direction for the future; and, 
• the institution of a new model where federal scientists serve more as team leaders engaging the private sector, university, and federal researchers to increase speed, flexibility, and delivery of needed solutions.