Agency Insights is a is a peer-driven discussion series designed to connect faculty/grantseekers, research administrators and research support professionals across Mississippi State University. Through open dialogue and knowledge sharing, participants can exchange information, experience and best practices, discuss emerging challenges, explore funding agency trends, and share practical solutions related to proposal development, award management and research administration.

The series leverages MSU's collective expertise in research development and administration across the proposal and award lifecycle to strengthen networks and support success. Each event will have two, one-hour focus sessions: administration and development.

This series is appropriate for faculty investigators, professional staff grantseekers (research associates and other), department and college leaders, research center directors, research administrators, pre-award and post-award personnel, departmental grant support staff, Extension and outreach professionals, research development professionals and other individuals involved in sponsored programs and research administration

The Agency Insights USDA Roundtable, specifically, will be a facilitated, open forum for discussion on USDA issues. Given the evolving funding landscape and limited information currently available from some federal agencies including USDA, the USDA Roundtable seeks to capitalize on one of MSU's greatest resources: the knowledge and experience of its faculty and research support professionals.

Potential administrative topics for discussion from 2-3 p.m. include regulatory guidance and info, proposal preparation and submission, budget development, internal review processes, award administration considerations and sponsor communications and guidance.

Potential development topics for discussion from 3-4 p.m. include programmatic themes, trends and strategic positioning; strengthening proposal competitiveness; sponsor engagement processes; and emerging opportunities and priorities