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</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Awards" style='position:absolute;margin-left:-3.65pt;margin-top:0;width:88.4pt;height:81.35pt;z-index:251659264;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:margin;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:margin;mso-height-relative:margin'>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=118 height=109 style='width:1.2291in;height:1.1319in' src="cid:image003.png@01DBCB13.C003C010" align=left hspace=12 alt=Awards v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1"><![endif]><a name="_Hlk198803898"></a><a name="_Hlk198547159"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Dear Colleagues,</span></b></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547159'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547159'></span><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><a name="_Hlk198547143"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The USWBSI Executive Committee is pleased to announce the first <b>Call for Nominations</b> for the inaugural </span></a></span><a href="https://scabusa.org/excellence_awards"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#467886'>USWBSI Excellence Awards</span></b></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>, celebrating outstanding contributions toward reducing the impact of Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) on wheat and barley. These awards recognize both emerging talent and established leaders whose innovative research, collaboration, and advocacy have advanced the mission of the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative. Please consider your colleagues for a nomination and help us recognize those making an impact in reducing the threat of Fusarium Head Blight!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#4EA72E'>Award Categories<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Outstanding New Investigator Award</span></b></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> – Recognizes researchers with up to 7 years as a USWBSI funded PI whose innovative work shows high potential for impact.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Collaborative Achievement Award</span></b></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> – Honors multi-institutional or multi-disciplinary teams whose collaboration has led to meaningful progress in addressing FHB.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Innovative Impact Award</span></b></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> – Celebrates individuals or groups whose outreach or advocacy has greatly enhanced FHB awareness and response.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Lifetime Achievement Award</span></b></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> – Reserved for those with 20+ years of impactful FHB experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>We invite nominations from across the research and stakeholder community, including academia, industry, and governmental/non-governmental organizations. Self-nominations are welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Full award descriptions, eligibility criteria, and nomination form access are available on the </span></span></span><a href="https://scabusa.org/excellence_awards"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#467886'>USWBSI Excellence Awards webpage</span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#4EA72E'>Nomination Deadline<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>August 27, 2025</span></b></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#4EA72E'>Submission Requirements<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:#467886;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext'>Complete a nomination submission via the online </span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'></span></span><a href="https://umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b9DSo74PBijMXCS"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#467886'>USWBSI Excellence Awards Nomination Form</span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Nomination package must include:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>One-page cover letter on the significance of the nomination as it aligns with the criteria for the award<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>500-word biosketch summary of the nominee’s achievements and contributions<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level2 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>o<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Comprehensive CV including relevant publications or impact metrics<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Awardees will be honored during the 2025 National FHB Forum in Denver, CO. Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding New Investigator awardees will also have an opportunity to present their work during the 2025 NFHB Forum program. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>For questions, please contact the USWBSI NFO at nfo@scabusa.org<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198547143'></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk198803898'></span><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><b><span style='color:#0E2841'>______</span></b><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:#0E2841;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><b><span style='color:#0E2841'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><a name="m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663"><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#0E2841'>U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI)<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='mso-bookmark:m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Networking & Facilitation Office (NFO)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='mso-bookmark:m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>495 Borlaug Hall | 1991 Upper Buford Circle | St. Paul, MN 55108</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='mso-bookmark:m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><br></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:m_2463604685091156584__Hlk74295663'></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#222222'><a href="mailto:nfo@scabusa.org" target="_blank"><span style='color:#1155CC'>nfo@scabusa.org</span></a> | 517.290.5023 | <a href="http://https/scabusa.org" target="_blank"><span style='color:#1155CC'>https://scabusa.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Twitter </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#156082'><a href="https://twitter.com/USWBSI"><span style='color:#156082'>@USWBSI</span></a></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> | Linkedin </span><u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#156082'><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/company/uswbsi"><span style='color:#156082'>#uswbsi</span></a></span></u><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#156082'> </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>