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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><img width=149 height=43 style='width:1.5555in;height:.4513in' id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.jpg@01DC3444.C286D8F0" alt="A close-up of a logo
AI-generated content may be incorrect."></span><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'>Dear FHB Community,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>There are continued delays in approving the release of the USWBSI FY26 RFP. The USWBSI NFO has been reaching out to USDA-ARS for updates, but have been informed the RFP is still under review. We must have USDA approval before moving forward.<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'>With the added complication of the recent government shutdown, we now anticipate additional delays in the approval process. We are in contact with our advocacy partners at AMBA and NAMA, who have also reached out to key USDA contacts on the timing of a response. They will continue to do so once the federal government resumes operations. <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'>As mentioned earlier, when approval is granted, notices will be sent out promptly with the new deadline for submission. PIs will have at least 30 days from the release date of the RFP to prepare and submit their pre-proposals.<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'>We recognize the importance of this process to your research planning and appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these challenging times.<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'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='margin-left:-4.5pt;border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=270 valign=top style='width:202.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Ruth Dill-Macky <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Researcher Co-Chair<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="mailto:ruthdm@umn.edu"><span style='color:#467886'>ruthdm@umn.edu</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td width=353 valign=top style='width:265.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Richard Magnusson <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Grower Co-Chair<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="mailto:rmags@wiktel.com"><span style='color:#467886'>rmags@wiktel.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><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 | </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#414141'><a href="https://scabusa.org/" target="_blank"><span style='color:#1155CC'>https://scabusa.org</span></a></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:#222222'><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></div></body></html>