11-2-208. Agricultural research funding program.
(a) The director shall, through rule and regulation, establish a process to solicit applications from the agricultural industry in the state for applied agricultural research projects.
(b) The director, with approval from the board, may solicit applications for applied research under this section and shall contract with any appropriate educational institution or other qualified entity to conduct the research as provided in the application.
(c) In soliciting and reviewing applications under this section, the director and the board shall:
(i) Consult with producers and nonprofit organizations representing Wyoming agricultural producers;
(ii) Consider the potential impacts of the research in strengthening Wyoming's agricultural industry and agricultural production;
(iii) Consider the time for anticipated completion of the research;
(iv) Consider the educational institution or other qualified entity which will conduct the research, giving preference to educational institutions located within the state;
(v) Ensure that the research results will be widely disseminated to the appropriate sectors of Wyoming agriculture;
(vi) Establish requirements for matching contributions from the educational institution or entity involved in the research and give preference to those projects which include additional private and institutional funding in support of the projects.