last updated 2/12/2024
BQMS Application Process & Guidelines (PDF)
ANNUAL SUBMISSION CYCLES:
Completed forms must be emailed to BQMS@unl.edu (Do NOT route thru NUgrant).
Spring Planting: March 15
Fall Planting: September 15
If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, applications are due on the first workday following.
BQMS Service Center Rates (Effective 07/01/23-06/30/24. Rate could be subject to change effective 07/01/24)
Full Service Field Trials are conducted at Mead (ENREEC) and Sydney (PREEC) Field Facility locations. The current faculty rate per acre is $7,504.
Biotechnology Quality Management System
The Biotechnology Quality Management System (BQMS) is a voluntary USDA APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) program that helps organizations engaged in biotechnology research and development efforts to analyze the critical control points within their management systems to better maintain compliance with the APHIS regulations for the introduction of regulated genetically engineered (GE) organisms.
USDA APHIS Permit or Notification
APHIS regulates the importation, interstate movement, or environmental release of certain GE organisms. All regulated introductions of GE organisms must be authorized by APHIS under either its permitting or notification procedures. Therefore, prior to initiating a request to conduct a regulated field release research project, the principal investigator must apply and obtain a USDA permit or notification authorizing the project and establishing guidelines on how it should be conducted. For detailed information about USDA APHIS BRS regulations and how to apply to obtain a permit or a notification, please visit the following link: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology.
Faculty Biotechnology Release Committee
The Faculty Biotechnology Release Committee (FBRC) is responsible for ensuring that all research conducted on University of Nebraska owned or leased ground and/or field release research supervised by IANR employees involving regulated material is appropriately documented in accordance with USDA APHIS BRS requirements and adhere to the Biotechnology Quality Management System (BQMS) standards. It is mandatory that all regulated material field studies, regardless of the permit or notification holder, have their trial protocol reviewed and approved by the FBRC.
The Committee consists of five (5) faculty members appointed by the ARD Dean and five (5) Ex Officio Members. The committee assists the Quality Management Representative (QMR) in implementing, updating and improving the BQMS. The Committee reviews all protocols, and provides a recommendation to the ARD Dean to approve or deny the conduct of field release projects by the University of Nebraska. The Committee is led by a Chair, elected among faculty members. Committee By-Laws
The current members of the Biotechnology Release Committee are:
| ||
| Faculty | Specialty Crop Breeder |
| Faculty | Molecular Biologist |
| Faculty | Entomologist |
| Chair, Faculty | Weed Scientist |
| Ex Officio | ARD Assistant Dean and QMR |
| Ex Officio | ARD Finance Manager |
| Ex Officio | ARD Data Management Specialist |
| Ex Officio | Biotechnology Facility Field Manager |
| Ex Officio | Transformation Core Facility Manager |
The Biotechnology Field Manager conducts regular inspections of all UNL Field Facilities and other UNL owned or leased lands used for regulated field trials to monitor compliance with USDA APHIS and BQMS policies. Prepares plot maps for all trials approved for conduct at field facilities; seeks input and approval from the QMR and FBRC prior to planting.
Submission Instructions for all Review Requests
All documents must be completed in full. Failure to follow these instructions will result in delays of the review process. Once completed, applicants must submit the entire application package electronically to the BQMS Quality Management Representative (QMR) at the following email: bqms@unl.edu.
There will be two submission cycles in 2024, spring and fall, with deadlines around close of business (5:00 PM) on March 15 and September 15, respectively. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, applications are due on the first workday following. Applicants will be informed of the committee's recommendations within 30 days after the submission date. As a general rule, applicants submitting proposals for the fall will be informed of the committee's recommendations by early October, while those applying in spring will receive their recommendations by early April of each year.
Late applications are accepted only in extenuating circumstances. If an application is submitted late, a cover letter explaining the reasons for the delay must be included with the application package. Late applications are evaluated on an individual basis considering the reasons provided. However, an expedited FBTC review and final ARD approval prior to desired planting dates is not guaranteed.
Once the application package is received and reviewed by the QMR it is submitted for the consideration of the FBRC, which reviews applications for compliance with all APHIS and UNL BQMS Standards. The Committee notifies the QMR the proposed project compliance status and in turn the QMR Notifies the ARD Dean or Associate Dean for final project approval or denial. A flowchart detailing the BQMS field release approval process can be obtained here.
Application package forms must be downloaded from the BQMS program at the time of submission to ensure that the most updated versions are used. Forms link.
The application package must include the following documents:
- USDA APHIS BRS Notification or Permit
- USDA APHIS BRS Acknowledgement Letter
- Form 7.1.1a Signature Approval
- Form 7.1.1b Regulated Land Request
If the proposed project will be conducted in a site not owned by UNL the application should also include:
- Form 7.1.1c Non UNL Site Agreement
- A Conflict of Interest Statement
- Regional Topography and Historical Land Use (Must be supplied by applicant)
The following records will be made available for the applicant to review:
- 7.1.1d Site Selection Planning List of Threatened and Endangered Species
- 7.1.1e Site Selection Planning Maps of Critical Habitat of Threatened and Endangered Species
- 7.1.1f Site Selection Planning List of Threatened and Endangered Species United States Department of Interior
- 7.1.1g_ARDC Cropping History
- 7.1.1g_HPAL Cropping History
- 7.1.1h_ARDC Topographical Map
- 7.1.1h_HPAL Topographical Map
Faculty who receive the committee's approval for research projects are responsible for conducting the research as approved, without changes pertaining to the research protocol and are responsible to abide to the BQMS standards while conducting research.
If you need additional information or have questions regarding the Biotechnology Quality Management System application, please contact Dr. Héctor L. Santiago, ARD Assistant Dean and QMR or Jen McMahon, BQMS Data Management Specialist, at (402) 472-7082 or by email at bqms@unl.edu.