To achieve the Research and Business Development Action Team vision, the team must engage in a variety of research and development projects. These projects vary in scope of work and timeline, providing a balanced portfolio of programs. This portfolio addresses the need for new technology to develop competitive biobased products. It also addresses the need to grow and maintain the value of corn by developing valuable maize traits, working with the livestock industry—our #1 customer; and providing opportunities for our growers to profit through business ventures.

The objective for the New Resources program will be achieved through several steps, as listed below:

• Develop relationships with potential research collaborators by meeting with the leaders in particular industries and research teams to expand the scope of the NCGA research portfolio.
• NCGA will investigate opportunities to add one quality project to the RBDAT portfolio each year and screen those new projects through the management process.

There are many steps to the project management process such as conducting initial technical feasibility studies, market analysis and economic evaluations.

• NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team manages its portfolio through all aspects of project development from inspiration to commercialization.
• NCGA also reviews the market drivers, economic competitiveness and intellectual property status of the project.
• All of this information is needed to demonstrate that a technology is commercially viable.

Proactive recruitment of new programs and projects ensures a full pipeline for research and development.