The competition for subsidies for the implementation of certain activities of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Genetic Technologies for 2019-2030 has been completed.

As part of the competition, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation concluded Agreement No. 075-15-2025-472 dated May 25, 2025 with FSBSI ARRIAM on the provision of a grant from the federal budget for the implementation of a project on the topic "Expansion of the fund and development of genomic research in the collection of microorganisms Network Bioresource Collection in the field of genetic technologies for agriculture (VKSM)".

The aim of the project is to support the microbiologization of modern dynamically developing agricultural production using the unique bioresource fund of the VKSM collection, its expansion, as well as the improvement of genetic technologies.

Main tasks:

• Identification of sequences important for the antiphage protection of rhizobia and assessment of the possibility of their use for the construction of strains with a given phage resistance using genomic editing technologies.

• Disclosure of the mechanisms of adaptation of rhizobia to regional conditions through studies of symbionts of narrowly endemic legume species in order to increase the adaptability of inoculants to the habitat.

• Development of biological products to increase crop productivity, taking into account environmentally oriented agricultural technologies.

• Creation of test systems for breeding strains with growth-stimulating and phytoprotective activity based on genetic technologies.

• Replenishment of the unique database of mass spectra of agricultural microorganisms for express identification purposes.

• Development and validation of genomic passports of commercial strains based on their unique DNA fragments to ensure monitoring of inoculants in open systems.

Completion dates: 2025-2027.

The amount of the subsidy is 120 million rubles, including 18 million rubles from extra–budgetary sources as part of the co-financing of the research program.