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Synopsis Basic science research, also called “curiosity-driven research,” is fundamental work done with no immediate economic goals but rather a focus on discovery for discovery’s sake. However, basic science research is often needed to seed more applied, economically oriented, research. Both basic and applied research efforts are important aspects of the “bioeconomy,” defined here as the contributions to the overall economy from various biology-related fields spanning everything from museum-based natural history research to agricultural food and material production to healthcare. Here, we propose that more collaborative efforts across federal granting agencies in a venture-capitalist-like “PO-driven model” can help drive applied innovation from collaborations facilitated by program officers (POs). POs from NSF, DOE, DARPA, USDA, NASA, and other federal agencies should seek out parallel and complementary research ideas from grantees and provide funds to build teams of researchers who may otherwise be unaware of one another. Researchers working in different fields may also be unaware that the different organisms they are studying independently may have evolved similar traits (i.e., convergent evolution) that POs may recognize and who can then facilitate novel research avenues connecting those independent researchers (we provide examples of some projects inspired by convergent evolution here). In this top-down approach to research funding, the US bioeconomy will be pouring fuel on the fire of scientific productivity in this country. 

Prairie ecosystems, once expansive across North America, have faced significant degradation and fragmentation due to expanding agricultural development (World Wildlife Fund, 2023). Efforts to survey and restore prairies offer a unique opportunity for applied learning in environmental education. This paper explores the potential of prairie survey and restoration projects to enhance students' applied learning experiences and develop practical skills in ecological research, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land management. Drawing upon interdisciplinary perspectives from ecology, education, and community engagement, and utilizing flora survey of the John Rushin Teaching and Research Prairie at Missouri Western State University as a model for applied learning, this paper examines the educational benefits of prairie survey and restoration and provides recommendations for integrating these activities into formal and informal educational settings. By engaging students in hands-on activities, we aim to enhance understanding, foster environmental stewardship, and contribute to effective prairie restoration.