For science policy wonks in the United States, it doesn’t get much better than a meeting of PCAST, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology . That group of scientific luminaries is having its fourth meeting today in Washington, which is being webcast. PCAST is led by John Holdren, president Obama’s science advisor, and by co-chairs Eric Lander and Harold Varmus.

Today’s meeting features international food security and the future of the National Nanotechnology Initiative, among other topics. During the meeting, Roger Beachy, head of the new National Institute of Food and Agriculture, said that “in a week or so” the institute will release its long-awaited call for proposals for funds from its competitive grants program. He noted that the program will emphasize systems approaches to agricultural research, as well as large collaborative projects.

At the end of the day, PCAST members are scheduled to meet with Obama. In his introductory remarks, Holdren said that he sees the president regularly and Obama “always is excited, interested and well informed” on issues of science and technology. “President Obama remains very much engaged with this set of issues.”