I'm new to figs and have heard about the cuttings from UC Davis.  I went to their site and filled out the application, but at the end of the application it wants a message of how I put these to use in a research program.  Not quite sure what to say.  Can anyone make suggestions.

Hi Susan, nice to have you in this awesome group!

Last winter was the first time I ordered from Davis.
My intent is to document the cold hardiness of the varieties I got, and to experiment with a technique of winter protection.
I will document everything I do, maybe enjoy some figs.
If they ever request information or cuttings, I will happily oblige, and in the meantime I will safeguard these plants as best I can.
It's pretty much understood that each person acquiring cuttings or scion is agreeing to help fund research, protect the material they get, and as long as one is ethical in what they
do with what they receive, the USDA will share what they can, and good karma will persist :)

Just remember that there is a Fall deadline for placing the order, which (if all goes well) you'll receive the following Spring.
Open a FedEx or UPS account and note the account number on your request.
Specify that you want ground delivery if your fig budget is small. My order for 10 varieties cost almost $50 because it flew over. I'm ok with it, less risk of damaged cuttings.
You should expect to get nice large cuttings, but you may not get all you ordered, due to availability.


Research all the available varieties, and keep an open mind about the obscure ones. You may find a gem.
So good luck, and welcome.

I just said and do intend to see what grafting does for old tolerance of different varieties. Also recording which rooting methods worked better with different varieties. The great thing about the cuttings you get is they are long enough to make two to three out of each one, and if possible they give you three to four of the less rare figs. Some that are more rare you either wont get or you will just get one or two. 
Good luck!! The deadline is Nov.1 but it does seem to be first come first serve. I did two requests and got most of what I asked for. My requests went in at the end of Oct and the beginning of Nov and I just got mine last week

Can someone provide a link to the application?  I can't seem to locate it. 

Thanks!

Dr. Phil, here it is: http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/orders.html

I filled mine out a couple of months ago, but I didn't include the shipping account number, and actually didn't even set one up yet. After I set one up. do you think I should send an email with my account information or do I have to place a new order because the other one will be voided?

@Ogorodnitsa 

You can try to send your shipping account info, but you probably won't hear back from them as they have many requests and get busy.  However, they will fill orders without charging you shipping (or did last year; someone else may know otherwise), so you don't need to cancel your order.  Don't let anyone guilt you for not paying shipping, you didn't know and the order form wasn't clear about entering account info the last time I saw it.  Just remember to set up your account first for the next time.

Ok, thanks Tim!