AAES Grant Program for Agriculture and Related Research
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GUIDELINES FOR PREPROPOSALS
DUE at or before
4 p.m., Monday, 21 May 2007.
pdf or Word Document to K. Terry (mailto:terrykl@auburn.edu)
GUIDELINES For Full Proposals:
Deadline
for full-length proposals will be provided when PI’s are informed of
pre-proposal status.
At least 3 weeks will be allowed development of full-length proposals.
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AAES Grant Program for Agriculture and Related Research
GUIDELINES FOR PREPROPOSALS
DUE at or before
4 p.m., Monday, 21 May 2007.
pdf or Word Document to K. Terry (terrykl@auburn.edu).
Preproposals will be used as the basis for soliciting full proposals; PI’s submitting preproposals should therefore be aware of eligibility requirements, funding priorities, and other information presented in the guidelines for developing full-length proposals. Full-length proposals will not be accepted from individuals who have not been invited to do so. Preproposals for individual and for multi-investigator/interdisciplinary projects are acceptable; cross-disciplinary projects are encouraged.
Maximum duration of any project is three years.
Approximately $300K is available for competitive distribution to fund this program in FY08.
The required format for the preproposal is:
1. Margin: 1 inch - top, bottom, left, right;
2. Minimum font size - 11 points;
3. Double spaced, single sided 8.5 x 11 inch pages;
4. Limited to a maximum of two (2) pages.
The preproposal text should contain the following items:
1. Title;
2. Investigators with Department and College/School;
3. Project Summary, including goals, objectives, and brief description of approach/methods;
4. Anticipated results/outcome including brief descriptions of:
a. How the project will enhance research capabilities, including additional extramural funding opportunities for PI’s, and
b. How the project fits with program priorities in meeting research needs
in
5. Expertise of Team Members relative to the proposed project, including the responsibilities of each and the strength of the team as composed.
6. Total estimated costs: estimate can include graduate student stipends, partial technical or post-doctorate support (including 26% benefits), payment for human subjects, materials and supplies, travel, publication, and/or small equipment (up to $2500 for duration of project). Requests can be made for no more than one month summer salary or release time support for one PI on project per year. Note: awarded funds must be expended by end of fiscal year, 30 September.
Funding for the second or third program year will be contingent upon demonstration of satisfactory attempts to obtain extramural competitive funding and progress through publication made in any preceding funded year. Should a project be funded in the second or third program year, it will be funded at the amount requested in the accepted proposal, although subject to budgetary constraints beyond AAES control.
The preproposal must be saved as a single file using either Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Word and e-mailed to: terrykl@auburn.edu. The deadline for submission of e-preproposals is 4 p.m. 21 May 2007.
Questions regarding the AAES Grant program should be directed through Kelly Terry (terrykl@auburn.edu).
PREPROPOSALS THAT DO NOT FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES/FORMAT WILL BE
RETURNED UNREVIEWED
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GRANT PROGRAM FOR AGRICULTURE AND RELATED RESEARCH
DUE DATE: Monday, 9 July
2007, before 4 p.m.
The purpose of this program is to strengthen
agriculturally-related research at
Funding Categories. Requests can be made for
any of the following categories: a) No more than one month of summer salary or
release time for one PI per year; partial technical or professional personnel
time, including 26% benefits rate; b) Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) stipends;
c) payment for human subjects or other needs to complete a project; d)
allotments for operating funds (materials and supplies); e) travel to research
or other off-campus sites; f) publication costs; and g) small equipment (under
$2,500) if justified for the project. Monies cannot be sent to
cooperators outside of
Investigator Eligibility. Investigator(s) on the proposal must have demonstrable knowledge of a research area, an appropriate record of publication of research results, and receipt of extramural funds. Consideration will be given to years of experience that researchers may have. Investigators who have been previously funded through this program since 2004 cannot serve as lead investigator on any new projects.
Funding level for FY2008. The funding level for 2008 (to be distributed no earlier than 1 Oct. 2007) is approximately $350,000. In future years, funding for this AAES Grant program is dependent on continuation of the appropriation and potential increases (or decreases) for agriculture and agriculturally related programs. All projects will be reviewed annually for accomplishments as defined by leverage of funds, impact, and publication. Projects may not be funded for the full three years if satisfactory attempts to obtain extramural, competitive grant support and progress through publication are not appropriately documented.
Research Priorities for this Request for Proposals (RFP).
Under the Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Reform Act of 1998, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) set five priority goals for meeting the needs of agriculture over the next five years. Multi-disciplinary projects will receive high priority in the review process as will projects that measurably advance the sustainability of human and natural systems (see Sustainable Agriculture: Definitions and Terms http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/AFSIC_pubs/srb9902.htm#toc2 ).
The research priorities for the request for proposals (RFP)
will be considered that address any of the following priority areas when
applied to
1. Advancing environmental, economic, and social sustainability through identification of technologies, farming approaches, or organizational strategies that ensure the viability of agricultural and forestry production systems for future generations. Specific areas of research include but are not limited to: value-added food; improved cropping systems; improved poultry and animals systems; alternative specialty crops; fisheries and aquaculture; forest products and sustainable systems; market analysis and economics; integrated pest management; alternative and innovative products and new production methods; organics, local food systems, and sustainable agriculture. Of particular interest are projects that present innovative synergies of disciplines and perspectives while advancing sustainability objectives.
2. Enhancing food safety through improved quality and processing techniques in Alabama while meeting the USDA goal of a safe, secure and abundant food and fiber system. Specific areas of research include but are not limited to: policy development to ensure a safe food supply; science based production systems including harvesting, production, processing and post harvest-storage; safety procedures to prevent the introduction of food borne pathogens into the food supply; and effects of genetic and biochemical modification of foods.
3. Improving human nutrition and the health of
4. Development or enhancement of sustainable
ecosystems to protect natural resources and maintain biodiversity in
5. Ensuring the socioeconomic and self-empowerment of
families and communities in
I. Format
A. Margin - 1 inch: top, bottom, left, and right.
B. Minimum font size - 11 points.
C. No less than 1.5 spacing (31 lines of text), single sided 8.5 x 11 inch pages.
II. Proposal Content
The proposal should follow general Hatch project guidelines as provided in the AAAES Handbook for Project Leaders@ or briefly outlined at http://www.ag.auburn.edu/adm/faculty-staff/exmurfund/hatchprocess.htm and contain the following:
A. Auburn University Cover
Form for Extramural Programs signed by the appropriate department heads and
deans (http://www.ag.auburn.edu/adm/faculty-staff/exmurfund/GrantApproval.htm
) [Note: include this only in hard copy.]
B. Project Form 1-- including Title, PI=s and Objectives not to exceed one (1) page (http://www.ag.auburn.edu/adm/faculty-staff/exmurfund/projoutl.htm).
C. Project content - not to exceed ten (10) pages and contain the following sections:
1. Summary of CRIS retrieval to demonstrate that proposed research is unique and differs from other active projects in CRIS (can be accessed at http://cris.csrees.usda.gov/menu.html).
2. Justification.
Explain how the proposed research fits the research priorities listed above;
describe expected results in terms of their contribution to science and impact
on solving problems in the state of
3. Literature Review. Summarize relevant past and current literature relating specifically to the project objectives as listed on the Project Form 1. The depth of the review should be sufficient to present the current state of knowledge in the subject area and identify pertinent, unanswered questions. Literature citations should be referenced in this section using journal format.
4. Procedures. Describe appropriate methodology.
5. Expected Results / Outcomes. Present results that are expected and possible outcomes from these results. Describe possible future endeavors and/or collaborations that can result from project.
6. Role of personnel. Describe the role that each investigator has on the project.
7. Schedule. Present timelines of procedures and note dates of importance to project (e.g., presentations at meetings, anticipated deadlines of extramural grant proposals.)
8. Budget Justification. State amount of total request and duration of project. Provide brief explanation of estimated project costs. Requests can be made for graduate student stipends; partial summer (< 1 month for PI), technical or post-doctorate support (including 26% benefits); payment for human subjects, materials and supplies; travel; publication; and/or small equipment (up to $2500 for project duration). Note: Actual budget pages follow project content and are not included in 10 page limit.
9. Impact of this grant (if funded) on existing or planned funding. This section must demonstrate the potential for leveraging funding for additional extramural dollars related to the proposed project. List potential sponsors, estimated additional funding amounts, and projected dates for submission of extramural grant requests.
D. Estimated Costs B provide a budget for each year, and a total using the form that can be found at:
http://www.ag.auburn.edu/adm/faculty-staff/exmurfund/standard%20forms.pdf. On a separate page, briefly explain/justify the budget. Do not include indirect costs. Requests are limited to a maximum of $20,000 for single PI projects or $40,000 for cross-disciplinary (i.e., multiple PI) projects.
1. Salaries, Wages and/or Stipends. No more than one month for one PI for each year.
2. Fringe Benefits. For FY 2008, 26% on estimated salaries.
3. Materials and Supplies.
4. Travel.
5. Equipment. Must be limited to $2500 for duration of project.
6. Publication Costs.
E. Curriculum Vitae. Provide a biosketch for each investigator, limited to one page in length, which includes current (within the last five years) publications and funding receipts that are most relevant to the proposed project.
F. Required Forms. All projects that are conducted with animals, human subjects (including those participating in surveys), hazardous materials (including biological agents and toxins), and recombinant DNA require special approvals. Such approvals must be finalized and documented by completing the form CSREES-2008 Assurance Statement (available on CRIS home page, see below) prior to release of funds on approved projects. Information for each category is listed below.
1. Animals -- an approved Animal Subjects Review Form (ASRF) will be needed on approved project before funds are released. See http://www.auburn.edu/research/vpr/animals .
2.
Recombinant DNA, Radioactive products, Hazardous Materials and Biologicals -
contact the Office of Safety and Environmental Health,
3. Human Subjects - training and IRB approvals needed. For more information, go to www.auburn.edu/research/vpr/ohs/index.htm
G.
USDA’s
Current and Pending Support and Conflict of Interest Forms are also required and are included at: http://www.ag.auburn.edu/adm/faculty-staff/exmurfund/standard%20forms.pdf
H.
A list of up to 3 potential
reviewers or non-preferred reviewers can be provided in e-mail with submission.
No assurance is made that preferred
reviewers will be asked for their participation in the review.
No additional
materials, appendices or supplementary documentation will be accepted.
Submit both hard copy and a single electronic file of materials to K. Terry, 107 Comer Hall, terrykl@auburn.edu. Submissions comprised of multiple electronic files may be rejected or returned to PI without consideration.
Proposals will be accepted only from individuals who have been invited to submit a full-length proposal, based on evaluations of preproposals.
Only preproposals adhering to guidelines will receive consideration. Each preproposal will be evaluated relative to the following:
A) Qualifications of project personnel, including responsibilities and strengths of the multidisciplinary team, as well as the performance record of each team member;
B) Merit of project for enhancing research opportunities including potential for leverage for additional extramural dollars; and
C) Fit
of project to
These criteria will be rated as unacceptable, satisfactory, or good. Preproposals with three criteria rated as >good= will be invited to be developed into full proposals.
Only proposals adhering to guidelines will receive further consideration. Proposals will go to external, anonymous reviewers. Deans and/or Dept. Heads of each School/College in the AAES will be asked for recommendations for external reviewers. Each external reviewer will be required to uphold confidentiality in review of proposals, to have no conflict of interest, and to submit in writing the evaluation of each project. External reviewers will be asked to evaluate each proposal on the following:
A. Scientific merit of the application, consisting of: novelty, uniqueness, and originality; conceptual adequacy of the hypothesis or research question; clarity and delineation of objectives; adequacy of the description of the undertaking and suitability and feasibility of methodology; and probability of success of project.
B. Qualifications of proposed project personnel and adequacy of facilities: training and demonstrated awareness of previous and alternative approaches to the problem identified in the application, and performance record and/or potential for future accomplishments; time allocated for systematic attainment of objectives; institutional experience and competence in subject area; and adequacy of available or obtainable support personnel, facilities, and instrumentation.
C.
Relevance of the project to long‑range improvements in and sustainability
of
D. The merit of the proposed activities as a means of enhancing the research capabilities and competitiveness of the applicant and/or institution.
External reviewers will be asked to comment on the above evaluation criteria for each proposal, and rate each criterion as excellent, good, fair, needs work, or unacceptable. In addition, each proposal received will be evaluated according to the probability of success, i.e., very high, high, medium, low or very low probability of success.
External reviews will be compiled and summarized by an internal evaluation committee comprised of representatives of each College/School in the AAES.
Approved (Funded) projects will be submitted to CSREES as Hatch projects and are subject to all requirements for CRIS submission and documentation. This includes forms required by CRIS, found at http://cwf.uvm.edu/cris/ and these must be completed prior to the release of funds.
Annual progress reports and a termination report are also required by CRIS and the AAES. These reports are usually due before 1 March annually. Notification of the required annual reports will be sent to each PI yearly. All projects will be reviewed annually for merit and accomplishments. Nonproductive projects may not be funded for the full three years if satisfactory progress and attempts to obtain additional grant support are not documented.
Additional Information:
Applications containing proprietary information will be evaluated with due consideration for protection of this information to the extent permitted by law, provided such information is clearly identified by inclusion of the Proprietary Information Disclosure Statement.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND NUMBER OF COPIES:
All projects must be received by 4:00 PM on 9 July 2007. Proposals will be submitted as one hard copy to K. Terry, AAES, 107 Comer Hall, and a single electronic (pdf format or Word document) file to terrykl@auburn.edu. Submissions comprised of multiple electronic files may be rejected or returned to PI without consideration.