Multi-state or Regional Projects (MRPs)
 

Multi-state Research Projects (formerly called ‘Regional Projects) (MRPs) involve cooperative, jointly planned research employing multidisciplinary approaches to solve problems of concerns to multiple states or across a region.

MRPs provide a 'plan of research' for 5-years, and can serve as an AAES project for research appointments in the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES).  Faculty are required to have AAES projects in order to access resources of the experiment station such as outlying units, Research Operations, etc.

When new MRPs are becoming established, or terminating projects are being revised, faculty will be invited to join. E-mails will be sent to faculty informing of new or revisions of projects. These e-mail notices include links to more information on particular projects.

1.  Information on MRPs is available on the NIMSS webpages:  http://www.lgu.umd.edu/lgu_v2/; select from menu.
 

2.  AAES faculty who are interested in participating in a MRP must complete an Appendix E form and submit the completed form to AAES.  This is done through NIMSS (see 1, Above).  Involvement in any MRP must be approved by the Director of AAES.  Prior to granting this approval, faculty must provide the following:

            a.   justification for a scientist's involvement and a description of  how the project efforts relate to Alabama;

            b.   schedule for research; and

            c.   estimated costs (with budget items similar to those in USDA grant applications). 

 

            These three items (a, b and c) must be turned in as hard copy, to AAES, 107 Comer Hall, and they will be kept on file in the event of federal audit.

3.  Upon Director’s approval of faculty involvement in MRP, faculty must complete the AD-416, AD-417, and CSREES-2008 forms for that project.  Much of the content for these CRIS forms can be cut and pasted from other MRP materials found on NIMSS.  Assignment of an AAES project number will be subsequent to  completion of these forms.  Forms can be completed at http://cwf.uvm.edu/cris/ .
 

For more detail relative to initiating a MRP, contact AAES Director, Auburn University, or Eric Young <eric_young@ncsu.edu>, Executive Director, Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors, North Carolina State University.