. Research & Education Grants
These
grants – also known as Chapter 1 for their designation in the enabling
legislation – involve a team of scientists, producers, outreach
specialists and others using interdisciplinary approaches to address
issues related to sustaining agriculture. There is a new format and focus
for these grants this year so be sure to carefully read the Call for
pre-Proposals. The 2013 Call for pre-Proposals will be issued in April
2012, with pre-proposals due in June 2012. Following scrutiny by a
technical review panel of scientists, agency personnel, producers and
others, presenters of the best pre-proposals will be asked to submit
full proposals, due in November 2012. Full proposals will undergo
technical review in January 2013, and the Western SARE Administrative
Council will select proposals for funding in March 2013.
2. Professional Development Program Grants
These
grants focus on training agricultural professionals to help them spread
knowledge about sustainable agriculture concepts and practices. PDP
Grants are limited to $75,000. Grants can run for up to three years,
with the final year to be focused on project evaluation. The 2013 Call
for Proposals will open in April 2012, with proposals due October 2012.
Proposals will be reviewed by a technical panel in January 2013, and the
Western SARE Administrative Council will select proposals for funding
in March 2013.
3. Farmer/Rancher Grants
These
one- to three-year grants are conducted by agricultural producers with
support and guidance from a technical advisor. Individual farmers or
ranchers may apply for up to $15,000, and a group of three or more
producers may apply for up to $25,000. Producers typically use their
grants to conduct on-site experiments that can improve their operations
and the environment and can be shared with other producers. Grant
recipients may also focus on marketing and organic production. The 2013
Call for Proposals will open in April 2012, with proposals due in
December 2012. A technical review will be held in January 2013, and
proposals will be selected for funding in March 2013.
4. Professional + Producer Grants
These
one- to three-year grants are similar in concept to the Farmer/Rancher
Grants with a few key differences. Instead of a producer serving as the
project coordinator, an agricultural professional – Cooperative
Extension educator or Natural Resources Conservation Service
professional, for example – coordinates the project. A farmer or rancher
serves as the project advisor. Applicants can seek up to $50,000 and
must have at least five producers involved. The Call for Proposals for
Professional + Producer Grants will open in April 2012, with proposals
due in December 2012. A technical review will be held in January 2013,
and proposals will be selected for funding in March 2013.
5. Graduate Student Grants in Sustainable Agriculture
The
Graduate Student Grants provide a maximum of $25,000 and may last for
up to two years. These funds are eligible for masters or Ph.D. students
enrolled full time (as determined by the institution’s requirements) at
accredited colleges or universities in the Western region. The graduate
student is eligible for only one grant during his or her graduate
program. The PI for these grants is the Major Professor, not the
graduate student; however the graduate student is welcome to be the one
who applies on-line. Proposals are due in May 2012, after which they are
reviewed by a technical review panel in July 2012. The Western SARE
Administrative Council selects proposals for funding in August 2012, and
award notifications are made that September. The amount of targeted
funds for these grants has doubled this year due to the rise in
qualified proposals submitted over the years that Western SARE was not
able to fund due to budget restraints.
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