Funding Opportunities for the Western IPM Center

WIPMC Announces Request for Applications: Deadline November 7, 2003

Western Region Integrated Pest Management Center
Request for Applications - 2003
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SUMMARY

Eight (8) hard copies and one electronic version of each proposal must be received by the Western Region Integrated Pest Management Center by 5:00 p.m. Friday, November 7, 2003.

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

Proposals for Work Groups may request up to two years funding (with the second year based on availability of funds). Funding for individual projects is expected to be in the range of $5,000 to $10,000.

Proposals for Information Networks may request funding for one year. The one year will allow transitioning from the programs initiated under the Western Region Integrated Pest Management Center to the programs and objectives of the Western Region Integrated Pest Management Center that was established in September 2003. More regionally oriented Information Networks will evolve in subsequent years.

II. PRIORITIES

Competitive proposals are solicited from self-establishing multi-state work groups to address information, resource, and research needs in region-wide or broad area categories including: minor crops, major crops, non-crop areas, IPM metrics and/or impact assessments, urban IPM, cropping systems, geographical, school IPM and other issues. These work groups must enhance communication and collaborations within the region for the IPM topic area addressed by the work group. A work group could also coordinate efforts to develop proposals for funding or policies necessary to address critical issues within the West. Work groups will be funded on an annual basis and limited to no more than two years of funding.

At this time, applications are encouraged in the following specific areas (however, applications are not limited to these areas):

• Development of a process of priority identification and identify western region research and extension priorities that include stakeholder input and are inclusive of pest management relevant to the work group’s area. These priorities must clearly justify needs in agricultural, natural and urban settings.
• Develop proposals to address priorities identified by the work group.
• Identify IPM resource needs and information needs.
• Recommend information-gathering, research and extension priorities within the category or subject area of the proposal.
• Coordination of a Regional Pest Management Symposium to occur by December 31, 2004. Please contact the WRIPM Center office for additional details.

B. Information Networks

Competitive proposals are solicited to fund up to eight (8) information networks. Funding (up to $25,000 annually per network) is available to address the following:

• Serve as the primary information source for USDA regarding use and usage of pesticides and other IPM tactics in all IPM settings of the state or states covered by the network.
• Development of a regional information network that can respond to information requests from USDA, EPA and others within a short time frame (1 day-2 weeks). Typical requests from USDA and EPA relate to pesticide use and usage and alternatives to FQPA impacted chemicals. This information is used by USDA and EPA in to making make informed regulatory decisions.
• Utilize meetings of diverse groups of stakeholders interested in IPM to identify critical issues.
• Maintain a web site for the network. Standards for web sites will be developed by the Center and will include, at minimum, project contact information; links to the WRIPM Center and other appropriate entities; and a statement of sponsorship by the WRIPM Center.
• Aid in identification of appropriate individuals to address IPM tactics use surveys, crop profiles and Pest Management Strategic Plans (PMSPs).

Networks will be encouraged to participate in the development of IPM tactic use surveys, crop profiles, and PMSPs. Participants (and non-participants) in the networks will be eligible for other funds on a competitive basis from the WRIPM Center, as will applicants outside of the networks.

III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Relevance to the Center RFA’s priorities and regional IPM issues.
2. Feasibility of completing the project objectives within the proposed time frame.
3. Appropriateness and clarity of the requested budget.
4. Backgrounds and qualifications of work group and network leadership in relation to the proposed objectives.

IV. MATCHING FUNDS

V. APPLICATION FORMAT

TITLE. Should be brief, clear, and specific. The title must be limited to 100 spaces (letters, punctuation, and spaces between words).

ABSTRACT. Must be a clear summary of the project, its objectives, and procedures for accomplishing the objectives. Include a brief statement of how the proposed project meets the RFA’’s priorities. This should appear on the first page and not exceed 1,000 characters or spaces in length.

OBJECTIVES. A concise, complete, clear, logically arranged, and numbered series of statements defining the specific objectives of the project.

PROCEDURES. There should be a numbered procedure statement to correspond with each numbered objective. These statements should outline the essential working plans and methods that will be employed in attaining each objective. Phases of the work to be undertaken concurrently should be designated. The procedure statement should show that the project needs and plans have been considered carefully and the proposed work has the potential of providing data and information that will permit accomplishing the objectives. Subcontractors must incorporate measurable goals and outcomes into their projects. This information will provide a basis for the Steering Committee’s annual evaluation of the individual subcontracts.

CURRICULUM VITAE. A Submit a curriculum vitae for the Principal Investigator Investigator and any co-P.I.s of no more than 3 pages including any relevant publications during the last 5 years.

PREVIOUS WORK AND PRESENT OUTLOOK. Provide a brief summary discussing pertinent experience with information networking, crop/commodity profiles and pest management strategic plans, the status of current work, additional information needed, and how this project is expected to contribute to this need. The nature of the project and its objectives will determine the ease of predicting success, but where feasible it is appropriate to indicate the likelihood of achieving the objectives in a specified length of time.

OUTCOMES. Identify the expected result of the project and how it relates to the goals of the WRIPM Center as stated in this RFA.

LITERATURE CITED. Only those publications cited should be listed in this section; 15 literature citations should be the maximum for most projects. To provide uniformity, the following format should be used: Author(s). Title. Journal. Volume: Pages. Year.

PROBABLE DURATION. An estimate of the time that will be required to complete the objectives must be a component of all proposals. Subcontracts for work groups may run for one or two years. Subcontracts for information networks may run for one year.

LENGTH OF PROPOSAL. Proposals should not exceed five (5) pages in length, excluding budgets and other attachments. Proposals must be typed in a 12 point (10 cpi) or larger font using 8 _ by 11 inch paper, single-sided and single-spaced with one inch vertical and horizontal margins. Pages must be numbered beginning with the proposal narrative.

BUDGET. Form CSREES-2004 must be used for submitting the proposed budget. This form, and others may be downloaded with the "Standard Application Kit" at: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/1700/funding/ourfund.htm. A brief budget justification statement (i.e., Budget Narrative) is required and must provide details for each line item in the budget. Indirect costs of up to 19% of the total cost of the project can be supported by these funds. Additional details on budget issues are available, upon request, at the Western Region Integrated Pest Management Center office. http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ipmnet/centers/budgets.html

ATTACHMENTS. Form CSREES-2002 (Proposal Cover Page) must be attached as a cover sheet. A completed form CSREES-2005 (Current and Pending Support) must also be included for each principal investigator and co-principal investigator. Both forms are available at: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/1700/funding/ourfund.htm.

A brief résumé (three pages maximum) of each principal investigator and other key project personnel should be attached. Additional items such as reprints, reports, etc. may be attached.

SIGNATURES. Each proposal must be signed by the appropriate university/corporate officer.

PROGRESS REPORT. A progress report to the Director will be due by August 30, 2004 for multi-year projects.

FINAL REPORT. A final report must be submitted to the Director by January 1, 2005. This report should provide the status of all the objectives in the funded project.

SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS. Eight (8) hard copies (including the original with all required signatures) and one electronic version (Word or WordPerfect for Windows) on CD or diskette of each proposal must be received by the Western Region Integrated Pest Management Center by 5:00 p.m. Friday, November 7, 2003. Facsimile copies are not acceptable. Send proposals to:

Mr. Rick Melnicoe
Western Region Integrated Pest Management Center
Department of Environmental Toxicology
4249 Meyer Hall (Needed Only For FedEx)
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, California 95616-8588
530-754-8378

The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, medical condition (cancer-related), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means or communications of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the Western Region Integrated Pest Management Center Director. Inquiries regarding the University’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Affirmative Action Director, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 1111 Franklin St., 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94607. (510) 987-0096.