Request for Applications 2015 Organic Research Initiative Ceres Trust. Introduction

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1 Request for Applications 2015 Organic Research Initiative Ceres Trust Introduction Ceres Trust, a privately administered charitable trust based in the Midwest, has as its main focus the support and promotion of organic and sustainable agriculture. This request for applications is provided for the sixth year of our competitive Organic Research Initiative (ORI) program. Our collective responsibility to provide food for our families and communities is becoming ever more challenging to fulfill. The loss of our beneficial weather patterns, severe degradation and loss of our soils, dwindling and contaminated water resources, widespread loss of pollinators, and the collapse of entire ecosystems all leave us with unique challenges. At the Ceres Trust, we believe the framework and foundation of organic agriculture can show us the path forward. We invite you to join us in building and sharing the knowledge necessary to create truly sustainable and resilient agricultural systems that will help us fulfill our vital responsibility. Program Description Grants of up to $60,000 per year for up to three years will be awarded. We anticipate that up to ten grants will be made to universities, tribal colleges and other nonprofit applicants in the North Central Region. Applicants must be based in the region to be eligible. The 12 states in the region are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Application Deadline Applications must be entered on the Ceres Trust website and mailed or sent by Federal Express or similar delivery service on or before September 25, Grant-making Cycle We anticipate that the application review process will be completed in late October; decisions made in mid-november; applicants notified of decisions in late November; and grant funds dispersed after grant agreements are signed and returned. Multi-year projects are eligible for automatic extension and dispersal of second-year and third-year grant funds upon submission of satisfactory interim reports two months before the end of each project year. 1

2 Proposal Format Proposals containing no more than 14 numbered pages of double-spaced 12-point type printed on one side only will be accepted. This includes a title page that identifies the applicant and the principal investigator and includes the mailing address, phone numbers and electronic contact information for both. The page limit does not include the required letters of support and CVs for PIs and relevant team members. Proposal Content Categories Applicants should respond fully to each of the following content categories, which reflect the organic research priorities of the Ceres Trust. The maximum points that can be scored in each of the 10 categories are shown in parenthesis at the end of each content category description. Abstract. Applicants must provide an abstract that concisely (in 250 words or less) describes the content and scope of the proposed project and identifies its objectives, its methodology, and its anticipated findings, conclusions, or other outcomes. (5 points) Significance of Project to Organic Agriculture. Proposals should demonstrate the significance of the project to organic agriculture and farmers and explain why the proposed research is needed. They should show how the research proposed will achieve one or more of the following objectives: 1) improve organic farming systems; 2) facilitate the transition of conventional farms to organic methods; and 3) help make existing organic farms more productive and profitable. Objectives of the proposed research and anticipated measurable outcomes should be clearly stated. The proposal should include a brief discussion of the potential of the proposed project to make a difference. (10 points) Literature Review. A literature review is required to show that the research proposed is unique and has not already been done. It should demonstrate that the researchers involved in the proposed project are familiar with research underway elsewhere and that the research proposed will build on, rather than duplicate, the efforts of others. The application also should show how duplication of research efforts will be avoided. (10 points) Institutional/Organizational Capacity to Do the Proposed Research. The commitment to organic agriculture of the applicant organization or institution and its organic research experience and capability to conduct this kind of project should be described. This should include a brief description of recent and ongoing organic research. It also should show how the proposed project would contribute to any other organic research the applicant has underway. (10 points) 2

3 Description and Qualifications of Project Personnel. Applicants should describe the experience and credentials of the principal investigator responsible for the project and of other researchers who will be involved. This description should include information regarding their familiarity with organic agriculture and involvement in organic research. The application also should describe what each researcher involved in the project would do and the time commitments involved. (10 points) Project Methods and Materials. Applicants must provide detailed information on the methodology of the proposed research project. This includes information on experimental design, materials, treatments and measurements. The applicant should provide specific information on how the results of the proposed research will be analyzed, assessed and interpreted. Research must be conducted on working certified organic farms or on certified organic land. Organic certification of land used for organic research is mandatory. The integrity, applicability and the ability to replicate results all depend on it. Both the certification status and the identity of the certifier must be provided. Transitional ground will only be allowed for Ceres-funded research when transition itself is the research subject. Livestock research must be conducted using organic livestock. (15 points) Organic Farmer Involvement. Applicants should describe input from organic farmers in the design and implementation of proposed projects. Organic farmers should be involved to the extent possible in evaluating and disseminating project results and outcomes. The project budget should include stipends for farmers contributing time or providing land or other project inputs. (10 points) Project Work Plan. A work plan that includes project milestones and realistic timelines for project activities must be provided. For multi-year project proposals, a year-by-year breakdown of the project timelines must be included. (10 points) Dissemination of Results. Applicants must provide an outcome-oriented plan for dissemination to farmers of information developed by the research proposed. They should include plans for outreach to organic farmers through workshops, field days and other events; publication of research results; methods of distribution of materials produced; and the organization and timing of dissemination activities. (10 points) Budget Breakdown and Narrative. The applicant must describe a well-justified budget that is appropriate and provides the funds needed to carry out the work proposed. For multi-year projects, a year-by-year budget breakdown must be provided. The budget also must be in compliance with the Ceres Trust budget guidelines provided in the general budget information section below. (10 points) 3

4 Overall Priorities and Limitations Ceres Trust wishes to fund research that will deepen our knowledge of how the natural systems that sustain life on earth function, and research that will apply that knowledge to delineate farming methods that protect and work in concert with nature to create truly sustainable and resilient farming systems. Examples of research areas that are of interest to the Ceres Trust include: 1) Ecosystem Health From pollinators to amphibians, the species that inhabit agricultural ecosystems are in trouble. Research is needed to understand the impacts of thriving, healthy agro-ecosystems and develop tangible steps that producers can take to provide habitat, food and balanced systems to sustain all trophic levels on organic farms. 2) Water Conservation - From the California drought to the draining of the Ogallala Aquifer to the increasingly severe droughts now plaguing Midwest farms, it is clear that water conservation is a major issue of our time. We welcome research that explores the myriad ways that water use can be reduced both in organic crop and livestock systems. 3) Building Soil Organic Matter - While soil building is one of the core principles of organic production, organic farmers still struggle to maintain the high level of organic matter in their soils that is vital for strong, resilient and productive systems. We welcome research that will help enable farmers to fulfill this crucial element of their farming systems. 4) Minor Crop Cultivation Practices - The lack of security and unsustainable costs of depending on far-distant fields to supply our regional sustenance is finally beginning to be recognized. Whether from the peach orchards of Lake Pepin, small grains of the Plains, or the industrial hemp fields of Wisconsin, too much of our knowledge of agricultural practices necessary to rebuild a regional web of diverse crops has been lost. Ceres Trust welcomes research that will help re-establish the diversity of crops on our farms - organic grains, fruits, vegetables and livestock. 5) Soil Remediation - The abuse of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides that forms the basis of conventional agriculture has left our soil toxic to the plants and soil life it is meant to nourish. Adding to this are the yet unknown effects of the breakdown of genetically modified plants in the soil with their load of concentrated toxins and antibiotic resistant genes. Food crops cannot be effectively grown in the depleted and toxic soils that are the norm today. The three years of not using toxic inputs required for transition to organic production is not enough to rid the soil of persistent chemicals and toxins and resulting soil borne diseases. Research into effective methods of soil remediation is needed. 6) Tillage - Weed control and the over-reliance on tillage remain weak links in organic production. A truly sustainable system cannot rely on mechanical solutions. Research into the root causes of weed infestations and ecosystem-based controls is still needed. 7) Livestock Systems Too often, livestock research remains separated from agronomic and horticultural research. Research is needed in the areas of integrated crop/livestock systems; multi-species grazing; outdoor access for all species; 4

5 maximization of on-farm resources, including utilization of livestock manures; and livestock health benefits related to organic feeds and production methods. Research that the Ceres Trust will not fund includes: 1) Plant breeding that is outside the scope of traditional breeding, including all aspects of biotechnology and marker assisted breeding; 2) Projects whose results are expected to be patented; 3) Research that compares the efficacy of commercial products; 4) Research that focuses on the use of mined amendments or biochar; 5) Research that focuses on novel uses of fossil fuels, such as flaming; 6) Biofuel research; 7) Comparison studies of conventional vs. organic farming systems; 8) Nutrition studies; 9) Surveys, socio-economic or policy development studies; 10) Research relating to the development of organic markets; or 11) Conference proposals or project planning grants. Other Limitations 1. No actions will be taken by the grantee to pursue a utility or plant patent on any germplasm developed under the funded research project. All germplasm that results from Ceres-funded research will be made publicly available for further research and development, including plant breeding. 2. Farmers and gardeners must be allowed to save seed of any germplasm developed under the funded research project. 3. Research must be conducted on certified organic land with copy of certificate included. Transitional land can only be used if transitional effects are part of the research project. Proposal Evaluation The Organic Research Initiative is a competitive grants program. After screening to ensure that proposals meet the requirements of this RFA, qualified reviewers will evaluate and score proposals. The reviews may be ad hoc or, if necessary due to submission of a large number of proposals, the reviewers may be convened as a panel. The Trust will be guided by the results of the evaluation and scoring process but reserves the right to take its own priorities into consideration in making final decisions. Reporting Requirements Grantees will be required to submit: 1) a progress report at the completion of the 10 th month of each project year; and 2) a final report when the project is completed. All scientific papers generated as a result of Ceres-funded research are to be published in peer-reviewed journals as open source articles. 5

6 General Budget Information Cost sharing and/or matching funds are not required. The funds provided may be used only for expenses directly related to the research proposed. Grants awarded may not be used for international travel, construction, renovating or refurbishing research space, purchasing or installing fixed equipment in research space, major field equipment, or building or facility repairs. The funds provided may not be used for student tuition. Allowed expenses include labor, rental of equipment needed for the proposed project, stipends and expense reimbursement for farmer cooperators, and mileage for field travel. The recovery of indirect costs under this program may not exceed 20 percent of the total funds awarded for the project work required. Additional Requirements Applications must include: 1) a copy of the Internal Revenue Service determination letter or other document showing the applicant s tax-exempt status; and 2) any existing policies applicable to research grants. (501(c)(3) organizations must also provide a copy of the most recent audited financial statement. (These documents do not count towards the 14-page limit.) Applicants must provide contact information for the person responsible for grant award contracts. Applications from universities should be endorsed by the university s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs/Contract and Grant Administration or similar office. Special Considerations Although the overall quality of the proposals submitted in response to our Request for Applications has been very good, failure to respond fully in several specific categories has resulted in critical reviewer comments and lower scores. The most problematic category continues to be literature reviews that fail to meet the stated requirements. Other problem areas include: failure to provide all the required information related to organic certification of land or livestock; lack of information confirming the approved status of inputs involved in proposed research projects; failure to include CVs for project personnel; and lack of detailed budget information. Reviewers will again be requested to provide lower scores where project personnel fringe costs appear to be inflated. How to Submit Proposals Applicants may either apply online at cerestrust.org or download the application, fill it out, and upload it to our online grant management system. All necessary attachments must be uploaded and submitted for applications to be considered. All applicants must also submit six paper copies of their complete applications to: Ceres Trust, PMB 125, 479 Mankato Avenue, Winona, MN All mailed applications must be postmarked by September 25, Requests for information should be ed to: riddle@cerestrust.org 6

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