NCR-SARE’s 2023 Research and Education Grant Program Call for Preproposals is now available online at http://www.northcentralsare.org/Grants/Our-Grant-Programs/Research-and-Education

NCR-SARE’s Research and Education (R&E) program supports sustainable agriculture innovators with competitive research and education grants. Individual grants range from $50,000 to $250,000.

Roughly $3.8 million will be available to fund approximately 15 grant projects, with individual grants not to exceed $250,000 total for projects lasting up to three years (36 months). In 2022, NCR-SARE received 107 preproposals, invited 34 to be developed into full proposals, and selected 17 R&E proposals for funding. The average size of funded grants was $237,000 and grant lengths ranged from 24 to 36 months.

For the 2023 funding cycle of the R&E Grant Program, NCR-SARE will again be accepting preproposals for long-term projects. Recognizing that some research/extension systems work is complex and requires collaborative interdisciplinary work that takes many years to complete, applicants will indicate that they are applying under the long-term option. The long-term option allows for additional funding in subsequent 3-year cycles with satisfactory progress. See the Call for Preproposals for details.

NCR-SARE will be accepting online submissions for the Research and Education Grant Program using our online submission system. More information about the online submission system can be found in the call for preproposals.

Deadline
The deadline for Research and Education Program preproposals is October 13, 2022, at 4pm CDT.

Research and Education Zoom Session
A Research & Education preproposal application Zoom will take place on September 8, 2022, at 10am central time. NCR-SARE intends to record the zoom session and post it online here. Register for the zoom online at: https://umn.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0qdOmsqTgiHdfdr6vLBRS0e24lsY8-OGf5.

Funding Decisions
NCR-SARE administers each of its grant programs with specific goals, audiences, and timelines. Funding considerations are based on how well the applicant presents the problem being addressed, its relevance to sustainable agriculture in the 12-state North Central region, farmer-rancher engagement in the project, and how well it aligns with NCR-SARE’s goals.

Funding decisions are made by a regional Administrative Council (AC), with review from a Technical Committee. The Administrative Council is a collection of producers, university representatives, nonprofit group interests, Extension and NRCS people, other government employees, and agribusiness representatives. This group sets research priorities and recommends projects for funding.

Questions?
For questions or additional information regarding the R&E Grant Program, contact Beth Nelson at bethnelson@umn.edu.

Project Highlight: Stockbridge-Munsee Community Agriculture Agent Kellie Zahn is working with local educators on an NCR-SARE Research and Education project to give new and existing farmers hands-on training in many areas that she hopes will improve the tribe’s ability to grow fresh produce. Based at a community farm called “Keek-oche” in Mohican or “From the Earth” in English, Zahn and her collaborators have organized events and demonstrations on soil testing, crop rotation, cover crops, composting and intercropping with the traditional “Three Sisters” of corn, beans and squash.

“The objectives of this project are to increase community outreach and education regarding food production and increase the number of sustainably active farmers in the community,” said Zahn. “The Stockbridge-Munsee Community has conducted several community surveys and planning meetings regarding the development of a sustainable food production project that will restore the community members ability to produce their own food.”

Learn more here: https://northcentral.sare.org/news/increasing-food-security-in-a-mohican-tribal-community/