Commodity Board Funding Opportunities

Base and Competitive proposals are due end of day Friday, September 27, 2024

Proposals must be routed via RAMP to the CALS Research Division by Friday, September 27, 2024. Please contact Sandy Fowler if you have questions regarding the submission process. Proposals will be submitted as a group to the Sponsor.

The WI Potato Industry Board (WPIB), in concert with the WI Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA), provides base and competitive funding opportunities on an annual basis. The WPVGA Research Committee sets the research priorities.

Request for Proposals for 2025 WPVGA Potato Research pdf includes the full RFP including the 2025 research priorities.

WPVGA Research Proposal cover sheet template docx.

NIFA Application Support Templates (e.g., Current & Pending Support)

Specifications for base funding potato research for crop year 2024 are as follows:

Base Funding Proposals (BFPs):

• Production (Wang)
• Seed  Certification  (Babler)
• Weed Management (Colquhoun)
• Disease Management (Gevens)
• Insect Management (Groves)
• Breeding (Endelman)
• Fertility Management (Ruark)

BFPs in the amount of $25,000 should include a description of the ongoing disciplinary potato research, new techniques/sciences applied to the base program and linkages to the WPVGA/WWF/UW Collaboration.

BFPs must include a completed Current & Pending Support form. Use the suggested USDA-NIFA template. USDA-NIFA Current & Pending Support.doc

Competitive Grant Proposals (CGPs):

The WPVGA will be accepting competitive grant proposals for innovative  potato  research  with a special emphasis on water related topics.  Grants should  take into account  critical  areas of concern  to the Wisconsin potato industry. Please see the RFP with more information on the research priorities that have been established. Proposals should not exceed  $15,000. The Wisconsin Research Proposal cover sheet should be used for grower review purposes.

Please direct WPVGA/WPIB programmatic questions to Karen Rasmussen by phone (715) 623-7683 or by email krasmussen@wisconsinpotatoes.com

For questions regarding proposal preparation or the CALS submission process, please contact Sandy Fowler at 608-262-3947 or sandy,fowler@wisc.edu.

The WCPB accepts proposals on a continual basis. Proposals must be routed via WISPER. Please contact your department-assigned CALS Grant Administrator if you have any questions.

The Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board (WCPB), with the help of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association (WCGA), is seeking proposals for the Grow-Discover Research Program to fund projects that meet research criteria that will add value to the corn industry. Research is important in advancing technology, increasing profitability, improving environmental practices and developing new markets and uses for Wisconsin corn farmers.

Wisconsin Corn serves the state’s corn growers through the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board (WCPB) and Wisconsin Corn Growers Association (WCGA). The WCPB utilizes checkoff funds to develop and defend markets, fund research and provide education
about corn and corn products. WCGA is a united, grassroots-driven member organization representing growers from across Wisconsin on important state and national agricultural issues in an effort to increase member profitability and opportunity. For more information, visit wicorn.org.

See the WCPB Word document for the full RFP including the WCPB’s Areas of Interest, eligibility and proposal guidelines. It is recommended that applications include the WCPB Proposal Cover Page and Project Budget templates.

For further information on Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board programs, contact Nicole Wagner by phone (262-372-3289) or by email (nicole@wicorn.org).

Please contact your department-assigned CALS Grant Administrator for proposal assistance.

Preliminary Crop Research proposals and Preliminary proposals for Education and Promotional projects are due to the CALS by noon, end of day, Thursday, December 28th. A preliminary proposal is not required but suggested. These include any new projects that are not currently funded. Due to the overlap with the holidays, please contact Sandy Fowler ahead of the deadline if you intend to submit a Preliminary proposal.  All Preliminary proposals will be submitted as a group to the Sponsor on January 2, 2024.

Continuing projects and invited Preliminary (new) proposals are due to CALS as a RAMP record by end of day Friday, February 8, 2024. All continuing and new full proposals will be submitted to the Sponsor as a group by CALS on Wednesday, February 15, 2024. RAMP funding proposals are needed for NEW and preliminary proposals.

The Wisconsin Cranberry Board (WCB) has issued its annual calls for proposals for Education and Promotion projects and Crop Research projects.  The information below is relevant to proposals for continuing funding as well as preliminary proposals invited to submit full/final applications.

Please review the Calls for instructions with regard to preliminary proposals, final proposals, and progress reports.

• WCB Call for Proposals for Education and Promotion
• WCB Call for Proposals for Crop Research

For further information on Wisconsin Cranberry Board, Inc. programs, contact Tom Lochner at the WCB office at 715-423-2070.

For questions regarding RAMP proposal preparation or the CALS submission process, please contact Sandy Fowler at 608-262-3947 or sandy.fowler@wisc.edu.

Proposals must be routed via RAMP to the CALS Research Division by Friday, January 12, 2024. Please contact Sandy Fowler if you have questions regarding the submission process. Proposals will be hand carried as a group to the Sponsor.

The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) is seeking project proposals that are supportive of the WSMB strategic mission statement. WSMB is funded through a checkoff assessment of 0.5% of the net market price of Wisconsin grown soybeans.

The WSMB invites a variety of proposals to address issues from many different disciplines. WSMB will undoubtedly continue to fund many of the traditional programs that are supportive of WSMB’s mission. The WSMB looks forward to working with all interested parties in the development of projects and programs that support the needs of Wisconsin’s soybean farmers.

Find downloadable details with regard to the application process, proposal cover sheet and project budget forms here: 2024 WSMB request for proposals.

Note that all proposals should be routed to the CALS Research Division via RAMP and are due to CALS by Friday, January 12, 2024.

If there are any questions, please contact Adam Kask by phone (507) 304-0956 or by email Adam Kask

For questions regarding proposal preparation or the CALS submission process, please contact Sandy Fowler or Casey Hillmer.

New project proposals should be routed to the CALS Research Division via WISPER. Proposals are due to the Sponsor by 5pm Wednesday, February 17, 2022.

Researchers with continuing projects (those funded in the preceding year and advancing) must submit a “Project Progress Report” themselves directly to the MWFPA in each year of an ongoing project.  This year, the deadline for these Progress Reports is February 3^rd.

The Midwest Food Products Association (MWFPA), through the Raw Products Committee, is directly involved in the allocation of funding for research efforts of food processors and seed companies.  Research proposals which were submitted and selected are funded by money raised jointly by the food processors and seed companies.

The Midwest Food Products Association (MWFPA) is seeking research project proposals that are supportive of the suggested topics and other topics that are important for the Midwest vegetable processing industry.

Refer to the MWFPA 2022 Request for Proposals for the funding announcement, a list of suggested topics, to obtain the application form, and for additional information about the application process.

Direct any questions to Jason Culotta at the MWFPA by phone at (608) 255-9946 or via email at jason.culotta@mwfpa.org .

Please contact your department-assigned CALS Grant Administrator for proposal assistance.

New project proposals should be routed to the CALS Research Division via WISPER. New proposals due to CALS by October 22, 2021. Please contact Michell Sass if you have questions regarding the submission process. New proposals will be submitted as a group to the Sponsor.

Continuing proposals should be sent directly to the FRC Coordinator by January 7, 2022.

2021 Wisconsin Fertilizer Research Program Request for Proposals

2021 Information for Researchers
2021 WFRP Request for Proposals
WFRP Award Policy

2021 WFRP New Proposal Title Page
2021 WFRP New Proposal Budget Form

General Information
The Fertilizer Research Program is funded by a tonnage assessment on fertilizer and soil amendments sold in the state and administered by the Wisconsin Fertilizer Research Council (WFRC). The seven-member WFRC is comprised of representatives from farming, the agricultural chemicals industry, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The WFRC mission is:
To fund research and other designated activities to provide a scientific basis for and promote the philosophy that the fertilizer industry supports economically and environmentally sound recommendations, practices and technologies on fertilizer material usage by the end user.

As directed by State Statutes [Sec. 94.64 (8m)], the program funds applied soil fertility, soil management or plant nutrition research as these topics relate to the usage of fertilizers or their impacts on surface or groundwater in Wisconsin.

The program typically funds 3-5 proposals that range from $10,000-45,000 annually.
Proposals requesting over $45,000 annually are unlikely to be funded.

Research Criteria – Please read carefully
Research proposals must address one or more of the following topics:
• Soil management
• Soil fertility
• Plant nutrition
• Surface or groundwater problems possibly related to fertilizer usage.
Proposals that do not clearly address a problem in these areas will not be considered for funding.

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:
• Topic originality
• Topic relevance
• Goal feasibility
• Research methodology
• Outreach plan

Proposals will have an increased chance of funding if:
• There is demonstrated support from industry, commodity or another stakeholder group
• The research has wide applicability to the Wisconsin crop producing and fertilizer industry

Eligibility and Funding Details
•Only Principal Investigators from the UW System are eligible to apply.
•Proposal funding will begin in April is provided on a calendar year basis (April 1-March 31) with potential for annual renewal for up to two additional years. Funds awarded in response to this call will be available April 1, 2022. A one-two month delay may occur when transferring funds to campuses other than UW-Madison.
•Award continuation is given on an annual basis pending evidence of progress and availability of funds.
•Funding priority is given to successful continuing projects.
•Indirect costs are not allowed.
•There is no cost-sharing requirement.

Application Process
All necessary proposal documents can be downloaded from http://www.frc.soils.wisc.edu
New Research Proposals: UW-Madison applicants: Submit proposals to CALS via WISPER by October 22, 2021.
•Proposals not fitting the format or requirements will be returned if ample time remains to make revisions.
•If you are unsure whether your research topic fits the mission of the program, please contact the Program Coordinator. There is no limit to the number of new proposals submitted or funded per individual researcher.
•Demonstrated support, if available, should be documented in the proposal submission.
•Using the URL at top of page, please review the online document “Award Terms and Policies”.

Continuing Research Proposals: Submit the progress report and modified scope of work (if necessary) directly to the FRC coordinator by January 7, 2022. Funds may be withheld for continuing projects if reporting requirements are not met.

Questions:
FRC Programmatic questions should be directed to the Geoff Siemering (geoff.siemering@wisc.edu., 608-262-9969).
For questions regarding proposal preparation or the CALS submission process, please contact Michell Sass at 608-265-9534 or michell.sass@wisc.edu.

Due to the high volume of anticipated proposals being submitted by CALS, an internal deadline of Monday, March 21, 2022 has been set in order to ensure that all proposals are reviewed and submitted to the Sponsor before 4:30pm, March 24, 2022.

2022 WI Specialty Crop Block Grant Request for Proposals
2022 WI Specialty Crop Block Grant Application Form (SCBGP Project Profile Template)

The following information was provided in a press release from the agency:

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting applications for the 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grants (SCBG) program. Applications are due to DATCP by 5:00pm, March 24, 2022.

Projects that focus on enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crop industries through research, education, or market development are eligible. DATCP will use a competitive review process to select the most qualified projects. DATCP will include the projects in Wisconsin’s state plan and submit this to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for approval and funding.

Specialty crops are defined in law as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. Find a full list of eligible crops and more information about the program online at https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp.

​​​Wisconsin non-profit organizations, producer organizations, government agencies, universities and other agricultural groups are encouraged to apply for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds. Applications may involve collaborations or partnerships between entities.

Projects can receive grant funds for up to three years in duration. Typical projects receive between $10,000 and $100,000. In anticipation of receiving funding, selected project contracts and work would begin in November 2022.

Eligible project expenses include compensation for personnel, consultant services and subcontractors, materials and supplies, travel (excluding lodging and meal per diems) and miscellaneous costs (e.g. publications, printing and postage). Indirect costs and tuition/tuition remission are ineligible expenses. There is no matching funds requirement. See pages 5-6 of the RFP for further details.

Requests for Proposals information and application materials are can also be found online at https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Growing_WI/SpecialtyCropBlockGrants.aspx.

Contact Ryan Dunn at Ryand.dunn@wisconsin.gov or 608-590-7239 with programmatic questions.

Please contact your department-assigned CALS Grant Administrator for proposal assistance.

North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) Request for Research Proposals for 2022/2023 (FY23) Funding

Proposals are due May 23, 2022.

The North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) combines soybean check-off funds from its 13- member states to sponsor basic and applied research, Extension and outreach, and communications to increase soybean profitability and enhance and protect yield, while maintaining and improving soybean quality and composition, through genetic improvement, agronomics, and biotic and abiotic stress mitigation for soybean maturity groups 0 – IV.

The NCSRP is seeking collaborative multi-state and multi-disciplinary soybean research project renewal requests and new proposals for funding to begin on October 1, 2022.  The NCSRP Board will fund research projects that address their goals to increase soybean grower productivity and profitability while improving environmental stewardship.  The NCSRP will fund both applied and basic research, and the communication of research results, to provide short- and long-term practical benefit to Midwestern soybean producers.

Please see the following information for additional details about this opportunity:

• Request for Proposals (RFP)
• Cover Sheet Template
• Proposal Template
• Budget Form-Multi-Year Template
• Allowable and Non Allowable Costs

Researchers interested in submitting a proposal should provide an electronic copy in Microsoft Word format of the completed proposal to David Kurth at dkurth@iasoybeans.com by May 23, 2022.  Questions can be addressed to Dr. Ed Anderson, telephone (515) 334-1059 or email at eanderson@iasoybeans.com.

Please contact your department-assigned CALS Grant Administrator for proposal assistance.