- Author: Kathleen P Nolan
Dear Colleagues,
The Center for Produce Safety is now accepting preliminary research proposals.
Research activities sponsored by The Center for Produce Safety (CPS) and partner entities are to be directed to answering critical research questions that fill the gaps in our basic understanding in specific areas of food safety practices for fruit, vegetable, and tree nut production, harvest and post-harvest handling. The objective is to provide the produce industry with practical, translatable research data that can be used at levels throughout the supply chain.
To be eligible for a grant, the project must solely enhance the competitiveness of U.S. or U.S. territory grown specialty crops in either domestic or foreign markets. Specialty crops are fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops (including floriculture). Projects should benefit the specialty crop industry and/or the public rather than a single organization, institution, individual, or commercial product.
Research awards may not exceed $200,000 in total costs per year. Proof-of-concept awards may not exceed $50,000 in total costs, and the term may not exceed one year. Project term may be less than 12 months for proof-of-concept and regular research projects. However, the research project term may not exceed two years.
If you are interested in applying, CPS is interested in arranging conference calls with prospective applicants and the CPS Technical Committee to discuss project concepts, address questions about a specific industry practice or the reason for a particular research priority. Calls will be scheduled during the week of September 30 - October 4 to answer questions. To seek guidance on a project, please send your questions and three preferred appointment times on or before Friday, September 27 to proposals@centerforproducesafety.org.
Pre-Proposals should be submitted to proposals@centerforproducesafety.org by no later than 12:00 noon PT on Tuesday, November 12, 2019.
For additional information, please visit the program's website: https://www.centerforproducesafety.org/amass/documents/document/555/2020%20RFP%20Guidance%20Pre-Proposal%20-Final_091119.pdf
Questions about proposal requirements and general administrative topics may be sent to proposals@centerforproducesafety.org.
Thank you.
Kathleen Nolan, Director, ANR Office of Contracts & Grants (OCG)