Posts Tagged: AFRI grant proposals

Support developed for AFRI grant proposal process

Bob Sams of Communication Services and Information Technology and Joni Rippee of the Program Support Unit (PSU) recently led a discussion about grant application support with members of ANR Contracts and Grants, Communication Services and Information Technology, and the PSU. From that discussion, a process will be developed to guide and support the AFRI grant proposal process as it relates to the ANR Strategic Initiatives.

The process begins with the principal investigator contacting the Strategic Initiative leader in the appropriate subject area to assess the proposal’s merit and fit within ANR guidelines.

PSU staff will be assigned to handle proposals for each specific request for application. Contracts and Grants staff will match up to each PSU staff member to ensure continuity through the entire process.

A communication plan, including a Collaborative Tools group and training for Contracts and Grants and the PSU staff, will be implemented to keep the PI, initiative leaders, and PSU and Contracts and Grants staff updated.

Apply to review AFRI grant proposals

While the National Institute for Food and Agriculture’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) grants program is getting a lot of attention these days, it is more than just another grant opportunity. It represents a significant and strategic shift in the funding philosophy and goals that reflect the formation and purpose behind the formation of NIFA. One of those goals is to better integrate research and extension in order to solve difficult problems.

ANR academics who are NOT planning to apply for the 2010 AFRI grants are encouraged to consider becoming peer reviewers for the federal funding program.

By participating on a review panel, not only do you get a chance to see and compare proposals, you also have the opportunity to influence the quality and effectiveness of the extension delivery elements of these and future grant programs.

To be considered as a potential reviewer, send an e-mail message with your contact information and area(s) of scientific or technical expertise (limit to 4 or 5 keywords) to newreviewer@nifa.usda.gov and to appropriate AFRI program area leaders.

Candidates should also send a C.V. containing their qualifications and experience to the AFRI program area leaders, whose contact information is listed at http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/afri/afri_program_deadline_dates.html.

For more information about the AFRI peer-review process, see http://www.nifa.usda.gov/business/pdfs/afri_reviewer_guidelines_fy2009.pdf.

View or leave comments for the Executive Working Group

These announcements are also posted and archived on the ANR Update pages.

Program Council, academic hiring, AFRI grant proposals

PC to include county-based members

With input from the current regional directors and other ANR academics, the Executive Working Group and Program Council have agreed on the importance of adding county-based academics with a statewide perspective to Program Council.

Barbara Allen-Diaz, AVP-Strategic Initiatives and Academic Programs, has announced that when the two remaining regional directors leave Program Council on July 1, county-based academics will be appointed. The selection process for these positions has not been determined. Allen-Diaz has already asked Academic Assembly Council for input and will seek input from across the ANR community to choose county-based members.

“Implementation of our Strategic Vision is accelerating and Program Council needs county-based academics with a broad statewide perspective for the benefit of the organization as a whole and a willingness to serve monthly for three to five years,” said Allen-Diaz. “I will be asking for input on a process for selecting these individuals.”

For a list of current PC members, see http://ucanr.org/sites/anrstaff/Divisionwide_Programs/Program_Council.

Input sought for process to prioritize academic posts

EWG will be creating a process for identifying and prioritizing Cooperative Extension academic positions to fill.

“While budget uncertainties remain, we recognize that ANR is at or below critical mass in the advisor and specialist ranks and we must move quickly and responsibly to begin filling critical academic positions,” said Allen-Diaz.

While no academic positions were eliminated by budget cuts, retirements and other voluntary separations have been a key source of cost savings beyond the administrative restructuring.

“We will be consulting broadly across the organization to develop a process for this critical task.”  Allen-Diaz said, “It is important that we also move quickly to develop the right process so we can begin selecting and recruiting for the highest priority academic positions.”

Guidelines for AFRI grant proposals posted

 

The Strategic Initiative leaders have released a set of guidelines for ANR academics who are interested in applying for USDA’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) 2010 grant program.

ANR wants to aid research/extension teams in their efforts to compete for these funds for projects that are relevant to the Division’s Strategic Initiatives. If you are considering an AFRI application, please contact the appropriate initiative leader and see the process, criteria and other details at http://ucanr.org/sites/anrstaff/files/1235.pdf.

View or leave comments for the Executive Working Group

 

These announcements are also posted and archived on the ANR Update pages.

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