|
Northeast SARE Research & Education Grants
General Information
Northeast SARE funds research and education projects that have an emphasis on improved farming practices and enhanced quality of life for farmers and rural communities. Research and education projects almost always involve farmers and other stakeholders in planning, implementing, and evaluating the project. SARE also funds projects where research, Cooperative Extension, and education are closely linked.
We do not fund projects that focus exclusively on research and then offer a research report, scientific article, extension bulletin, video, or presentation at a conference as the only or the primary educational product. If you are unfamiliar with SARE’s approach to sustainable agriculture, contact us at nesare@uvm.edu for background materials.
There is a preproposal requirement with a spring deadline. To be put on the mailing list for preproposal materials, email us at nesare@uvm.edu.
Northeast SARE follows an outcome funding model that requires specific performance targets and an application process that has several stages. First, there is a one-page preproposal that allows SARE to screen proposals initially for content and concept. Then, selected applicants go on to develop a full proposal, which becomes part of a screening process that includes telephone and, potentially, face-to-face interviews with applicants to clear up any questions about results or project design. At each stage, selection is driven by your performance targets, the likelihood of success in achieving your targets, and how compellingly your proposal advances our outcome statement. The Northeast SARE outcome statement says:
Agriculture in the Northeast will be diversified and profitable, providing healthful products to its customers; it will be conducted by farmers who manage resources wisely, who are satisfied with their lifestyles, and have a positive influence on their communities and the environment.
For more about performance targets and the concepts of outcome funding, download the Guide for Applicants.
If you are considering developing a SARE Research and Education grant application, you may want to review past grants
by searching the national SARE data base of projects to see what projects Northeast SARE has funded that may be relevant to your application.
Full proposals
The Research and Education grant full proposal is available as a PDF file. Do not attempt to use these materials unless you have submitted a preproposal and have been told to proceed to a full one.
Size of Awards
Previous grants have ranged from $4,300 to $331,500; the average grant has been around $90,000. While more costly proposals can be and have been funded, they are subject to greater scrutiny and will bear greater expectations for impact.
|
