September 24, 2002

C-FAR requests pre-proposals for FY04 competitive grants program

The Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research (C-FAR) has announced its request for pre-proposals for its FY04 External Competitive Grants Program. The Food and Agriculture Research Act, the enabling legislation which guides the C-FAR appropriation, provides that a minimum of 15% of the C-FAR fiscal year appropriation be allocated to fund a competitive grants program. This program supports high-impact research that addresses the needs of Illinois food and agriculture and is open to researchers at any nonprofit institution, organization or agency in the state. Research projects must align with one of the five C-FAR research focus areas: expanding agricultural markets; rural economic development; agricultural production systems; human nutrition and food safety; and natural resources.

"This past year, the C-FAR membership devoted significant time to rewriting the research focus areas. We look forward to these new research priorities being addressed by Illinois' research community," said David Downs, C-FAR vice chair and research chair.

The competitive grants program follows a two-step format. The first step is a request for and evaluation of pre-proposals. Pre-proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by C-FAR working group members based on relevance to C-FAR research focus areas, potential outcomes and benefits to stakeholders, and dissemination plans. Pre-proposals are due by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on October 21.

The second step includes an invitation to principal investigators of top ranking pre-proposals to submit full proposals. Full proposals will undergo scientific review and evaluation. Changes to this year's program include the option for researchers to submit proposals for three-year projects (in addition to one- and two-year projects) and a funding limit of $150,000 per project, regardless of the number of years. Final funding decisions are expected mid-April contingent upon the FY04 C-FAR appropriation by the State of Illinois.

For more detailed information about the C-FAR External Competitive Grants Program, including the selection criteria and application instructions, please visit the C-FAR website at www.ilcfar.org, visit the External Competitive Grants Program web page directly at www.ilcfar.org/research/rfpp2004/ or call the C-FAR office at (217) 244-4232.

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