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September 18, 2003
Release date: September 23, 2003
C-FAR Requests Pre-proposals for FY05 Competitive Grants Program
The Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research (C-FAR) has announced
its request for pre-proposals for its FY05 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, agriculture and related industry 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 particular program is intentionally unique
as it engages our stakeholder members directly in the review and selection
of proposals to fund. We welcome all proposals which address the priorities
our membership has established," said Larry Fischer, C-FAR 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. Final funding
decisions are contingent upon the FY05 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/rfpp2005/
or call the C-FAR office at 217.244.4232.
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