The intent of the SCRI is to promote collaboration, open communication, the exchange of information, and the development of resources that accelerate application of scientific discovery and technology to solving needs of the various specialty crop industries. SCRI will give priority to projects that are multistate, multi-institutional, or trans-disciplinary, and include explicit mechanisms to communicate results to producers and the public.
The SCRI offers the following five project types in FY 2009. These project types are described in more detail in Part II(C) of the RFA. Applicants should decide which project type is best suited to the objectives of their research and extension project and develop a budget that fits the objectives.
| 1. |
1. Standard Research and Extension Projects (SREPs) |
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a. Project Period – Up to five (5) years. |
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b. Budget – Normally, federal funds will not exceed $2,000,000 per project. |
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c. Purpose – To support targeted problem-solving efforts that contribute to the overall sustainability of a primary system or one of its components, and that would not otherwise qualify in scope and effort for support as a Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP). |
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| 2. |
Coordinated Agricultural Projects (CAPs) |
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a.
Project Period – Three (3) to five (5) years. |
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b. Budget – Normally, federal funds will not exceed $2,000,000 per year. |
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c.
Purpose – To address multiple components of a primary system, an entire primary system, or problems that cut across primary systems, with the expectation that the project will make strong contributions to the sustainability of the system or system component. These projects would apply trans-disciplinary, multi-functional, and, where appropriate, multi-institutional approaches to provide viable solutions to the highest priority stakeholder needs. |
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| 3. |
Regional Partnerships for Innovation (RPIs) |
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a.
Project Period – Two (2) to three (3) years. |
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b.
Budget – Normally, federal funds will not exceed $2,000,000 per project. |
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c.
Purpose – To form broad-based partnerships that provide the local or regional infrastructure needed to fully exploit future technology commercialization and adoption. These networks will be comprised of partnerships among universities, local governments, financial stakeholders, end-user industries, manufacturers, community organizations, etc. RPI awards will support the initial development of regional partnerships with the expectation that they would be self-supporting by the end of a grant’s project period. |
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| 4. |
eXtension Projects |
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a.
Project Period – Three (3) to five (5) years. |
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b.
Budget – Normally, federal funds will not exceed $500,000 per project. |
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c.
Purpose – To develop Communities of Practice (COP) proposals for the eXtension system, to support existing COPs, and provide additional resources to ensure that information and technology transfer reach potential adopters as quickly as possible. |
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| 5. |
Research and Extension Planning Projects |
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a.
Project Period – One (1) year. |
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b. Budget – Federal funds up to $50,000 per project. |
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c.
Purpose – To provide assistance to applicants in the development of quality proposals. Applications are encouraged for meetings that bring together scientists and others, including end-users and technology providers, to identify research and/or extension needs, update information, and advance understanding of specialty crop issues and problems. This information should be used to build teams that can develop applications to address the identified challenges using a systems-based, trans-disciplinary focus.
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