VI.  PROPOSAL FORMAT

Proposals must be submitted in the following format using the forms provided in the IPM Application Forms Package.  Please see http://www.reeusda.gov/agsys/ipm/forms.htm. 

Please note that the Application for Funding form and the IPM Budget have been modified to enable applicants to include information pertaining to research, extension, or joint research-extension projects.  You need only to complete these forms as they pertain to the type of project for which you are applying.

A.  Application for Funding

One copy of the application must contain the pen-and-ink signature(s) of the proposing principal investigator(s)/project director(s).  Any proposed principal investigator/project director or co-principal investigator/co-project director whose signature does not appear on the Application for Funding form will not be listed on any resulting grant award.  Please pay particular attention to the following blocks:

1.  Total Funds Requested (Block 14).  Accurately include the amount requested from research funds (P.L. 89-106) and/or extension funds (Smith-Lever 3(d)).  This is important since it will be an indicator of whether the proposal is a research, extension, or a combined research-extension submission.

2.  Certification (following Block 22).  Proposals require the following Authorized Organizational Representative's (AOR) signatures.  An AOR is an individual who possesses the necessary authority to commit the institution's time and other relevant resources to the project:

Type of Request                                    Required AOR Signature(s)

Research Only:                         Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station or other AOR

Extension Only:                         Director of the Cooperative Extension Service

Combined Effort Proposal:              (1) Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station or other AOR, and (2) the Director of the Cooperative Extension Service

B.  Table of Contents

For ease in locating information, each proposal must contain a detailed table of contents.  The Table of Contents should be placed after the Application for Funding form and contain page number references for each component of the proposal.

C.  Abstract

Provide a brief description (no more than one page) of the problem or opportunity, and project objectives.

D.  The Problem, Background, and Justification

Describe why current technologies are inadequate and how the proposed approach will help improve the pest management system.  Address the specific needs identified in this solicitation and identify the relative importance of the strategy(ies) to an improved pest management system in the region/area, and the potential applicability of the proposed approach to other production regions.

E.  Literature Review

Review ongoing or completed work (local/regional/national) that is relevant.

F.  Objectives

Provide clear, concise, complete, and logically arranged statement(s) of the specific aims of the proposed effort along with details of the anticipated accomplishments.

G.  Approach and Procedures

Describe how each of the stated objectives will be reached.  Include appropriate experimental design and experimental units, reference methods to be used and appropriate statistical analysis.  Include a timetable for the start and completion of each phase of the project.  For a combined research-extension proposal, describe how the project will be managed, particularly how coordination between research and extension components will be achieved and maintained.  Provide detailed plans for evaluation of the project and how successful impacts and outcomes will be measured.  Include specific evaluation objectives with specific impact indicators (e.g., adoption rate, number of acres impacted, pesticide use, profitability) that will be used to measure the success of the project.

H.  Literature Cited

The citations should be accurate, complete, written in acceptable journal format, and be appended to the proposal.

I.  Cooperation and Institutional Units Involved

Identify each institutional unit contributing to the project.  Identify each State in a multiple-State proposal and designate the lead State.  When appropriate, the project should be coordinated with the efforts of other State and/or national programs.  Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each institutional unit of the project team, if applicable.

J.  Key Personnel

Identify key personnel in the proposed project and their specific roles in the proposed project.  Each individual must provide a current vita (2 page maximum), listing the most relevant publications.

A separate conflict of interest list must be submitted with the proposal for each investigator for whom a curriculum vitae is required.  This list is necessary to assist program staff in excluding from proposal review those individuals who have conflicts of interest with the project personnel in the grant proposal.

(i) For each investigator (and other personnel as described in the program description), list alphabetically the full names of only the individuals in the following categories.  It is not necessary to list individuals in each category separately; rather, a single alphabetized list of each investigator is preferred.  Other investigators working in the applicant's specific research area are not in conflict of interest with the applicant unless those investigators fall within one of the categories listed below.  Additional pages may be used as necessary.  A conflict of interest list must be submitted before a proposal is considered complete.  Inclusion of a curriculum vitae or publication list in lieu of a conflict of interest list is not sufficient.

(A) All collaborators on research projects within the past five years, including current and planned collaborations;

(B) All co-authors on publications within the past five years, including pending publications and submissions;

(C) All persons in your field with whom you have had a consulting or financial arrangement within the past five years

(D) All thesis or postdoctoral advisees/advisors within the past five years.

K.  Collaborative Arrangements

If the project includes consulting, collaborative, or subcontractual arrangements, such arrangements should be fully explained and justified.  In addition, evidence should be provided that the collaborators involved have agreed to render these services such as a letter of intent from the individual or organization.

L.  Budget

Each proposal must include a detailed budget form for each year of requested support and a budget form that summarizes total project costs for the duration of the project.  For a combined research-extension proposal, funds must be distributed in both the research and extension columns of the budget form.  See the budget instructions included in the IPM Application Forms Package.

M.  Budget Narrative

A detailed budget narrative must be included for research and extension activities.  If consulting, collaborative arrangements, or subcontractual arrangements are included in the proposal, these arrangements should be fully explained and the rate of pay for any consultants must be included as direct costs.  Letters of intent or other evidence should be provided that collaborators involved have agreed to render these services.  A proposed statement of work and a budget for each arrangement involving the transfer of substantive programmatic work or the providing of financial assistance to a third party must be provided.  Each State involved in multiple State proposals must be identified and the lead State noted.

N.  Research Involving Special Considerations

Form CSREES-662, Assurance Statement, must be completed and included in the proposal if it is anticipated that the research project will involve recombinant DNA or RNA research, animal care, or the protection of human subjects.

O.  Current and Pending Support

Each proposal must contain Form CSREES-663.  NOTE:  This proposal should be identified in the pending section of Form CSREES-663.

P.  Peer and Merit Review Certifications

By signing the Application for Funding form, the Authorized Organizational Representative of the applicant institution is providing the required certification that the proposal has received/will receive a credible and independent peer and merit review arranged by the institution.  (See Section V.)

Q.  Other Certifications

Note that by signing the Application for Funding form the applicant is providing the required certifications regarding Debarment and Suspension and Drug-Free Workplace.  The certification forms are included in this application package for informational purposes only.  It is not necessary to submit these forms with your proposal.

R.  Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act

As outlined in 7 CFR Part 3407 (CSREES regulations implementing NEPA), the environmental data for any proposed project is to be provided to CSREES so that CSREES may determine whether any further action is needed; therefore, Form CSREES-1234, "NEPA Exclusions Form," must be completed indicating whether the applicant is of the opinion that the project falls within a categorical exclusion and the reasons therefore.

S.  Current Research Information System (CRIS)

CRIS FORMS, Forms AD-416 and AD-417, apply only to the Pub. L 89-106 funds and will be requested if a proposal is identified for funding.