Funding-Limited Submission - USDA – National Clean Plant Network (USDA-GRANTS-10092014-001); December 19, 2014

The National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) provides high quality, asexually propagated plant material free of targeted plant pathogens and pests that cause economic loss to protect the environment and ensure the global competitiveness of specialty crop producers. Priorities for this program include: 1) establishing and supporting clean plant network governance and related administrative and support systems; 2) providing for operations needed for the rapid and safe introduction, diagnosis, treatment, foundation block establishment and release of clean plant materials for planting from foreign and domestic sources for commercial development; 3) conducting methods development to accurately test, develop therapies, and support the establishment of guidelines and standards for different crop species for certification maintenance; 4) developing partnerships with land-grant and other university-based extension and outreach services to interact with commercial nurseries, industry associations, and producers; and 5) developing and implementing audit and quality controls.

Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is not required, but preferred.

Limited Submission: An Applicant may submit only one application and/or be a third party in an application submitted by another entity. If an Applicant is a member of or covered by more than one NCPN specialty crop governing body (specialty crop clean plant network) and applying for support for activities on specialty crops covered by more than one network, a single application should be submitted to cover the expense of all clean plant activity.

See the complete program announcement for additional details and requirements: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=268308

Because the Department of Agriculture only allows an organization to submit or be a party on one application, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process.  Individuals interested in applying to this program are to submit the following materials electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at limitedsubmissions@uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, October 27, 2014:

• Names and departments of the UK Project Director and key personnel; indicate UK’s role in the project (lead or third party);
• Title of the program and/or funding opportunity announcement number;
• A short description (2 pages maximum) of the proposed project including the program purpose, objectives, scope of work, methodology/approach, and expected deliverables;
• A budget with cost share and potential sources of funding for that cost share. Note:  Because of ongoing commitments, the Office of the Vice President for Research is unable to provide matching funds.

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make a recommendation.  Questions about the submission process may be sent to Ms. Annette Evans in the Office of the Vice President for Research (alevan4@email.uky.edu or 257-1663).

The USDA deadline is December 19, 2014.