Funding-Limited Submission – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – National Clean Plant Network Request for Applications; May 8, 2012

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 state departments of agriculture and outreach services to interact with commercial nurseries, industry associations, and producers; and 5) developing and implementing audit and quality controls.

Further information can be found at:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mrpbs/fmd/downloads/NCPN_Coop_Agmts_RFA_2012.pdf

An applicant may submit only one (1) 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.

Because the USDA allows an applicant to submit only one application and/or be a third party in an application submitted by another entity, the University of Kentucky has established an internal selection process.  Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to submit the following materials electronically to the Office of the Vice President for Research at vpr@email.uky.edu and a copy to their Associate Dean for Research by Tuesday, May 8, 2012:

· Names and departments of UK Project Director and key personnel

· Specify if UK will be the lead applicant or a party to another application

· A short description (1-2 pages) of the project’s goals, objectives, and proposed activities

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make a recommendation.  The USDA deadline is May 25, 2012.  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).