Funding-Limited Submission – (USDA) – National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) Cooperative Agreements Program; May 17, 2011

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.

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.

The complete announcement, application guidelines and abstracts of funded projects can be accessed at:  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mrpbs/fmd/downloads/NCPN_Coop_Agmts_RFA_2011.pdf

Because the USDA allows an applicant to submit only one application and/or be a third part in an application submitted by another entity, UK has established an internal selection process. Individuals interested in submitting to this program are to submit the following material 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 Thursday, May 19, 2011:

1) the names and departments of the Project Director, project team, and any non-UK team members and/or collaborators

2) specify if UK will be the lead applicant or a party to another application; if the latter, identify that applicant institution

3) a 3 page description of the project’s goals, objectives, proposed activities

A committee will be appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the University’s submission in time for the June 10, 2011 deadline. 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).