The 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 research
and 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.
The complete
announcement, application guidelines and abstracts of funded projects can be
accessed at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mrpbs/fmd/downloads/NCPN_Announcement.pdf. Cost sharing is not required but preferred.
Because the USDA limits an applicant to only one
application and/or be a third party 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, June 18, 2009:
1)
Names
and departments of the Principal Investigator, project team, and any non-UK
team members and/or collaborators
2)
Description
(3-4 pages) - Project goals, objectives,
proposed activities, and performance measures
3)
Budget
– also include source and amount of proposed cost sharing
A committee will be
appointed to review the information and make recommendations as to the
University’s submission. The project
team selected will be notified in time to prepare the proposal for electronic
submission by the deadline of July 6, 2009.
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).