Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station

MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

PROJECT PROPOSALS for FY 13 (10/1/12 – 9/30/13)

Proposals should be attached to an email and sent to William Miller () by May 15th, 2012

PROJECT NUMBER. / Will be assigned by Experiment Station
TITLE. / A brief, clear, specific designation of the topic and focus of the research. The title is not to exceed 132 characters and spaces.
JUSTIFICATION. / Why is the proposed research necessary? A statement of the issue or problem that will be addressed; how the work, if successful, will advance your discipline, fill gaps in an existing knowledge base, and contribute to solutions or have other public benefits.
PREVIOUS WORK AND PRESENT OUTLOOK. / A brief summary (with citations) of previous research; the status of current research, including research that is being conducted by the proposed investigator(s); and any prospective future research for which this work is expected to contribute (a separate reference list should be attached to the proposal).
GOALS/
OBJECTIVES/
OUTPUTS. / Provide a clear, concise statement of the goals and objectives of the proposed project. Include a description of the expected outputs (activities, events, services, and products). Goals, objectives and outputs should be presented in the form of a numbered list.
METHODS. / A statement of the approaches to be used for attaining each of the goals and objectives, and for completing each of the outputs in the numbered list (see above). For each element, or as a separate narrative, describe experimental methods, including how the data will be obtained and analyzed. Discuss any potential barriers, contingencies or alternative strategies. This statement should show that the research has been carefully planned.
PROBABLE DURATION / Estimate the maximum time required to complete the planned research and publish the results. Projects should be planned for either three or four years with the possibility of a one-year extension.
SIGNIFICANCE, OUTCOMES OR IMPACTS. / Describe expected outcomes or impacts and their significance. Consider the significance from the perspective of both scientific knowledge and potential public benefits. Discuss the future potential of the project to leverage additional external funds or other ways that outcomes or impacts might be sustained beyond the funding of the project.
EVALUATION MILESTONES / Describe anticipated accomplishments for the duration of the project (year to year) that could demonstrate progress. How should the success of the project be evaluated upon completion? Wherever possible, include information on how outcomes and impacts could be quantified or measured.
UNITS INVOLVED / Specify the university units that will be involved and describe any resources, services or facilities they will provide. Units may include colleges, academic departments, or units of the UMass Center for Agriculture (e.g. UMass Extension, research farms or facilities).
COOPERATION / Describe any direct collaboration with USDA or Agricultural Experiment Stations in other states, as well as other universities or agencies that are formally or informally involved with the project.
PERSONNEL & EFFORT / List the names of all individuals who will devote time and effort towards the project. Enter the annual estimated total effort for each category in the table below. Descriptions are included below the table. Note: Effort is calculated as the percentage of an individual’s time (e.g. for a full-time professional contributing one day per week for an entire year, enter .20).
Staff Categories / 1st year / 2nd year / 3rd year / 4th year
Scientist
Technical
Professional & Grad Students
Clerical & Other

Scientist - This is the portion of annual time for faculty/scientists (Assistant Professor and above) who are responsible for creative ideas, scientific judgments, and are ultimately responsible for the planning and results of the project.

Technical - This is the portion of annual time for technicians, aids, and laboratory assistants assigned who will be assigned to support the activities of the project.

Professional– This is the portion of annual time for other individuals who hold professional positions and who are assigned to support the activities of the project. Graduate are considered categorized professionals.

PEER REVIEW / Applicants should send the name and contact information (email) for three external reviewers. At least two of the identified individuals should be qualified to provide an academic or scholarly review.
APPROVALS / The Project Leader (PI) and any Co-Investigators must sign below. The signature of the department head is also required.

Project Leader ______

Co-Investigator ______

Co-Investigator ______

Co-Investigator ______

Department Head ______