The following criterion are provided as guidelines for the ARF GRCs in selecting a grant for funding:

• IMPORTANCE OF THE PROBLEM TO THE COMMODITY/STATE - in non-technical terms, the  proposal must summarize the importance of the subject to the commodity or to the people of the state. For new or potential agricultural problems, the researcher should provide a best estimate of importance. For studies that are more fundamental, researchers must describe how the research relates to an ARF topic.
• IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED OUTCOME - Proposals will be given preference that demonstrate economic impact to North Dakota. Each proposal is expected to state impact of the results in terms of economic gains. For fundamental studies, the proposal can include value of the information gained to subsequent studies.
• INNOVATION BY GENERATING NEW INFORMATION - Judgments will be made on how well the project generates new information. New information includes descriptions of better agricultural stocks, better methods, improved agricultural choices, and improved monitoring, testing, or predictive systems. ARF funding should not be used for routine testing or repeats of tests that have well known or highly predictable results. A literature review is required to demonstrate the relative innovativeness in each research application.
• FEASIBILITY - Critical to the success of this program is the scientific and technical feasibility of any research, as well as the qualifications of the project's principals. Components of feasibility include: the degree to which the proposed research can be achieved with the facilities and resources available; the adequacy of scientific methods to produce results that are understandable and reliable; the degree to which the research leaders' education, training, experience, and other qualifications apply to the proposed project; and the probability of completing the project in the proposed timeframe.
• MATCHING FUNDS - Matching funds are not required for animal or new/emerging crop proposals and should not be included in the proposal (SBARE Minutes December 15-16, 1997;  amended February 9, 1998). For commodity proposals, priority will be given to projects that demonstrate a commitment for funding from other sources, from the applicant, or from other private or public sources. Matching funds may be in the form of cash, in-kind services, and/or fair market value of equipment, land or other resource. For major crops proposals, matching funds need to be clearly identified as specific to the ARF-funded project. Previously committed funds cannot be used as an after-the-fact match. Existing salaries and fringe benefits and indirect costs are not allowable as match. SBARE requires a minimum of 25% match for projects led by individuals in North Dakota, and a 1:1 match for projects led by individuals outside North Dakota (SBARE Minutes February 9, 1998)
• DEGREE TO WHICH RESEARCH CONDUCTED IN OTHER STATES OR THROUGH REGIONAL OR COLLABORATIVE/COOPERATIVE EFFORTS IS APPLICABLE TO PROBLEM SOLUTIONS IN NORTH DAKOTA - Certain types of research can be best conducted by individuals outside of North Dakota. Proposals from out-of-state individuals or agencies are eligible for ARF funding provided that the project includes a North Dakota collaborator approved by the SBARE or its chair. In regional, collaborative or cooperative studies, the roles and responsibilities of each of the individuals/agencies must be clearly defined.

Proposals are not limited to a specific dollar amount. Each year, the amount of funds available to the committees will vary. Grant committees are given latitude in awarding of funds; the award may be greater or less than the requested amount based on committee findings and on level of available funds. The committee may fund only portions of proposed research. The grant committee (or designated representative) and the investigator will negotiate changes in the proposal relative to changed or partial funding. Modified proposals will be returned to the SBARE administrative representative for tracking and accounting. For multi-year projects, committees have similar latitude. They can terminate projects immediately if progress is totally unsatisfactory; they can elect to terminate ineffective projects before the completion date; or they can decrease or increase funding based on the annual progress reports. If the researcher proposes substantial changes to the scope, direction, or nature of a multi-year project, a new submission should be prepared. Multiple applications from the same applicant will be considered if each application covers distinctly different research projects. Applications that have been submitted under other state grant programs may be considered simultaneously by ARF. The ARF will not fund projects that are fully funded by other sources.

Proposals are not limited to a specific funding period. One- and two-year awards should be common, with a maximum of a five- year duration.  Because ARF funds are competitive, proposals in each funding category must be considered at the same time. At the end of any funding period, a completed-project report will be submitted within 90 days.

Researchers are expected to complete grant projects within their specified time frame.  Extensions of time are discouraged and, in most cases, will be limited to a one-time extension.

A call for proposals will be issued with the month of August of each year.   Applicants should complete the ARF grant application form.

Researchers must select the funding categories (major crop, animal, minor crop) within which the proposal will be evaluated Researchers are responsible for completeness, accuracy, clarity and honesty of the submission. Each is also responsible for compliance with state and federal regulations governing conduct of research.

Award decisions by the committees are binding and not subject to review or appeal. Concerns about the process can be addressed to SBARE with the intention of improving the ARF funding system.

Grant committee members must disclose any potential conflict of interest. Conflicts could include sponsored research conducted on their property, they are related to the proposer, they have ownership interest in a company that is the proposer, or they would otherwise have direct financial interest in the grant money, e.g., they would be paid from the proceeds (as distinguished from just benefiting from the research generally). Less than 5% equity ownership interest in any publicly held company or in any cooperative shall not be considered a conflict. A grant committee member with a conflict of interest must abstain from voting on that specific proposal unless all of the other members of the committee present unanimously approve allowing the member with a conflict to vote.

All conflicted proposals will be reviewed by SBARE for final approval with the conflict disclosed to the full SBARE prior to the final determination. SBARE members are also bound by conflict of interest restrictions. Should a conflict arise after approval, e.g., the research ends up being done on the committee member's property, that member will disclose to the committee and to SBARE in advance or as soon as the situation is known, and the committee and SBARE will determine a suitable course of action. For matched- or joint-funded projects, the conflict of interest restrictions of all sponsors must be satisfied. (R. Johnson, General Counsel, Letter 8 June 98)

Successful applicants are expected to adhere to the conditions outlined in these guidelines. Following approval of the grant award, a formal grant contract will be executed between SBARE and the grantee. This agreement will specify the agreed upon objectives, tasks to be performed, timeline and budget, a fund release schedule, and any other conditions specific to the individual application.

Designated in the terms of all grant contracts, will be the requirements for annual reports of progress and both timeline and budget compliance.

Grantees will be required to submit a final written report describing the work performed and the results obtained. This report must be supplemented by a financial report of all expenses actually incurred and income generated by the project.

To protect the investment of SBARE, co-supporters and the people of North Dakota, all financial documents, books, receipts, orders, expenditures, electronic data and accounting procedures and practices of the grantee are subject to examination by or for SBARE.

• The ARF grant funds may be used for the purposes indicated in an approved budget during the funding period. Generally, the purposes include salaries other than faculty salaries, equipment, supplies, travel, publication (communication), data analysis and fees.

• Requests for equipment (equipment is defined as having an individual cost of $5,000 or more and a useful life of more than one year), only will routinely be funded. In the event it is critical for a researcher to submit an equipment only request, the following conditions will apply:  
  • an itemized quote from the vendor must be included with the proposal.
  • supplies required to operate the equipment are not allowed.
  • general purpose equipment is not allowed, i.e., office equipment and furnishings, telephones, etc.
  • If requesting equipment as part of an SBARE research grant, the same conditions will apply.
  • supplies, training, and maintenance costs of equipment are allowed only within the first year from date of purchase  

• Other uses of funds may be considered by the ARF Grant Review Committees if sufficient justification is provided. Indirect costs (overhead) are not allowed. Changes to the budget between line items is allowable if the expense provides a direct benefit to the project, but in the event of a breach of contract or non-performance, all or a portion of the grant award may be reclaimed by SBARE.

All research results are to remain in the public domain (SBARE Minutes February 9, 1998).

Subject to the policies of participating public programs and entities, rights to use products, processes or services developed under the SBARE-ARF grant program will remain with the grantee.

Potential applicants wishing to discuss specific proposals for SBARE-ARF are encouraged to contact the SBARE representative at: North Dakota State Board of Agricultural Research and Education.

     North Dakota State Board of Agricultural Research and Education
     Mary Helvig, Rural Development Assistant, NDAREC
     Voice (701) 663-6501 or (800) 234-0518
     E-mail: mhelvig@ndarec.com

Proposals are limited to five typed (in greater than 10 point font) single or double-spaced 8.5" by 11" pages, plus supplements and attachments. Applicants should follow the provided application format. Applications will be submitted electronically as a PDF document to the SBARE administrative representative.

Awarding of ARF grants is competitive. So that applications can be expeditiously reviewed and so that information is sufficient for adequate consideration, a uniform application process is adopted. Requesters should prepare their proposals in the format presented on the following forms:

• Application Form
• Supplement B - Project Budget