IPM Partnership Grants Program

Program Highlights

Purpose

Projects funded through the IPM Partnership Grants Program must further the mission of the Northeastern IPM Center, address or identify IPM Priorities for the Northeast, and benefit the region at large.

The efforts of the Center are organized under six Signature Programs and four cross-cutting issues where our leadership and advisory bodies see the greatest need. At present, the areas of focus for the programs are (not in order of priority)

• Community IPM
• IPM and Organic Systems
• Climate Change and Pests
• Pollinators
• Next Generation Education
• Advanced Production Systems

The four cross-cutting issues are

• Diversity in IPM
• Emerging Invasive Species
• Pesticide Resistance
• Economics

Funded projects are expected to contribute significantly to the adoption and/or development of IPM in one or more Signature Program while addressing one or more cross-cutting issue through the following:

• Forming partnerships among growers, scientists, educators, environmental groups, governmental agencies, and other audiences for the purpose of advancing IPM
• Increasing knowledge about pests and how to manage them in traditional and new settings
• Establishing or addressing regional IPM priorities for research and extension
• Teaching others how to use IPM to decrease risks associated with pest management
• Developing capacity for growing food sustainably using IPM

Competitive Preference Priorities

Competitive Preference Priority 1: Economic Analysis. Proposals that produce improved economic analyses of the costs and benefits of IPM adoption are eligible for up to 3 additional points.

Competitive Preference Priority 2: Diversity. These projects are eligible for 3 additional points and may apply for up to an additional $10,000.

A: 1890 Institution Participation. Projects that are led by or include an 1890 land-grant institution (University of Maryland, Eastern Shore; Delaware State University; and West Virginia State University) as a project partner are eligible for up to 3 additional points based on the scope and depth of the collaboration.

OR

B: Meaningfully includes historically underserved audiences. USDA defines historically underserved audiences to include stakeholders belonging to the following groups: American Indians or Alaskan Natives, Asians, Blacks or African Americans, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and women. The Center also considers 2SLGBTQIA+ to be historically underserved. This may include:

• Is a project focused on a historically underserved audience, or
• Is led by or partner with a Native Nation affiliated organization, or
• Is led by or partners with a non-profit that focuses on historically underserved audiences.
   

Types of Projects

The IPM Partnership Grants Program funds three types of projects:

• IPM Applied Research
• IPM Working Groups
• IPM Communications

Project types may not be combined into one proposal, but more than one project type for a specific topic may be submitted. For example, an emerging pest issue could be addressed through:

1. a detailed and strategically planned assembly of individuals (Working Group), or
2. a focused research project (Applied Research), or
3. the development of publication(s) and/or a pest management strategic plan (Communications), or
4. the collaboration of PDs submitting 3 complementary proposals listed above.

If you have an idea for an IPM proposal but are not sure which project type is appropriate, please see the table below.

Available Funds

Approximately $200,000 is available, with a maximum of $40,000 per award (up to $50,000 for projects that meet the Competitive Preference Priority 2 criteria). There is a 24-month time limit on funded projects.

Eligibility

Public and private institutions or organizations, businesses, commodity groups, and private individuals are eligible for these funds as long as they are able to meet the criteria for subrecipients required by federal regulations and Cornell University (see Appendix E of the RFA). Project directors (PDs) from smaller states, 1890 land-grant institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, and community colleges are encouraged to apply. All PDs must work and conduct the relevant work in the Northeast. Co-PDs may be from outside the region. PDs based at Cornell University must be PI eligible within the university.

Background

The Northeastern IPM Center began funding projects through the IPM Partnership Grants Program in 2004. The Center has primary responsibility for administering this program and writes the Request for Applications (RFA) with input from regional stakeholders.

Contacts

For questions about the RFA or your proposal idea:

• Jana Hexter, Grants and Partnerships Coordinator
• Deborah Grantham, Director

For questions about objectives, metrics, institutional review board (IRB), and evaluation design:

• David Lane, Evaluation Specialist

For questions about uploading a proposal to the website:

• Kevin Judd, Web Administrator

Subscribe to our email list to receive updates about this grant program and news about IPM in the Northeast.

Application Process

Request for Applications (RFA)

Applications are submitted via the Center’s online grant management system.

Note: You must create an account and log in to the system in order to view the online forms. After logging in, click “Start a new grant proposal,” then navigate to the “2023 Northeastern Partnership RFA” and click “Begin a new proposal.” For an introduction to the grant management system, watch these tutorial videos.

Resources

See the IPM Partnership Grants Program Resources for useful links.