Grant Administrator answers applicant questions - Northeast SARE Partnership Grants - Part Three

The third installment in our series of 2024 Partnership Grant Q&A Sessions with Partnership Grant Administrator Candice Huber. This session took place on March 19, 2024. There are some brief technical difficulties, but there are lots of great questions as well.

Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education's (SARE) Partnership Grant program funds projects conducted by agricultural service providers working in partnership with farmers to encourage the understanding and widespread use of sustainable techniques, add to our collective understanding of sustainable agriculture, and strengthen working partnerships between farmers and farm service providers. Reviewers look for well-designed proposals that enhance the environment, improve quality of life for farmers and their communities, and lead to profitable farm economies.

https://northeast.sare.org/news/join-...

https://northeast.sare.org/grants/get...

Projects must take place on farms or directly involve farm businesses. Proposals should be relevant to farming and sustainability issues in the Northeast, and should offer both research and outreach components so that results will be available to the wider farm community.

Who can apply?

Partnership Grants are open to anyone who works for an organization such as a college or university, extension, agricultural and community nonprofit, etc.; a municipality and state department of agriculture or federal agency like NRCS; or a for-profit business entity that provides agricultural consulting, veterinary services, etc. Applications are limited to one per individual per year. While only one proposal may be submitted from an individual applicant, more than one individual from an organization may apply.

What types of projects are funded?

Some projects require just a few thousand dollars while others need more funding to complete their work. The cap on any single Partnership Grant is $30,000. While smaller, one-year projects are encouraged, Partnership Grant proposals that justify the need for a more robust budget will be considered, particularly if projects 1) enlist multi-institution or multi-disciplinary collaboration, 2) explore more complex subject matter, or 3) take longer to document results or changes. Northeast SARE funds may be used for expenses specific to the project including labor for project team members including the farmer partners, project-related services like soil testing and lab fees, supplies, copies, outreach materials, farm equipment rental or operating charges, travel and per diem necessary for the project, and indirect costs up to 10 percent of the total grant request.

How to Apply?

Northeast SARE accepts applications once per year. Proposals are typically due in the spring with project start dates in late summer. Interested applicants should read the detailed instructions on the website, prepare applications offline well in advance of the deadline, obtain necessary institutional signatures, and submit applications online. The review is competitive and with limited funds, not all projects can be funded. Proposals are reviewed by panels of farmers, researchers, Extension educators, nonprofit staff, and other agricultural professionals.

What Partnership Grants are not for

Grant funds cannot be used to pay for incentive offers and promotional items, travel to scholarly meetings unless essential to the project, cell phone charges, purchase of motorized vehicles and equipment, and food expenses unless necessary for the continuity of a training event or project meeting. In addition, funds cannot pay for capital costs, including the purchase of land, buildings, livestock, orchards, greenhouses, and other major farm or laboratory improvements.