2004 Call for Preproposals for the
North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program.

This funding program, which has funded some significant Michigan projects, has changed its schedule this year, with preproposals due June 10. As the title indicates, SARE funds both research and education projects. And although it is an agricultural program, SARE supports projects that deal with youth, community economic development projects, and food. Funding decisions are made by an administrative council with representatives from the 12 NCR states who are researchers, extensionists and farmers.

SARE has a two-phase application process. The brief preproposals (probably over 200) will be screened and only about 35-50 applicants invited to submit a full proposal. Of those, about a dozen will be funded with funds available in summer 2004 - up to $150,000 for up to three years. The deadline is June 10.

Part of Dr. Susan Smalley's work assignment is to liase with SARE. She would be pleased to give you feedback on proposal ideas and to review drafts to assist with SARE proposals. Other MSU colleagues who have considerable experience with SARE include Dale Mutch (current MI administrative council representative), Natalie Rector (PI for several major SARE grants), George Bird (former SARE administrator and current project PI), Doug Landis (successful SARE PI), and many others. Drop her an email (smalley@msue.msu.edu) if you have questions or would like additional information.

You will find the call for preproposals on line in pdf format at 2003 SARE Proposals (http://www.sare.org/ncrsare/04cfpp.pdf)