Networking with Federal Funding Agencies

by Deb Hamernik and Rick Koelsch, April 23, 2014

A 30 minute visit with a funding agency program leader can provide invaluable  insights on program interests and priorities. Participation in a funding panel review process will inform will uncloak much of the mystery behind funding decisions on proposals.  Both can be extremely valuable investments to success in the competitive grant process.  The following document authored by Deb Hamernik provides valuable ideas for getting the greatest value from your visit with a funding agency program leader. We (see four names at the end of this blog) welcome the opportunity to work with faculty for planning your visit to a funding agency.

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Tips for Networking with Federal Funding Agencies

Trips to Washington, DC or Skype/Teleconferences

 

Goals:

1)      Find one or more competitive grant program(s) that are a good “fit” for your research, education, creative or extension projects.

2)      Make Program Directors aware of your credentials. Volunteer to serve on a peer-review panel.

When to start this process—NOW!

1)      Search for funding opportunities online and/or seek assistance within your college. Know the priorities of funding agencies.

2)      Collect important preliminary data that will enhance your competitiveness.

3)      Build a relationship with Program Directors---you want to know them and you want them to know you.

4)      Need to have a good idea of one or more specific projects before contacting Program Directors.

5)      Do not visit Program Directors if an application is under review in their program.

Before contacting a Program Director:

1)      Search the agency’s website for: competitive grant programs and contact information for program directors; Requests for Applications (RFA); Dear Colleague Letters (NSF); workshops; task forces, etc.

a.       www.nifa.usda.gov

b.      www.nsf.gov

c.       www.nih.gov

d.      http://ies.ed.gov

2)      Be aware of national priorities (National Academy of Sciences; National Research Council; White House Office of Science and Technology Policy).

3)      Prepare a 1-2 page white paper or summary (see Extension Employee Resources web page  under "Funding Opportunities" for sample format) of a project that you want to use in a grant application. Templates are available. The Office of Proposal Development will edit.

4)  Some federal agencies place an emphasis on application of research knowledge.  USDA’s integrated expectation for many programs and NSF emphasis on “Broader Impact” are examples.  Consider addressing application of research knowledge as part of your white paper discussion. See May 2013 Blog on NSF "Broader Impacts" for additional insights.

5)      Update and format your CV. NSF has a specific format. NIH has a specific format.

6)  The article, "What to Say - Not to Say - to Program Leaders" in theChronicle of Higher Education may be of value to faculty.

Trips to Washington, DC (paid by IANR, CEHS and ORED):

1)      IANR administrators will accompany you. Evidence of institutional commitment and support. Talk to Deb Hamernik (ARD), Rick Koelsch (Extension), Tiffany Heng-Moss (CASNR), or Jon Pedersen (CEHS) to plan a trip to Washington, DC.

2)      At least 6 weeks prior to traveling, email Program Directors to schedule meetings. Usually 30-60 minutes/meeting. Send a copy of your white paper and CV.

3)      Prepare a 1 page “tear sheet” or “quad chart” (see example Quad Chart at Extension Employee Resources web page  under "Funding Opportunities") to use in meetings with Program Directors. The Office of Proposal Development will edit.

4)      Be prepared to provide a brief, concise description (15 minutes max) of your research interests and unique aspects of your training, independent research program, UNL, etc. IANR administrators will listen to you practice this presentation and provide feedback.

5)      Listen for feedback and questions from Program Directors. Be prepared to ask questions (example questions are available). Volunteer to serve on a peer-review panel.

Teleconferences/Skype/Webinars:

1)      Deb Hamernik, Rick Koelsch, Tiffany Heng-Moss, or Jon Pedersen can help schedule.

2)      Search the agency’s website for: competitive grant programs and contact information for program directors; Requests for Applications (RFA); Dear Colleague Letters (NSF); workshops; task forces, etc.

3)      Email a 1-2 page white paper or summary and your CV about 1 week prior to the teleconference.

4)      Be prepared to provide a ~5 minute overview followed by specific questions.

Contact Information

Deb Hamernik, PhD

Associate Dean, Agricultural Research Division

Associate Director, Nebraska Ag Experiment Station

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

207 Ag Hall

402-472-2045 (office)

402-314-8643 (cell)

DHamernik2@unl.edu

Tiffany Heng-Moss, PhD

Professor and Associate Dean

Department of Entomology

College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

105A Entomology Hall

402-472-8708 (office)

THengmoss2@unl.edu

Rick Koelsch, PhD

Associate Dean

UNL Extension

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

211 Ag Hall

402-472-2966 (office)

RKoelsch1@unl.edu

Jon Pedersen, PhD

Associate Dean for Research


College of Education and Human Sciences


Home Economics 105C


402-472-4124 (office)


402-470-7360 (cell)

JPedersen2@unl.edu

Opportunity for Extension Water Funding

Rebecca Powers and Rick Koelsch, April 17, 2014

The North Central Region Water Network is pleased to announce its 2014 seed funding request for applications (RFA). A total of $80,000 will be awarded, with each award being up to $30,000. Application teams should engage Extension professionals and partners from at least three North Central Region states. Awards will be made for work in any of the following areas:

• Planning Projects  – The purpose of planning projects is to do one or more of the following:

• Prepare for competitive funding opportunities.
• Work with partners to plan Extension programs or related applied research that could be funded through contracts or other non-competitive funding mechanisms.
• Develop a plan for expanding a high quality Extension program to address needs of additional states in the North Central Region.

• Program Delivery Projects – The purpose of program delivery projects is to conduct new multi-state Extension programming for which a plan for multi-state work already exists.

• Professional Development for Extension Professionals to Improve Water-Related Extension Programs – A study sponsored by the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP) identified key characteristics of 21st Century Extension professionals by reviewing Extension job postings, surveying Extension Directors/Administrators and conducting focus groups with outstanding Extension professionals. The purpose of these projects is to enhance skills of Extension professionals identified by the study’s Advisory Committee as “emerging” to address a specific water quality programming need. Please reference The Skills and Attributes of 21st Century Extension Professionals for the list of identified emerging skills and attributes.

For more information including the full RFA and a recommended Budget Planning Worksheet, please visit the North Central Region Water Network website. Successful projects will be established

DEADLINE: All proposals are due by Friday, June 13, 2014 at 5:00 PM CDT

More Info

An information session for submitters will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 2:00 PM CDT. Please RSVP to Martha Martin if you would like to participate. You will receive access instructions prior to the call.

Extension's Role in Cover Crops

by Rick Koelsch, April 9, 2014

The role of cover crops in our Nebraska cropping systems and its contribution to the sustainability of our soil resources has been a conversation I have encountered in many places this winter.  Here are a few things I have learned and a few questions I have about Extension's future role.

What I have learned:

1. This is a topic that is equally of interest to main stream agriculture.  The Corn and Soybean Boards are willing to make some significant investments in this issue. Growers that I talked with at the Corn Grower's Association Board as well as at several Extension meetings this winter suggest that there is a plenty of questions from our most sophisticated farmers and very few answers coming from the University.
2. There are a small group of "early adopters" that know quite a lot about cover crops. These lessons have been learned from the school of "hard knocks". They may not be "replicated" experiences, but experiences we should not discount.
3. There is a "teachable moment" opportunity for the agricultural community on cover crops and soil health.
4. Our research and extension expertise in cropping systems has some catching up to do if we intend to be a part of this conversation.

 Gary Lesoing introduced me to two Nebraska producers who are experienced cover crop growers, Mike McDonald and Scott Gonnerman. I did not find them to be evangelists for the cover crops movement.  I did find them to be  knowledgeable and experienced individuals who are seeing benefits and have a sincere desire to learn more, possibly in partnership with UNL.  Here is what I heard from them about possible collaboration with UNL Extension:

1. There is a need for a cohort of farmers wanting to learn more about cover crops to have better opportunities to interact and share experiences.  Would UNL Extension want to be a part of this conversation and be willing to facilitate a gathering of this cohort with opportunities for sharing experiences and questions?
2. There is value in providing experienced cover crop growers the opportunity to share the lessons learned from their experience. Would UNL Extension partner with these  individuals to help share some of the lessons these individuals have learned.  With a lack of research based information for Nebraska (my observation), these experienced producers could be valuable partners as the the research is getting started.
3. Should our researchers be listening to these experience cover crop growers?  These field experiences might be a valuable guide to the research questions and answers that would be most beneficial to Nebraska.

I believe that the topic of Soil Health and the role of Cover Crops is an issue in which Extension needs to make an investment.  Who are the faculty that want to guide this investment?  What are the steps we can take to deliver solid information to our producers?  How can we collaborate with the more experienced cover crops growers?  How do we help the research community define the most critical questions for Nebraska to which we need answers?  I would like to know who would like to be a part of this conversation and some ideas on those first steps that might be most valuable.