BACKGROUND

The Montana Potato Research & Market Development Program exists to “protect and foster the health, prosperity, and general welfare of the people of Montana” by promoting “intensive, scientific, and practical research into all phases of agricultural commodity culture, production, marketing, and the development of markets for commodities grown or produced in Montana.”  MCA §80-11-502(2).  Montana potato producers created the Program via an affirmative vote following the process outlined in MCA §§ 80-11-504 through 519.  The Program is administered by the Montana Department of Agriculture, which receives advice from the seven-member Montana Potato Advisory Committee.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Montana Potato Advisory Committee invites proposals from organizations seeking funding from the Montana Potato Research & Market Development Program for demonstration projects, applied research, and market development projects designed to address needs and opportunities for the Montana potato industry.

The Advisory Committee will review proposals at the first regular meeting of the year. It will recommend to the Department the projects it wishes to fund, and provide a suggested funding level. Recommended projects will be chosen based upon availability of funds, project type, industry need, and whether the project is new or ongoing. To qualify for consideration, proposals must have practical, near-term application that will stimulate an expanded Montana potato industry.

The Montana Potato Advisory Committee has established the following research priorities for the 2016-2017 funding cycle:
1. Management of potato viruses and their vectors;
2. Stem and tuber diseases caused by fungi and bacteria (such as blackleg, scab, soft rot and ringrot); and
3. Weeds as alternate hosts for potato pathogens.

Research proposals must be innovative. To meet this burden, the applicant must demonstrate that there is not currently any relevant research available that is applicable to Montana producers. If relevant research is available, the applicant must explain how the proposed research will build upon the previous research.

WHO MAY APPLY

Public and private entities, organizations, businesses, educational institutions, local governments, and individuals are eligible to submit proposals.

DEADLINES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Proposals submitted under this RFP must be received on or before 5:00pm on October 20, 2015. Proposals must be submitted through the Webgrants system at fundingmt.org.

To apply:

• Register Online. Before you can fill out an application, make sure that you have registered and received a username and password at www.fundingmt.org - see attached instructions below "Webgrants Registration Instructions"

• Log In. After registering, log in with your username and password and click "Start a New Application". Then fill out the application forms provided, being sure to "Save" often to avoid losing data. Application Instructions are also provided below.

Questions about this RFP should be directed to:

Montana Potato Research & Market Development Program
Montana Department of Agriculture - ADD
PO Box 200201
Helena, Montana 59620-0201
(406) 444-2402

Jana Mertens (JMertens@mt.gov)