BACKGROUND

The primary goal of the Montana Pulse Research & Market Development Program as stated in the enabling legislation, "In order to protect and foster the health, prosperity, and general welfare of the people of Montana, it is declared to be the public policy of this state to encourage and promote 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.”

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Montana Pulse Advisory Committee invites proposals to fund demonstration projects, applied research and market development projects designed to address Montana's pulse industry needs and opportunities.  All research & marketing project applications will be reviewed by the Advisory Committee at the first regular meeting each year and a recommendation made to the department, which projects they would like funded and the amount of funding suggested.  Recommended projects will be determined by amount of funds, type of project, need and whether the project is new or on going.  Generally, to qualify for consideration, proposals must have practical, near-term application involving practices or organizational arrangements that will stimulate an expanded pulse industry.

WHO MAY APPLY

Proposals for funding will be accepted from:

• Public and Private Agencies and Organizations
• Business and Industry
• Educational Institutions
• Local Governments
• Individuals

DEADLINES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Proposals submitted under this RFP must be received on or before November 15, 2016.  Proposals must be submitted through the Webgrants system at fundingmt.org. Instructions on using Webgrants can be found at: http://agr.mt.gov/agr/Programs/Commodities/Checkoff/Pulse/  

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

Jana Mertens (JMertens@mt.gov)