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  Funding Opportunity Details
 131009-2024 AGR Alfalfa Research & Market Development Program
 
  AGR Commodity Research and Market Development Program
  Application Deadline: 01/31/2024 5:00 PM
 
 
Award Amount Range: Not Applicable
Project Start Date: 07/01/2024
Project End Date: 06/30/2025
Award Announcement Date: 02/08/2024
Program Officer: Dani Jones
Phone: 406-444-2402 x
Email: Danielle.Jones@mt.gov
 
Categorical Area(s) To be Addressed by Program  Agriculture 
This Opportunity is recurring  Yes 
 
 
Description
 
 

MONTANA ALFALFA SEED COMMITTEE

 

The primary goal of the Montana Alfalfa Seed Industry Act as stated in the enabling legislation, is "to improve the culture and production of and expand the market for alfalfa seed grown in the state by providing for research to develop and improve control measures for diseases and pests which attack alfalfa seed pollinators (i.e. Alfalfa Leaf Cutter Bees); improve alfalfa seed growing culture; and disseminate information to the growers.”

INTRODUCTION

The Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee was created by the 1981 Legislature to encourage development of the alfalfa seed industry through improvements and innovations in various aspects of the business. The 1997 legislature incorporated the Alfalfa Leaf Cutting Bee Committee into the Alfalfa Seed Committee.

The Montana Alfalfa Seed Industry Act is administered by an eight-member Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee, which is attached to the Montana Department of Agriculture for administrative purposes.

The Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee invites proposals to fund demonstration projects, applied research, and feasibility analyses designed to address Montana's alfalfa seed industry needs and opportunities. Generally, to qualify for consideration, proposals must have practical, near- term application involving practices or organizational arrangements that will stimulate an expanded alfalfa seed industry. Public and private entities and organizations, business and industry, educational institutions, local governments and individuals are eligible to submit proposals.

Proposals submitted under this RFP must be received on or before Wednesday January 31, 2024. Applicants with questions about information contained in this RFP should contact:

 

Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee

Montana Department of Agriculture Agricultural Development Division

PO Box 200201

Helena, Montana 59620-0201

(406) 444-2402

 

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

Proposals for funding will be accepted from:

  • Public and private agencies and organizations
  • Business and industry
  • Educational institutions
  • Local governments
  • Individuals

 

If two or more individuals or organizations propose to conduct a project jointly, they should submit one application as co-applicants.

Applicants must demonstrate a proven ability to carry out all elements of the proposed project. In addition, applicants proposing to rely upon the expertise of another individual or organization to undertake any part of the project must clearly define the responsibilities of that party as well as provide evidence of their willingness and demonstrated ability to undertake that area of responsibility.

 

PROJECT ELIGIBILITY

Eligible projects are as follows:

  • Conducting research programs to:
    • improve the quality of alfalfa seed
    • develop and improve control measures for disease and pests which attack alfalfa and alfalfa seed pollinators (i.e. Alfalfa Leaf Cutter Bees)
    • improve alfalfa growing culture
    • other research projects designed to improve the Alfalfa Seed industry
    • Disseminating current and new research information
    • Developing the Alfalfa Seed Industry markets, including:
      • conducting market assessments
      • planning and conducting publicity and sales promotion campaigns, including media development and trade show exhibition.
      • Education

 

ELIGIBLE COSTS

There is no limit to the grant amount a proposal can request. However, on average, the Committee has $40,000 annually for grant proposals; therefore, grant amounts should correspond. Eligible costs under the Montana Alfalfa Seed Industry Act include, but are not limited to:

  • Salaries and Wages
  • Fringe Benefits
  • Consultant Services (professional, technical, operational)
  • Travel
  • Advertising and Promotion
  • Equipment (preferably leased versus direct acquisition)
  • Supplies and Materials
  • Communication (telephone, postage, printing, etc.)

Program funds cannot be used for the payment of institutional overhead or unassociated indirect costs. These costs can be used, however, in calculating an applicant match (see CURRENT AND PENDING SUPPORT section for more information on match).

 

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must submit proposals to the Montana Alfalfa Seed Committee at the address listed on the transmittal page of this RFP. An original copy of the proposal must be received on or before January 31, 2024. . Applicants are responsible for timely submission of proposals.

In order to be considered, proposals must be responsive to the objectives identified in this RFP. Each proposal must be limited to one project or activity only, the title of which must appear on the cover sheet of the application.

The purpose of the proposal application is to provide evaluators with a written statement containing sufficient information to demonstrate that the proposed activity is a sound approach to an important area of interest as outlined in the RFP and that it merits financial support. The Committee will conduct its annual meeting in mid-February at which time the applicant may make a presentation in person. The Committee will then make a decision whether or not to fund the project and notify the applicant within 30 days.

 

PROPOSAL TIMELINE

Request for Proposal Published                                                   Friday December 15, 2023

Deadline to submit proposal                                                         Wednesday January 31, 2024

Committee meeting (tentative)                                                      Tuesday, February 8, 2024

Grants awarded                                                                             February – March 2024

Award duration                                                                               July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025

 

PROPOSAL FORMAT

Proposals shall be brief but thorough and utilize the attached form.

 
 
 
 Attachments
 
 Click on the File Name to open attachment
 
Description File Name File Size
PDF of Application Information Alfalfa RFP Application information.pdf 147 KB
2024 RFP- Alfalfa Committee REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL 2024.pdf 181 KB
Online Application Instructions WebGrants_Commodity_AppInstructions.pdf 659 KB
Online Quick Navigation Instructions WebGrants_Commodity_QuickNav.pdf 101 KB
Online Application Submission Instructions WebGrants_Potato_SubmittingApp.pdf 274 KB
Registration Instructions for Username and Password WebGrants_RegInstructions.pdf 242 KB
 
 
 Website Links
 
 Click on the URL to go to website
 
Description
https://agr.mt.gov/Topics/E-G/Grants-Pages/Alfalfa-Seed-Research-and-Market-Development-Grant Alfalfa Seed Research and Market Development Grant webpage
 
 
 
 
   
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