NCR-SARE Announces 2023 Graduate Student Call for Proposals

February 15, 2023
Eoghan McCroskey received SARE Graduate Student grant support to develop an efficacious biotic index based on springtail communities to help foster soil biodiversity.

The 2023 North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) Graduate Student Grant Call for Proposals is now available.

Graduate students enrolled at colleges or universities in the North Central region can submit proposals for up to $15,000 to fund sustainable agriculture projects that will be part of their educational programs. In 2023, $300,000 will be available to fund about 20 grant projects. Individual grants are for $15,000 and can fund projects lasting up to 36 months. We received 47 applications in 2022 and funded 22 projects averaging $14,800, with durations ranging from 12 to 36 months.

Previously funded proposals have contributed to farmer or rancher economic viability, environmental quality, and the enhancement of the quality of life of farmers or ranchers, their communities, and society as a whole. NCR-SARE strongly encourages students to involve farmers and ranchers engaged in their Graduate Student Grant projects.

Deadline
NCR-SARE will accept proposals for the Graduate Student Grant Program using our online submission system. More information about the online submission system can be found in the call for proposals. Proposals must be submitted online by 4pm central time, April 20, 2023. 

Zoom Session
Anyone interested in the NCR-SARE Graduate Student Grant Program can join NCR-SARE for a Zoom meeting about applying for a Graduate Student grant on February 28, 2023, at 2pm central time. You must register for the zoom meeting.

NCR-SARE intends to record the meeting and post the link on the Graduate Student Grant webpage.

Funding Decisions
NCR-SARE’s Administrative Council (AC) members decide which projects will receive SARE funds. A collection of farm and non-farm citizens, the AC includes a diverse mix of regional agricultural stakeholders. Council members hail from regional farms and ranches, the Cooperative Extension Service, universities, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations. 

Since 1988, the SARE program has helped advance farming systems that are economically viable. environmentally sound, and good for communities through a nationwide research and education grants program. The program, part of USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, funds projects and conducts outreach designed to improve agricultural systems.

Questions?
Potential applicants can contact Beth Nelson with questions at bethnelson@umn.edu or 612-626-4436. 

Related Locations: North Central