Introduction
Priority Research Areas (and examples of areas of emphasis) Funding
Restrictions
Proposal Format Proposal
SubmittalEvaluation
Criteria and Award Announcement The Kearney Foundation of Soil Science is an endowment-supported program that funds research in the University of California. Its five-year research missions are planned and implemented to support three major goals of the California Agricultural Experimental Station (including Cooperative Extension):
1. To develop knowledge that will ensure a continuing supply of nutritious foods, useful fibers, and natural resources products in adequate amounts at low cost without adverse effects on the physical environment or consumer
2. To develop knowledge that will ensure a physical environment of high quality by enabling its users to manage and enjoy their natural resources more wisely
3. To develop knowledge that will contribute to the improvement of public health and economic and social surroundings
The Kearney Foundation of Soil Science is soliciting research proposals that address its 2001-2006 mission, "Soil Carbon and California Terrestrial Ecosystems." The goals of this mission are to:
· Understand mechanisms and processes governing the storage and flow of carbon in soils that support California's diverse ecosystems;
· Quantify impacts of anthropogenic inputs of water, nutrients, and pollutants, as well as physical disturbance, on storage, transformations and transport of carbon in soils;
· Assess the roles of soils in emissions and consumption of greenhouse carbon gases,
· Identify and analyze strategies and policy options for soil carbon management that optimize natural resource utilization and agricultural productivity while mitigating adverse effects of global climate change.
Funding is available to support one year of research during the final year of the 2001-2006 Mission. Proposals can be either for new research or for continuation of an existing or previously funded research project within the Kearney Mission (based on demonstrated progress). Examples (though other ideas will also be considered) of research areas are:
1. Policy and economic issues of soil C sequestration in California
2. Landscape scale evaluation of carbon storage and fluxes, e.g.,
3. Impacts of management on storage and fluxes of carbon, e.g.,
4. Mechanisms and factors affecting storage of carbon (organic and inorganic) and fluxes of carbon into and out of soils, including,
5. Effects of altering soil carbon content on soil water, biogeochemical cycles, biology, and physical structure, e.g. impacts on:
6. Relationship of California carbon cycle to global climate change, e.g.,
Proposed research projects should not exceed one year in duration or $40,000 in annual support. If the proposal is for continuation of an existing Kearney project, part of the proposal must demonstrate progress and products from previous funding (a criterion for funding of continuation proposals). Requests for permanent equipment must be justified carefully and approved by the Kearney Foundation Director. Indirect project costs are not permitted. An annual progress report (or final report) is required for each project. Grantees must participate in meetings of the Kearney Foundation.
Multidisciplinary, multiple PI projects will be considered (cost not to exceed
$120,000 per year for a minimum of 3 PIs). These larger projects must demonstrate
involvement of different disciplines and demonstrate how the disciplines are
integrated in pursuit of the proposed project. Multi-campus projects are particularly
encouraged.
The research proposal should present (1) the background, objectives/hypotheses, and scientific significance of the proposed work; (2) the approach and methods to be used; (3) qualifications of the Principal Investigator(s); (4) relevance to the mission of the Kearney Foundation; and (5) budget. Proposals for continuation of existing projects should also include a section within (1) demonstrating progress and products (pubs, presentations) from the previously funded Kearney project. The proposed project should be described clearly enough for a non-specialist but scientifically competent for a referee to understand.
The following items must be included in the proposal. Forms for submitting this information are part of the Web-based proposal submission system.
1. PROJECT INFORMATION FORM
Required information includes:
Title of the proposed project
Project period
Project areas
Abstract
Project description document (document to be uploaded as a PDF file)
Reviewers information
2. ABSTRACT
Project Summary (350-500 words summarizing the project research objectives, methods, expected results, and significance to the Kearney Foundation Mission).
3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Do not exceed 10 pages, including tables and figures, 2.5 cm margins, and not smaller than 10-point font in the main text. This document is to be uploaded as a PDF file in the Project Information Form.
The proposal should include clearly stated objectives/hypotheses and their significance to the Kearney Foundation mission, as well as the relation to the present state of knowledge in the field and to work in progress by the Principal Investigator. The narrative should provide background for the problem, outline the general plan of research, including its broad design, description of experimental methods and procedures, and, if appropriate, plans for the sharing of data, samples, software, and other research products. Any substantial collaboration with individuals not included in the budget should be described.
4. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Include only scientific literature cited in the Project Description. Avoid citing unpublished reports or other documents not readily available to referees. The bibliography is part of your project description document but not part of the 10-page maximum requirement.
5. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Do not exceed two pages. Include vitae, professional and academic information and contact information (telephone and fax, email and mailing address of the Principal Investigator).
List up to five refereed publications most closely related to the proposed project and up to five other significant publications, including those in press.
6. PI, CO-PI or COLLABORATORS FORM
A form needs to be completed for each collaborator, including the Principal Investigator. Expertise information is also required.
7. BUDGET
Prepare an itemized budget for the proposed project to include costs in the following categories:
Salaries and Wages
Benefits
Student Graduate Fees
Supplies and Expenses
Travel (restricted to U.S. travel)
Other Direct costs
Also a detailed budget justification for all major spending categories is required.
8. CURRENT AND PENDING SUPPORT
Use the format shown below for each project and include the proposed Kearney research project as the last entry. List all current and pending projects of the Principal Investigator(s).
Support: [] Current [] Pending
Project/Proposal Title:
Sources of Support:
Total Award Amount: $
Period of Project/Proposal
9. NAMES AND INSTITUTIONS OF 3 POTENTIAL REVIEWERS
We are planning to use some external reviewers in evaluations of these proposals. Please provide the names and institutions of 3 scientists qualified to review Kearney proposals on soil carbon. These individuals do not have to reside in California.
10. SIGNATURE PAGE
An authorized signature from your Office of Research is required on a title
sheet with the budget amount specified. This form is to be faxed to Kearney
at 510-588-4595.
Submittal Date: No later than September 9, 2005, midnight.
Proposals are to be submitted electronically using the Kearney Foundation Web-based proposal submission system. You can also access the system through the Kearney Web site.
Mailing Address (FYI)
Kearney Foundation of Soil Science
Dept. of LAWR
3234 PES Building
One Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616
All proposals will be reviewed and ranked by external reviewers and the Kearney Technical Committee according to the following principal criteria of quality:
Questions concerning proposal preparation may be directed to Kate Scow, Director,
or Gladis Lopez, Program Manager, by calling (530) 754-9668, or by email to:
Kearney@ucdavis.edu
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