Clearly define the research question to be tested.  Summarize the understanding of the problem and provide background information, causes, and possible solutions. Do not simply repeat the wording in the initial letter of intent.

Summarize the key items that need to be accomplished for the research to be successful and result in information/products that can be put into practice.

GAF is seeking the insight of RFP responders on how best to achieve the research objectives. Proposers are expected to describe a research effort that can realistically be accomplished as expeditiously as possible. Proposals must present the proposers’ current thinking in sufficient detail to demonstrate their understanding of the problem and the soundness of their approach for conducting the required research.

Provide a complete and detailed plan on how the objectives should be achieved. Specifically, include a literature review and the other tasks to be performed, a detailed research approach, and anticipated outcomes. The research plan should also include a description of how the research team will ensure regular communication with GAF and describe any assistance that may be required from GAF and the timeframes in which this assistance is required.

Literature Review

Conduct and provide a brief literature review of the current state of the topic. Use APA format for citations.

After the award of the project, a more comprehensive literature review should be conducted.  Should the review lead to considerable changes in methodology or objectives, the Principle Investigator (PI) must present the changes to the GAF funding panel to discuss their revisions.

Research Approach and Anticipated Outcomes

Clearly describe how you will solve the problem and implement anticipated findings. Work may be divided into phases (e.g., Laboratory, Field or Year 1, Year 2) as necessary to clarify tasks.

The minimum deliverables necessary to complete the project include one peer-reviewed publication in a relevant scientific journal in addition to annual reports of tasks completed and data summaries as required.   List all plans for disseminating findings including other anticipated deliverables such as multiple publications (with the intended number), products*, conference presentations, educational field days, etc.  All publications are required to be open access.

*Examples of products typically most appropriate as stand-alone items include guidebooks, training materials, devices, instruction manuals, and brochures.

Provide anticipated timelines for the research study based on the proposed tasks.  Incorporate time for potential impediments that will minimize the need for time extensions. A 24 month timeframe is preferred unless a different schedule is specified in the RFP. Include sufficient time for report review and revision – a fully edited and ready-for-publication final report is expected 90 days prior to project completion.

Provide a graphical representation of all tasks, quarterly meetings, and deliverables on a monthly basis or as required. Include achievable targets and keep in mind that the draft of the final report and two-page summary of tasks completed are due to GAF no later than 90 days prior to the project completion date.

Specify all potential fees* that may be charged to GAF.  GAF may reject any fees not identified as part of the PI’s proposal. The PI is responsible for making sure that only reimbursable costs are included. Include the detailed and fully itemized project costs by task. This should include pay rates and fringe for all personnel** involved on the project (including graduate student labor, fringe and tuition as required). Proposers should include any items that are affiliated as part of the project (site to site travel, publication costs, conference travel, etc.).  Justification for all capital expenses (e.g. computers, lab equipment, etc.) should be included and will be approved solely at the discretion of GAF.

Grantee will be responsible for the payment of all sub-contractors associated with this project.

*Note that GAF does not pay institutional facilities & administrative (F&A) fees or indirect costs (IDC).  All funds granted must be applied toward the proposed research project unless otherwise approved in writing by GAF.

**Personnel. Grantee will provide its own employees in the performance of the services and will be solely responsible for all aspects of the employment relationship, including, but not limited to, compensation of such employees and workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, employment taxes and all other employee benefits for such employees. Grantee shall operate this project without discrimination as to gender, race, age, creed or national origin and will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Include a brief description of the facilities and/or land available to undertake the research and a list of the equipment on hand considered integral to the project. Specify any facilities, land or equipment considered necessary for completing the research but not currently available or on hand. It is preferred that the equipment is borrowed, rented, or the work contracted to someone who has the equipment and the expertise to obtain valid results. Arrangements for borrowing, renting, or subcontracting work using necessary equipment must be identified. Letters of commitment should be included to indicate the approval from landowners to utilize their land for the intended purposes of the proposed project. Include these letters as part of the letters of collaboration submission. Borrowed equipment and rental rates or subcontract costs should be included in the budget for borrowed or contracted work. In cases where it is deemed necessary to purchase equipment using project funds, proposers must be certain that the itemized cost information is included in the budget and that a justification is provided. Items of special equipment (any individual item costing $500 or more) purchased with GAF funding are GAF property and will be delivered to GAF when the project is complete unless otherwise previously agreed upon through the budget approval process.

GAF has extensive agricultural lands across our locations which may be available for research purposes. Guidelines for using GAF property will be dependent on the location and nature of the request and will be determined on a case by case basis. All researchers working on GAF property are required to pass a fingerprint FBI background screening.

Include a brief introduction of each member of the research team, explain their role on the project, and how their experience will benefit the research. It is understood that graduate and undergraduate students may not be identified at the time of proposal submission.  However, the number of graduate and undergraduate students that will work on this project should be acknowledged in this section with a general description of what their role will be (e.g. what tasks they will perform).

Upon acceptance of proposals, projects will have a memorandum of understanding (MOU) or similar agreement drafted.  Each agreement will be specific to the milestones and deliverables of each project.  This agreement must be fully executed by both the grantor (Greenacres Foundation) and the grantee prior to the grant being finalized.

For this section include the following:

“I acknowledge that I have read and understand the AGREEMENTS section of the RFP”.

For your convenience, please download and review a PDF copy of the scoring rubric before you begin your proposal.

Scoring Rubric

Please submit all files in PDF format. The file name should adhere to the following pattern: (LastNameofPI_GAF_Grant_YEAR).