CVM Hatch Formula Fund Availability

Approximately $75,000 is available this federal fiscal year (October 1, 2011-September 31, 2012) with an additional $75,000 available for the next federal fiscal year (October 1, 2012 to September 31, 2013). The money will be used to fund approximately 3 projects requesting $25,000 in year one and an additional $25,000 in year-two based upon productivity and subject to availability of funds.

Deadline

Full Proposal: March 15, 2012

Background

When developing your Hatch funded project, please be mindful of the intentions of this funding as outlined in the Hatch Act:

Hatch Act
Act of March 2, 1887, Ch.314, 24 Stat. 440 7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.
As amended August 11, 1955, ch. 790, 68 Stat. 671
Excerpt from Section 2

"… It shall be the object and duty of the State agricultural experiment stations through the expenditure of the appropriations hereinafter authorized to conduct original and other researches, investigations, and experiments bearing directly on and contributing to the establishment and maintenance of a permanent and effective agricultural industry of the United States, including researches basic to the problems of agriculture in its broadest aspects, and such investigations as have for their purpose the development and improvement of the rural home and rural life and the maximum contribution by agriculture to the welfare of the consumer, as may be deemed advisable, having due regard to the varying conditions and needs of the respective States."

The USDA must approve all new projects before funding can begin.

Eligibility

The PI must be a faculty member in the College of Veterinary Medicine. However, faculty members in other colleges, graduate students, post-docs, or any other qualified researcher are permitted to serve as a Co-PI or collaborator.

Please note that faculty in all Signature Programs are eligible to apply for funds but researchers who are studying companion animals or animal models of human disease to understand human disease must link their projects to benefits to rural communities.

Please see the comprehensive portfolio of currently approved Hatch projects in the federal database to get ideas of how your project may fit with the objectives of this funding. Use the find function to do a search for the keyword pertaining to your project (cat) to find sample projects. Hatch Projects Comprehensive List.pdf

Review Criteria

Significance. Does this study address an important problem that is relevant to the funding program? Does the project advance the priorities of the College of Veterinary Medicine Signature Programs?

Approach. Are the conceptual or clinical framework, design, methods, and analyses adequately developed, well reasoned, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the project have a reasonable chance to succeed?
Innovation. Is the project original and innovative? For example: Does it challenge existing paradigms or clinical practice or address an innovative hypothesis or critical barrier to progress in the field? Does the project develop or use novel concepts, approaches methods, tools, or technologies?

Potential for External Funding. Does the project have the potential for external funding? Is the plan for seeking extramural funds clearly described?

New Proposals - Application Instructions 

Title Page - Complete attached cover page and obtain required signatures.
Project Summary – 200 to 300 words, including summary of objective(s) and approach(s) on a separate page.
Body of Proposal – maximum of five pages, single-spaced

1. Significance of research
2. Review of literature - Summarize the literature which represents the state of knowledge relevant to the proposed project and which provides critical background information related to the problem elucidated in the previous section, as well as for key research methods and/or techniques. Focus on the most important and more recent literature; if recent literature is lacking in this area, justify why it remains a compelling area for inquiry (e.g., significant new topics lacking information rather than those lacking scientific importance). Provide references for all citations in the Literature Review section. Double check that all citations have references, and vice versa, before submission.

   3. Objectives and hypothesis (Testable Hypothesis)

   4. Plan of work -- approach, methodologies and timetable

   5. Previous work of investigator(s) related to this proposal

   6. Plan and timetable for extramural grant submissions -- list funding agency and time of grant submission.

References

Biographical Sketch

Single Column Budget – Provide a budget justification on a separate page.
Please contact the CVM research office with questions (via email at vetres@umn.edu or at 612-624-2744) as to allowability of expenses. These funds may be used to support travel required to conduct research but not conference travel. Additionally, the funds may not be used for tuition expenses in employee benefits. Also, equipment may be requested and funded in proportion to the extent it directly benefits a project. Salary expenses for research personnel are allowable but faculty who are already funded on AES GAR salary lines may not request additional support. Summer salary for nine month appointments unless justified is not allowed.

Year 1 funds will begin approximately April 1, 2012 and must be expended by August 31, 2012.
Year 2 budgets will begin approximately October 1, 2012 and will end on August 31, 2013.
No expenditures may be incurred before the starting date or after the termination date of the budget period. Unused funds from one budget period may not be carried forward to the next budget period.Formula funded projects are subject to the provisions of the "Uniform Federal Assistance Regulations 7 CFR Part 3015” and "OMB Circular A-21". 

Submission Process
Please send your proposal as a single pdf via email using EZD Pilot Projects in the subject line to vetres@umn.edu and submit a signed paper copy to the Research Office (440 VMC) by March 15, 2012.