The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) has limited funding available to assist full-time faculty who wish to pursue an integrated research project or outreach support program as a part of the 1890 land-grant scope/mission. The project should demonstrate interdisciplinary collaboration between CAFNR and the proposed college/unit, resulting in replicable outcomes.

RFP Issue Date: May 1, 2024

Proposal Submission Deadline: May 31, 2024

• Faculty (tenured or non-tenured track) holding a full-time appointment at Prairie View A&M University.
• A Principal investigator (PI) may submit one proposal. If a faculty member submits more than one proposal as PI, all proposals by that faculty member will not be considered; however, individuals may be listed as Co-PI on multiple proposals.
• Proposals received after 5:00pm CST on May 31, 2024, will not be considered for funding.

Proposal Format:

• Proposals must be submitted via the university’s designated online portal by 5:00 pm CST on May 31, 2024.

Each proposal should include:

• Cover letter summarizing the project’s alignment and relevance with CAFNR’s (previously CAHS’s) priority areas. Cover letter should not exceed two pages.
• Concise project description (not exceeding 2000 words) detailing objectives, methodology (including experimental or study design), expected outcomes (including publications, presentations, patents, etc.) and broader impacts. Preliminary data is highly recommended.
• A detailed budget and a justification for the funding requested.
• Curriculum vitae for all project team members.
• Support letters from department heads and other key or relevant stakeholders.

Funding Restriction Notes:

• Initial funding requests can be submitted for up to three years of funding.
• The funding cap per proposal and lead PI is $750,000 over three years, with no indirect costs.
• Additionally, faculty is strongly encouraged to make equipment purchases in the first year of funding.
• No more than 50% of an individual’s institutional base salary can be applied to this funding source during the academic year. During the summer, 100% (of an individual’s base salary at the monthly rate from the preceding academic year) can be applied.

Submission Requirements:

• Proposals must be received by 5:00 PM CST on May 31, 2024. Late submissions will not be considered.
• Proposals should be clearly labeled with the applicant’s name, department, and project title.

1. Relevance to Strategic Goals:
   • Applicants must demonstrate a clear alignment of their proposals with the strategic goals outlined in the CAFNR Combined Research and Extension Plan of Work and NIFA’s priority areas.
   • Proposals must demonstrate potential for significant impact within Texas communities, aligning with the university’s land-grant mission.
   • Interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary collaborations are strongly encouraged, especially projects that integrate teaching, research, and extension components.
2. Alignment with Priority Areas: Proposals must target one or more of the following areas:
   • Community and Economic Development
   • Crop Production and Utilization
   • Disaster Management and Outreach
   • Environmental Management
   • Food Safety and Education
   • Food Security in Texas Communities
   • Fostering Strong Families
   • Healthy Lifestyles
   • Preparing Youth for Life and Work
   • Sustainable Livestock Management
   • Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across five systems, i.e. animals, plants, food and nutrition, natural resources and environmental sciences and social systems and allied research as identified in CAFNR’s program areas and centers
3. Significance: State the specific gaps in the knowledge base and/or technology base, why they are important challenges, and how the proposal’s expected results will fill the gaps.
4. Innovative Approach and Impact: Proposals need to demonstrate innovative strategies and potential significant impact on targeted communities or sectors.
5. Project Feasibility and Sustainability: Projects should have a realistic timeline, enablers (equipment, facilities and intellectual resources) budget, and staffing plan that reflects thoughtful planning and the potential for sustainability beyond the initial funding period. Potential problems and alternative strategies must be concisely stated.
6. Team Qualifications: The experience and qualifications of the project team will be assessed to ensure successful project execution.
7. Support and Collaboration: Preference will be given to projects demonstrating strong departmental and interdisciplinary support that enhance integration across CAFNR’s teaching, research, and/or extension missions.

Proposals must be submitted through the Online Portal . For any inquiries related to this RFP, please contact: agreach@pvamu.edu

Additional Information:

If proposal is accepted, once officially approved, annual reports/results are submitted on an annual basis no later than March 1^st of the following fiscal year in the NRS (NIFA Reporting System).