Michigan’s Project GREEEN seeks research and education funding proposals

Project GREEEN (Generating Research and Extension to meet Economic and Environmental Needs) at Michigan State University has issued its request for proposals for the upcoming fiscal year (2014-15).

Project GREEEN 2013 report cover

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Project GREEEN (Generating Research and Extension to meet Economic and Environmental Needs) at Michigan State University (MSU) has issued its request for proposals (RFP) for the upcoming fiscal year (2014-15).

Project GREEEN, Michigan’s plant agriculture initiative, provides funding for scientists and educators to expand their research focus on plant agriculture. Doug Buhler, AgBioResearch director and Project GREEEN coordinator, said nearly $2 million will be available to fund research projects in 2014. Of that funding, over $1 million will be budgeted for new projects, with the remaining funding going to continuing projects.

“Our goal is to fund projects that help our plant commodity groups in Michigan move their priorities forward,” he said. “Because we have limited funding, proposals that clearly demonstrate benefits to Michigan’s economy through plant-based agriculture are most likely to be funded.”

Successful proposals must clearly demonstrate the projects’ benefits to Michigan’s plant-based agriculture industries and be very research-driven.

An RFP application and a complete listing of updated plant commodity research and educational priorities are available at www.greeen.msu.edu. A review panel made up of scientists, educators and industry professionals will select proposals to be funded.

Proposals will be accepted in four categories: basic research, applied research, Extension/education/demonstration and seed grants. All Michigan State University and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development employees are eligible to apply.

Founded in 1997, Project GREEEN is a cooperative effort between plant-based commodities and businesses together with AgBioResearch (formerly the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station), MSUExtension and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to advance Michigan’s economy through its plant-based agriculture. Its mission is to develop research and educational programs in response to industry needs, ensure and improve food safety, and protect and preserve the quality of the environment.

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