To extend fundamental research activities of the Forest
Service by awarding grants to nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher
education, and organizations engaged in renewable resources research.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Grants will be used for research in the fields of forest management, watershed
management, forest range management, wildlife habitat management, forest
recreation, forest fire protection, forest insect and disease protection and
control, forest products utilization, forest engineering, forest production
economics, forest products marketing, forest survey, urban forestry,
wilderness, and social/cultural influences. Indirect expenses, when permitted
by statute, will be reimbursed according to the negotiated indirect cost rate
established by the Government's cognizant audit agency. Grants are limited to
5 years duration.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: Grants for basic or applied
research may be made to State Agricultural Experiment Stations, universities
and colleges, State and local governments, U.S. Territories, nonprofit
research institutions or organizations, international organizations,
individuals, and for-profit organizations.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Organizations and
scientists involved in basic and applied research activities related to forest
and rangeland renewable resources.
Credentials/Documentation: The principal
investigator must document competence in the field of the research proposed.
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87, A-21, or
A-122, Cost Principles for State and Local Governments, Cost Principles for
Educational Institutions, or Cost Principles for Nonprofit Organizations.
Pre-application Coordination: Standard Form 424
(SF-424) will be used. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedure: A complete research
proposal must be submitted following guidelines available in each of the
offices referred to below. The proposal must explain in detail the work to be
undertaken, the qualifications of key personnel involved in the work, other
resources such as equipment, facilities, and services available or needed, and
a proposed budget for each fiscal year during the life of the proposed grant.
A short biographical sketch of the principal investigator and a list of his or
her principal publications should be included. This program is subject to the
provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110, Uniform Administrative Requirements for
Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and
Other Nonprofit Organizations, 7 CFR 3015, and 7 CFR 3019.
Award Procedure: All research grant proposals
must compete for priority, showing technical competence and demonstrating the
ability to meet national or regional needs. Research grants are made only in
support of forestry research. Unsolicited proposals can be awarded for
innovative or unique approaches to the proposed project.
Deadlines: Applicants may contact the Research
Stations for deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: 120 days.
Appeals: Contact the Research Station for
guidance.
Renewals: Requests for continued support will be
considered as equal in importance and in competition with pending proposals.
Applications submitted for continued support should be identical to a new
proposal, except that a resume of progress to date must be added.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: The applicant's
contribution is negotiated. The proposed budget by fiscal year shows the
estimated cost of the complete project from grant funds and value of resources
to be contributed by the applicant. Salaries of academic personnel for periods
when they receive salary for teaching should not be included for payment from
grant funds.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: One to 5
years. Billings for expenses incurred may be submitted monthly, quarterly, or
semi-annually.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: Technical reports of progress are required
annually; a technical final report is also requested upon completion of
project. Fiscal reports are required at least semiannually.
Audits: The Comptroller General of the United
States, his representative, or auditors of the cognizant audit agency for the
educational institution involved shall have access at any reasonable time to
the laboratories, offices, or other facilities of the recipient for purposes
of review and observation of the status and progress of the sponsored project.
Periodic audits should be made as part of the recipient's system of financial
management and internal control to meet terms and conditions of grants and
other agreements. OMB Circular No. A-133, Audits of States, Local Governments
and Non-profit Organizations, is applicable.
Records: All related data, information, records,
and accounts shall be retained for 3 years beyond the expiration date of the
grant unless other disposition is specified in writing by the awarding agency.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 12-1104-0-1-302.
Obligations: (Grants and Cooperative Agreements)
FY 01 $13,762,000; FY 02 est $14,000,000; and FY 03 est $14,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $2,000
to $300,000. Average: $35,000.
In fiscal year 2001, approximately 425 research grants and agreements were
made. For fiscal year 2002, the total is not yet known.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
OMB Circular Nos. A-102 and A-87, as implemented by USDA Regulation 7 CFR Part
3016, are applicable to State and local government grantees. OMB Circular Nos.
A-110 and A-21 are applicable to educational institutions. OMB Circular
Numbers A-110 and A-122, as implemented by USDA Regulation 7 CFR Part 3019,
are applicable to nonprofit organizations.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: Initial contact for grants
shall be made to the Directors of the Research Stations, or the Forest
Products Laboratory as listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Headquarters Office: Deputy Chief for Research
and Development, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 96090,
Washington, DC, 20090-6090.Telephone: (202) 205-1075.
Web Site Address: http://www.fs.fed.us/links/research.html.
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Examples of executed grants are: effects of prescribed fire on nutrient
cycling in ponderosa pine forests; design and test of a proposed experimental
system for continuous press drying of paper; and biological decay of logging
residues.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Criteria are established on a program-by-program basis by Research Station
Directors to meet Regional or National Research needs.
