Results Driven Agriculture Research: Targeted call for proposals

Sponsor

Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR)

Program

RDAR Targeted Call for Proposals 

Description

Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) has identified four targeted research priorities for its inaugural research call (Soil Health and Quality; Water Quality and Efficiency; Feed Production; Plant and Animal Diseases and Pests). These four research priorities were identified through the engagement sessions RDAR initiated with its Advisory Committee consisting of producer associations, commissions, marketing boards and Alberta’s postsecondary institutions. RDAR will allocate up to $4 million in funding towards research projects and the extension of project results developed through the research call.

RDAR’s Investment Priority

RDAR’s mandate is to deliver producer led, results driven agriculture research investments that will increase the competitiveness and profitability of Alberta’s agriculture industry. RDAR is focused on innovation that provides science-based leadership and is future driven. Submissions in response to the targeted call for proposals should be innovative and progressive approaches to providing solutions and direction to Alberta’s agriculture industry.

Objectives

The objective of the call for proposals is to increase the level of research in the targeted areas and to accelerate outcomes advancing profitability, competitiveness, sustainability and food safety of agricultural products in Alberta.

Requirements

All proposals received will be required to demonstrate the importance of the research project to Alberta’s crop and livestock producers and the broader agriculture industry. RDAR’s funding requirements include an assurance that research results will be communicated to Alberta’s producers. This includes strong knowledge translation and a transfer plan that ensures value for money for research results to help support Alberta’s agriculture and food sectors reach their full potential. 

Eligibility

Funding will be available to those incorporated organizations that directly and/or indirectly participate in the service and development of Alberta’s livestock or crop industry, provided that such organizations are in good standing and not in default under any other agreements or programs with RDAR.

Eligible applicants include but are not limited to:

1. Marketing boards and commissions established under Alberta’s Marketing of Agricultural Products Act.
2. Educational institutions including universities, colleges, and technical schools;
3. Government organizations and agencies;
4. Incorporated non-profit agricultural associations representing Alberta’s agriculture producers, and
5. For-profit companies operating in Alberta and contributing to research benefiting Alberta’s crop and livestock producers. 

Funding Availability

Individual projects are eligible to a maximum of $500,000 in funding from RDAR. Projects larger than $500,000 will require the applicant to confirm they have secured the additional funding before a grant agreement is signed with RDAR. Applicants are eligible to be reimbursed for up to 100% of the cost of the eligible expenses of the project. Applicants are encouraged to obtain other sources of financial support for the project from partners that are likely to benefit from the results of the proposed research. 

Indirect Costs

15%

Special Notes

Funding Collaboration

RDAR may share the submitted proposal with other potentially interested Alberta-based funders if approved to do so in the application process. Applicants will be asked a question during the electronic submission process that provides this approval. Applicants with intellectual property may contact the Research Director at RDAR in advance of submitting their application if they do not want their proposal shared with other funders.

COVID-19

Please note that research activities carried out in the context of COVID-19 need to adhere to the University of Guelph COVID-19 research principles, policies, guidelines and processes as they may be updated from time to time and communicated on the Office of Research web-page.