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Funding & Resources

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NDAES research is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, whose mission is to advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being and communities by supporting research, education and extension programs in the Land-Grant University System and other partner organizations.

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Hatch Projects at NDAES

The North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (NDAES) operates under the administration of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), which provides federal Hatch capacity funds to State Agricultural Experiment Stations. These funds serve as foundational resources that support the researchers within the NDAES, playing a vital role in fulfilling the station's mission. The Hatch capacity funds are dedicated to supporting research projects that address critical issues in the state's agriculture, food systems, and natural resources.

Submission details are available on the NDAES SharePoint site (login required).

Hatch Project Process

To ensure the effective utilization of the Hatch capacity funds, the NDAES is required by federal regulations to establish a robust process for conducting merit reviews of the research projects. Through these merit reviews, the scientific merit and potential impact of proposed research are carefully evaluated. This evaluation process ensures that the selected research projects align with the priorities and needs of the state, maximizing the positive outcomes for North Dakota's agricultural community.

In addition to the merit reviews, the NDAES is also responsible for conducting regular reviews of the ongoing research activities. These reviews are conducted in accordance with the established process and serve to monitor the progress and outcomes of the research projects. By conducting regular reviews, the NDAES can ensure that the research remains relevant, impactful, and is aligned with the evolving needs of the state.

The Hatch reports and annual reports generated by the NDAES serve as important tools for informing the public and policy makers about the impacts of the research conducted at the station. These reports provide valuable insights into the outcomes and contributions of the NDAES research projects, helping to highlight their significance and influence in addressing the critical challenges faced by North Dakota's agriculture, food systems, and natural resources.

Who Submits a Hatch Project?

WHO SUBMITS? Principal Investigators (PIs), who are either faculty members of the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources (CAFSNR) or Research Extension Centers (REC) scientists that have 30% or more NDAES appointments are required to have an active Hatch project. The active Hatch project can be a multi-state Hatch and/or an individual Hatch project. Participation in an eligible multi-state project may substitute for an individual Hatch project. New REC scientist and CAFSNR faculty members who have NDAES research appointments of 30% or greater should have an active Hatch project within one year of joining NDSU.

SCOPE OF HATCH RESEARCH: The objectives of the individual and multi-state Hatch projects should broadly encompass an individual’s research program (e.g., grants obtained should align with overall project objectives). If work beyond these objectives is performed (either new grants or change of interest), a new or additional project should be developed.

Multi-state Hatch Projects

Multistate/regional research is a collaborative effort between multiple states or across a region. The mission is to capitalize on the strengths of individual experiment stations by melding their strengths into cooperative and complementary research programs. North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (NDAES) faculty and staff participate in many multistate research committees; committees established to share goals and results on research of high priority among state agricultural experiment stations, the cooperative extension service, the USDA, and other research institutions and agencies.

See https://www.nimss.org/ to review active multistate projects.

Process

To become an official participant of a multistate research project committee, you should first visit with your department chair/head/director. Upon approval by your unit head, contact Erin McCall in the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station (NDAES) director's office at erin.mccall@ndsu.edu or 701-231-7656 to request participation. You will be asked to provide information that will be input to the NIMSS website. See "Appendix E instructions" below.

For participation, this data will be input by office personnel in the NDAES after approval by Dr. Frank Casey, NDAES Associate Director, or Dr. Greg Lardy, NDAES Director and Station Administrative Advisor. You will receive notification of approval by email.

Examples and Impacts

Agricultural Research Fund

North Dakota statute assigns the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education (SBARE) the responsibility of administering the Agricultural Research Fund (ARF) (Chapter 15-12.1-18 of the North Dakota Century Code). The ARF is a special fund in the state treasury derived from agricultural equipment sales. The monies in the fund must be expended for agricultural research. Annually, SBARE apportions the Agricultural Research Fund: 70% to research activities affecting North Dakota agricultural commodities (those that account for at least two percent of the gross sales of all agricultural commodities grown or produced in the state, but the percentage allocated to each commodity cannot exceed the percentage that the gross sales of the commodity contribute to the total of gross sales of all agricultural commodities grown or produced the previous year); 18% to research activities affecting animal agriculture; and 12% to research activities affecting new and emerging crops. SBARE solicits research proposals and appoints committees to review the proposals and award grants competitively.

Intent of the ARF

For the ARF, the SBARE shall solicit proposals that support agricultural research projects that:

have a positive economic impact for producers of crops and livestock in North Dakota;
improve the quantity and/or quality of agricultural commodities;
lead to efficiencies in, or sustainability of agricultural productivity;
are submitted by individuals, groups, or institutions from either the public or the private sector;
are selected through a competitive process that includes review of written proposals;
include funding from other sources, public or private; and
include a framework for timely progress toward stated objectives.

For more information visit the SBARE Agricultural Research Fund page.

Funding & Resources

Hatch Projects at NDAES

Agricultural Research Fund

Intent of the ARF

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