Criterion Provided as Guidelines

The following criterion are provided as guidelines for the ARF GRCs in selecting a grant for funding:

• Importance of the Problem to the Commodity/State - in non-technical terms, the proposal must summarize the importance of the subject to the commodity or to the people of the state. For new or potential agricultural problems, the researcher should provide a best estimate of importance. For studies that are more fundamental, researchers must describe how the research relates to an ARF topic.
• Impact of the Proposed Outcome - Proposals will be given preference that demonstrate economic impact to North Dakota. Each proposal is expected to state impact of the results in terms of economic gains. For fundamental studies, the proposal can include value of the information gained to subsequent studies.
• Innovation by Generating New Information - Judgments will be made on how well the project generates new information. New information includes descriptions of better agricultural stocks, better methods, improved agricultural choices, and improved monitoring, testing, or predictive systems. ARF funding should not be used for routine testing or repeats of tests that have well known or highly predictable results. A literature review is required to demonstrate the relative innovativeness in each research application.
• Feasibility - Critical to the success of this program is the scientific and technical feasibility of any research, as well as the qualifications of the project's principals. Components of feasibility include: the degree to which the proposed research can be achieved with the facilities and resources available; the adequacy of scientific methods to produce results that are understandable and reliable; the degree to which the research leaders' education, training, experience, and other qualifications apply to the proposed project; and the probability of completing the project in the proposed timeframe.
• Matching Funds - Matching funds are not required for animal or new/emerging crop proposals and should not be included in the proposal (SBARE Minutes December 15-16, 1997; amended February 9, 1998). For commodity proposals, priority will be given to projects that demonstrate a commitment for funding from other sources, from the applicant, or from other private or public sources. Matching funds may be in the form of cash, in-kind services, and/or fair market value of equipment, land or other resource. For major crops proposals, matching funds need to be clearly identified as specific to the ARF-funded project. Previously committed funds cannot be used as an after-the-fact match. Existing salaries and fringe benefits and indirect costs are not allowable as match. SBARE requires a minimum of 25% match for projects led by individuals in North Dakota, and a 1:1 match for projects led by individuals outside North Dakota (SBARE Minutes February 9, 1998)
• Degree to Which Research Conducted in Other States or Through Regional or Collaborative/Cooperative Efforts is Applicable to Problem Solutions in North Dakota - Certain types of research can be best conducted by individuals outside of North Dakota. Proposals from out-of-state individuals or agencies are eligible for ARF funding provided that the project includes a North Dakota collaborator approved by the SBARE or its chair. In regional, collaborative or cooperative studies, the roles and responsibilities of each of the individuals/agencies must be clearly defined.