Northeast SARE Outcome Funding and Grant Writing Workshop Tom Morris & Janet McAllister Delaware State University May 25, 2011 nesare.org 1

Northeast SARE uses the Outcome Funding Approach for Research and Education Grants Professional Development Grants 2

Research and Education Grants For: University and extension staff, agricultural nonprofits, scientists & educators in applied research and education of farmers Typical awards: $30,000-$190,000 Content: Projects should lead to adoption of practices by farmers that help them meet Northeast SARE’s outcome statement Requirements: Projects must have an education component; pre- proposal required. 2011: $950,095 awarded for 8 Research and Education projects 3

Professional Development Grants For: Extension, NRCS, agricultural nonprofits, university and experiment station faculty and staff Typical awards: $30,000-$120,000 Content: Train the trainer programs in sustainable practices and technologies, education strategies Requirements: Must educate extension and other ag service providers (NRCS, non-profits, FSA, consultants); preproposal required 2011: $331,095 awarded for four Professional Development projects 4

Northeast SARE Uses Outcome Funding for R&E and PDP Grants Outcome Funding is : A system for assuring measurable results… …for both the grantor and grantee! Focus is on a ‘positive change’ as the end result for participants, not well-intentioned activities. 5

Key Components and Terminology Beneficiaries – the target audience who participates, learns, makes beneficial change; FARMERS for R&E, AG SERVICE PROVIDERS for PDP Performance target – project’s “outcome” statement; describes change and benefits Milestones – interim steps of learning, skill building, preparation for beneficiaries Key individuals – lead, guide, contribute to project Verification – finding out how much beneficiaries learned during milestones and accomplished at end of project (verifying the performance target) 6

Northeast SARE’s OUTCOME STATEMENT Agriculture in the Northeast will be diversified and profitable, providing healthful products to its customers; it will be conducted by farmers who manage resources wisely, who are satisfied with their lifestyles, and have a positive influence on their communities and the environment. Performance targets in all projects must contribute to this overall outcome…which is Northeast SARE’s ‘vision’ for Northeast Ag 7

Northeast SARE Grant Proposal To meet requirements of Outcome Funding, key project design requirements: Engagement of project beneficiaries, who participate in the project and accomplish specific, essential milestones in learning and skill development that prepare them to take specific beneficial actions described in the performance target Verification of beneficiary progress in achieving milestones and accomplishing target outcomes Key individuals who will make the project successful. 8

Writing the Proposal Whatever tool you use – there are some key ingredients needed… 9

Helpful Hint 1 You are a salesperson when writing a proposal. Imagine you are selling your idea to your supervisor, who will be a stand-in for the people we refer to as “THE REVIEWERS”. Think of how you would convince your peers/supervisor you have a good idea, know how to implement the idea, and will obtain good results from the idea. Reviewers, like your supervisor, are born skeptics! 10

Helpful Hint 2 Don’t assume reviewers know everything you know about your area of work and proposed project Don’t make them wonder or question why your project idea is important and who will benefit Back up claims you make with explanation and data that is sufficient to convince someone with knowledge, but not necessarily expertise, in the your topic area Reviewers are kind to authors who lead them logically down an easy path! 11

Questions? 12