Green-Blue Grants Program Clean Water through Residential IPM

Request for applications
Sponsored by the Northeastern IPM Center
Released August 2007

Purpose
To educate residents of the Northeast about integrated pest management (IPM) in residential structures and landscapes, and how using IPM can affect water quality.

The Northeastern IPM Center is launching the Green-Blue Grants Program to promote clean water through residential IPM. The goal of this program is to raise the level of education among residents in the region through workshops, promotional materials, and other methods. This program will help to strengthen the communication networks in the Northeast and residents’ ability to implement IPM.

Who may apply
This program is open to nongovernmental agencies, Cooperative Extension educators or county agents, land grant faculty and staff, eligible government staff, and private citizens who will be in contact with receptive audiences. The applicant must provide unbiased, research-based information and be a resident of a northeastern state (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia) or the District of Columbia. Members of the Community IPM Working Group (a project of the Northeastern IPM Center) may apply if they are collaborating with individuals or coalitions outside of their working group.

Successful applicants will have

• an interest in IPM-related subjects and some familiarity with the Green-Blue Summit: Clean Water through Residential IPM (see northeastipm.org/greenbluesummit.cfm);
• a demonstrated ability to present the information they gain to an audience in their region; and
• involvement with educational venues, media outlets, or other distribution sources.

Available funding
The maximum amount of money awarded will be $2,500 per applicant, delivered by direct payment of invoices from vendors. Educational programs, printing, and distribution of materials must take place before April 30, 2008. Total funds available for this grants program: approximately $10,000.

What can be funded
All projects should further the ideas articulated by the July 18-19, 2007 Green-Blue Summit: Clean Water through Residential Integrated Pest Management. (These ideas are posted at northeastipm.org/greenblue/project_ideas.htm) For example, you may seek payment for qualified expenses to run workshops or distribute educational and promotional materials that will help residents in the Northeast to practice integrated pest management and improve water quality. Reaching new audiences with IPM information is encouraged.

Funds will come directly from the Northeastern IPM Center to cover the cost of workshops, consultant fees, travel (up to $300 per person), training expenses, or the purchase, printing, posting, and distribution of educational materials.

Reporting
Recipients will be required to share what they accomplished with the project by submitting a two-page summary to the Community IPM Working Group that includes the number of people exposed to the new information and other impacts. This report will be due by June 30, 2008.

How to apply
Application format (length: one to two pages; single-spaced, 12-point font; one-inch margins):

1. Contact information: your name, title, name of your organization, address, email, and phone number.
2. Project title, objective and rationale: ways in which you will share IPM information and why it is important to educate about IPM and water quality in your region.
3. How your objective and rational fit with the IPM and water quality ideas of the Green-Blue Summit of July 2007, posted at northeastipm.org/greenblue/project_ideas.htm.
4. Your evaluation plan: state how will you know when and if you have achieved your objectives.
5. A simple budget and budget narrative explaining the requested funds and their purpose (be explicit). Maximum request: $2,500. Travel expenses of up to $300 per person are allowable and will be reimbursed based on receipts. Otherwise, monies must be used for business expenses that can be invoiced, not for salaries. If you know the name of the business that will provide the requested service, or if you have a quotation from that business, please attach it to your proposal. No indirect costs (F & A) are allowed on these funds.
6. List of any in-kind or matching funds (not required).

Submit your application electronically, by Friday, September 7, 2007, 5:00 p.m., to

Carrie Koplinka-Loehr, (607-255-8879); and to
John Ayers, (814-865-7776)

Timetable and review process
You will receive timely confirmation that we have received your application and an answer to your proposal by October 12, 2007. If an insufficient number of qualified proposals are received, or if monies remain unspent, the Center reserves the right to reopen this RFA to seek additional proposals.

Sponsored by the Cooperative State Research, Extension, and Education Service This site is developed and managed by the Northeastern IPM Center Have feedback? Contact us.