The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development offers this grant opportunity to provide for research projects, to develop and improve training programs, and to develop outreach materials for the purposes of safeguarding plants and plant products from unwanted plant pests.
Donor Name: Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD)
State: Michigan
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 11/22/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The Michigan Legislature created the Horticulture Fund within the state treasury on October 31, 2003, through a revision to The Insect Pests and Plant Diseases Act, Act 189 of 1931, as revised. Up to $70,000 of funds will be generated each year through increases in nursery license fees. For FY’25 there will be approximately $60,000 to be awarded. The fund was created with the following mission: “to provide for research projects, to develop and improve training programs, and to develop outreach materials for the purposes of safeguarding plants and plant products from unwanted plant pests.”
Program Areas
- Applied Research
- Proposals must focus on priorities identified by plant commodities and other commodity partners. Crop management systems that enhance industry profitability while being environmentally and socially responsible, and provide long-term benefits to Michigan’s nursery and ornamental horticulture industry are appropriate for this program area. Proposals that address priorities of more than one commodity will be favored. Proposals must contain a plan to disseminate information to industry.
- Basic Research
- A portion of the Horticulture Fund awards will be used to support basic research to generate knowledge that can be used to address contemporary problems and/or enable the future development and implementation of improved techniques or processes. Linkage to plant commodity priorities is important. Proposals that position investigators to be competitive for national/international grants will be favored. Proposals should include a vision and plans for the improvement of the performance of Michigan nursery and horticultural plants and how the results will be disseminated to the plant industry. Greater priority will be given to Applied Research than to Basic Research.
- Outreach/Training/Demonstration
- Proposals for outreach, training, and demonstration activities focused on assisting Michigan’s nursery and ornamental horticultural industries, will be considered in this program area. Proposals must address plant commodity priorities. Programs may have a regional or statewide orientation. Projects that utilize a team of state, university, and field-based personnel are encouraged.
Funding Information
This is a competitive grant program. Horticulture Fund grants will be awarded up to a maximum annual amount of $20,000 per approved proposal.
Grant Period
June 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
All faculty and staff members of universities and colleges in Michigan are eligible to receive funding, as well as teams of university/college investigators and private individuals. University or college personnel must be the Principal Investigator of the proposal.
For more information, visit MDARD.
