Three of Northeast SARE's grant programs are now accepting preproposals. As part of Northeast SARE’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice Strategic Plan, we will be examining our grant programs and procedures and may make structural changes to our grantmaking systems. To accommodate that work, these grant programs may not call for preproposals in 2023.
Research and Education Grants
Typical projects range from $30,000 to $250,000
Research and Education Grants fund projects that result in gains in farmer knowledge, awareness, skills and attitudes that are then applied to make measurable on-farm changes leading to greater sustainability.
Research for Novel Approaches Grants
Typical projects range from $30,000 to $200,000
Research for Novel Approaches Grants fund “proof of concept” projects intended to confirm the benefit and/or feasibility of new practices and approaches that have high potential for adoption by farmers.
These practices and approaches may be related to production, marketing, business management, human resource management and other social issues, or other topics related to sustainable agriculture. By “proof of concept,” we mean that evidence from prior experiments or pilot projects strongly suggest a practice or approach is beneficial and feasible, but additional testing, data and refinement is needed before recommending farmer adoption.
Professional Development Grants
Typical projects range from $30,000 to $150,000
Professional Development Grants fund train-the-trainer projects that develop the knowledge, awareness, skills and attitudes among the full range of service providers who work with farmers, including agricultural professionals who teach, advise and assist farmers about sustainable agriculture practices and strategies as well as non-agricultural service providers (e.g., attorneys, lenders, etc.) that work with farmers. These service providers then use the knowledge, awareness, skills and attitudes they gain in their work with farmers.