Call for Pre-Proposals

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The Kansas Wheat Commission (KWC), Kansas Wheat Alliance (KWA) and Kansas Crop Improvement Association (KCIA) are now seeking research proposals for FY 2016 (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016).  This initial request is for preliminary 2-page letters of intent that are due by November 26, 2014.  These 2-page documents will be reviewed by committee with invitations for full proposals announced by December 19, 2014.  Full proposals will be submitted through Grants and Contracts according to a deadline set by that office. On February 17-18, 2015, proposal PIs will be invited to give a brief presentation to a joint KWC, KWA, KCIA and KSU research review committee in Manhattan.  Final award announcements will be made in April 2015.

Following are specific areas of research focus/interest for each organization.  These lists are not all-inclusive.

Kansas Wheat Commission

The following research goals of KWC should be taken into consideration when submitting proposals.

  • Focus research by selecting research initiatives that support the industry’s ability to gain and sustain market share profitably in both domestic and international markets.
  • Educate Kansas wheat producers to adopt technologies that are shown by research and development to be profitable.
  • Cooperate with the wheat supply chain to adopt and implement technologies and innovations that support the profitability of Kansas wheat producers.

New Variety Development

  • Improvement of HRW and HW wheat varieties for Kansas.
  • Improved insect and disease resistance.
  • Wheat varieties with increased human health benefit.
  • Quality screening of new wheat varieties.
  • Use of wheat doubled haploids for rapid trait discovery and variety development.
  • Develop wheat varieties that are consumable by people with gluten sensitivity (Celiac disease).

Production

  • Insect and disease monitoring and development of new management tools.           
  • Stored grain management tools.
  • Best management practices to maximize yields and profit.
  • Mobile technology apps for wheat farmers.
  • Remote sensing technology.
  • Sustainability.

Trait Discovery and Biotechnology

  • Tools, technologies and methods to sequence the wheat genome.
  • Identify traits that could be introduced into wheat that would encourage consumer acceptance of biotech wheat.
  • Yield enhancing and adaptability traits (heat tolerance, drought resistant, nitrogen-use efficiency, insect resistance, disease resistance).
  • Identify proteins that lead to gluten intolerance (Celiac disease).

Testing Methods and Procedures

  • Efficient and rapid market applicable test for identifying and predicting end-use quality of HW and HRW.  Available to growers and grain trade for identifying and capturing value. 

Value-Added Uses

  • Non-food or feed uses for wheat that return value directly to the farmer and have potential mass-market appeal.
  • Identity preserved niche varieties for contract production.

Consumer Preferences

  • Benefits of whole grains and healthful components of wheat in the diet.
  • New uses of wheat.
  • HRW wheat for Asian-style and instant noodles.

Kansas Wheat Alliance

These KWA funding priorities should be considered when submitting proposals:

  • Research which will result in the release of new wheat varieties adapted to Kansas that are superior to other commercially available varieties
  • Research which improves the understanding of these wheat yield concerns: heat tolerance; drought tolerance; Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus; Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus
  • Research resulting in the increased utilization of wheat as a crop in Kansas
  • Research which provides improved understanding of the factors influencing the wheat seed selection and purchasing decisions of Kansas farmers
  • Research which provides improved understanding of the wheat seed market
  • Research projects or equipment purchases which will improve the efficiency, reduce the time requirement or mitigate other obstacles in the rapid development and release of improved wheat varieties
  • Research which could result in patentable intellectual property that could be utilized to improve the production or performance of wheat varieties

Kansas Crop Improvement Association

Funding grants typically are in range of $2,500 to $10,000 per year.  The Committee will consider proposals for multi-year projects.  Other crops may be considered.  Currently funded, multi-year projects receive first consideration.  Currently-funded projects with additional years on original proposals need only write a letter specifying any changes to the original proposal, or that the research is to continue as originally conceived, and a written progress report.

Priorities established by the KCIA Research Support Committee are:

  • Concern and opportunities with the advent of biotech wheat.
  • Improved management practices for improved seed production and seed quality.
  • Factors that influence seed selection and purchasing decisions of farmers.
  • Varietal development.
  • Risks and benefits of certified seed in various identity-preserved grain production systems.
  • Evaluation of characteristics of specific varieties for potential end-use value and marketing.
  • Other projects that may be of interest to the association.

Collaborations Are Encouraged!

Collaborative research projects between departments within universities or between universities and industry are strongly encouraged. For the purpose of letters of intent, collaborations should identify a team leader to submit the letter.  Initial budget estimates are not expected to be firm, but approximate as closely as possible.  Detailed budgets will be requested in full proposals. Long-term proposals are welcome, but keep in mind that most projects are funded on a year-by-year basis.

Letters of intent should include:  Title, Estimated Total Project Cost (without detailed budget), Project Status (new or continuing), Principal Investigators (contact information – including e-mail addresses), Introduction, Objectives, Project Location and Duration, Other Funding Received For Project (include other potential funding sources), Research Cooperators, Expected Outcomes.  Proposals not meeting these requirements will be rejected. 

Letters of intent should be e-mailed to aharries@kswheat.com in Word or pdf format no later than November 26, 2014.

Proposals are evaluated and prioritized by committee based on relevance to KWC, KWA and KCIA goals and funds available. 

If you have any questions or would like to meet with us to further discuss these research areas, please do not hesitate to contact Aaron Harries (KWC) at 785-539-0255, Daryl Strouts (KWA) 785-477-3400, Steve Schuler (KCIA) 785-532-6118. 

 

Sincerely,

Aaron W. Harries                           Daryl Strouts                                        Steve Schuler

VP, Research and Operations           President                                              Executive Director

Kansas Wheat Commission              Kansas Wheat Alliance                      KS Crop Improvement Assn.