We are dedicated to identifying and promoting opportunities for corn growers while enhancing quality of life.
To foster innovative solutions to some of the greatest challenges facing Minnesota production agriculture, the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council (MCR&PC) and the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) have allocated Innovation Grant funding.
The funding is designated to aid farmers (or research faculty in a Level 4 funding request: see criteria below) to test or prove an innovative practice on their farm to solve a specific challenge. MCR&PC and MCGA are accepting proposals from farmers and students who would like to test or prove their ideas through a field scale project on their corn production farm. Post-secondary research faculty with an innovative idea that matches the project may submit a Level 4 proposal utilizing the criteria listed below.
Purpose of the grants and who may apply
These grants will engage the ingenuity of Minnesota corn farmers; students engaged in FFA or 4-H programs; or students pursuing post-secondary education in an agricultural related field. Students submitting a proposal must be engaged in a family agricultural operation or in collaboration with an active farmer engaged in production agriculture to serve as co-principal investigator. Proposals should engage in solving questions related to new uses, production agriculture, and environmental stewardship. Please see priorities below.
Projects must be applied for and conducted by an active Minnesota corn farmer subject to the Minnesota corn check-off (for Levels 1, 2 or 3) but may include student collaborators or family members working with that farmer. University research faculty (for a Level 4 funding request: see criteria below) may also apply for these grants.
PROJECT PRIORITIES
This request for proposals has a specific focus of investigating innovations as well as replicated trial research with specific intent including:
1) New uses that advance corn and/or co-product conversion to value-added products (i.e. green chemicals, fuels, nutrient sources, oil, acids, range of fatty acids composition, feed sources, etc.), OR,
2) Improved nutrient use efficiency of corn production. Improved management should investigate improved use efficiency of macronutrients including Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium as well as Sulphur. Emphasis within investigations that also reduce nutrient loss to ground and/or surface waters is strongly encouraged. This may include rain fed or irrigated corn production. Projects are encouraged to include strategic management approaches of monitoring drainage tile flow, where applicable, for nutrient loss under the proposed practice(s), OR,
3) Comparative tillage innovations that investigate the role of tillage in production practices that reduce soil erosion improve soil and plant health and result in improved ground and/or surface water quality associated with the farm operation. OR,
4) Economic and management innovations that investigate ideas which may result in increased profitability of corn production and may include but are not limited to accounting, record management, software tools to improve management, marketing, resource efficiency etc., supply procurement and grain utilization and marketing. Proposals should not be in conflict with other goals and priorities listed within this RFP. OR,
5) Production practices that enhance water and air quality or improve biodiversity. Innovations which investigate additional practices which are not included in the above priorities with specific proposed outcomes to maintain profitable corn production while simultaneously preserving or improving ground and surface water quality likewise air quality or improve biodiversity.
Previously funded projects are listed by year at mncorn.org/research/innovation-grants. Preference will be given to novel proposals that are not replications of previously funded projects.
One of the biggest challenges of implementing new ideas is having an accurate estimate of what they cost to execute. In order to discover and promote innovations that may benefit other corn farmers, providing accurate information on costs to a farmer who might implement the new practice will be expected as part of proposal and in the final reporting of each Innovation Grant.
FIELD DAY OPTION
Level 1: Past and/or current Innovation Grant recipients may be solicited by Minnesota Corn to host a field day showcasing their innovation grant project to local area farmers, local and state level governmental leadership, local business leadership and other influencers. This will be a Minnesota Corn singular event solicited and scheduled through Minnesota Corn staff. The field day will be coordinated with the host farm and must occur between April 1st and November 15th, 2023. Minnesota Corn staff will assist with coordination, advertisement, planning, set-up, and costs to support a farmer-hosted “Innovation Field Day” event.
PROPOSAL OPTIONS
Level 2: Up to $7,000 (per year) grant toward development of a farmer lead innovative concept or best practice idea within a corn production system. Funding may be used to develop or modify equipment to test a novel practice. Project funding is not intended to retroactively support an already funded project or accepted farming practice at the proposed location unless it is a continuation of a previously awarded Minnesota Corn Innovation Grant. Projects should be applied to no less than 20 acres of corn production to test the innovative concept with comparison to normal production practice. A submitted proposal should involve one growing season with potential for evaluation to justify renewal of the grant each year for up to three years total. Collaboration with at least one representative from a SWCD, NRCS, university and/or other agency personnel is expected. Priority consideration will be given to replicated trials with a statistical design and analysis methodology.
Level 3: Up to $30,000 (per year) grant to test a farmer led innovative practice in replicated farm scale trials. Collaboration with a qualified individual(s) [private, agency, university, etc.] to develop a sound farm trial experimental design is expected as part of the proposal however funding is not meant to be a supplement for a non-MCR&PC project. The proposal must include a statistical design as well as plans for data collection and statistical analysis. Level 3 projects are expected to comprise replicated farm scale trials with publishable results that have the potential as proof of concept research toward broad adoption of a technique or practice focused on priorities listed in this RFP. Equipment purchase is limited to no more than 10% per year of the award and must be for the purpose of the research. Proposals should involve three growing years to capture treatments in multiple environments as part of the design. Site visits and progress reporting in line with the proposed work plan are the basis for annual evaluation and renewal of the project grant.
Level 4: Up to $15,000 (one year), grant for post-secondary research faculty to test an innovative or novel scientific approach or develop preliminary data to leverage greater funding concerning one of the priorities identified above. Funding is not intended to be used for new equipment, salary or to supplement ongoing research but to facilitate investigation of novel ideas similar to Level 2 funding for farmers. A farmer partner is required in order to apply.
PROPOSAL CONTENT
These instructions are intended to give the applicant guidelines for the proposal format as well as expectations for reporting information gained as a result of the project (see Conditions of Funding Acceptance below). The instructions are intended to ensure submission of a complete proposal with high potential for successful completion.
Level 1 project funding and proposed field days will be directed by MCR&PC. Funding for Level 2, 3 or 4 projects will be available from April 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024. For each proposal, objectives and goals must be identified that can be completed in the designated duration of the grant.
The online proposal application form includes the following required information:
- Include a synopsis (≤ 500 words) of what you hope to investigate/research/demonstrate with the grant. If the project is funded, this synopsis will be used in Minnesota Corn print and online outreach efforts.
- Identify the Level of the proposed project matching one of the Proposal Options.
- Identify each collaborator(s) [SWCD, NRCS, university, or other agency] for the proposal and the level of involvement. Note: At least one person from any of these entities is required as a collaborator for Level 2 or 3 grants. List each collaborator, their work affiliation and area of expertise, and how they will contribute to the project. Level 4 funding has no collaborator requirement.
- Identify all other external sources of funding associated with the project whether past, current, or applied for. Note: Failure to disclose all collaborators and external sources of funding may negate the terms of a grant award.
- Within the body of the proposal, provide a work plan of the project including objectives and how they will be accomplished (the methods used) during the funding cycle. Replicated trials must include a description of the statistical design and analysis protocols expected to be utilized. All proposals should include a description of how costs will be tabulated to estimate actual cost of implementation of the innovation or practice on a per acre basis.
- Identify the deliverables – what you hope to demonstrate at completion of the project.
- Include a general itemized budget section with the proposal including but not limited to: supplies and materials, equipment, laboratory analysis, consulting expense, or other costs. Budgets should cover the cost of conducting the research only. Compensation for yield loss or any other proposed financial losses incurred by the participating farm or farmer as part of conducting this research should not be part of the proposed budget and will not be considered as part of funding. Any equipment or components to be purchased using these funds must be identified in the initial proposal and budget.
Note: Sections 4 and 5 above may not be applicable for Level 4 proposals.
PROPOSAL DELIVERY AND DEADLINE
Proposals must be submitted online no later than 3:00 p.m., Central Standard Time, January 6, 2023. Call or email Maciej Kazula, Research Director, with questions concerning this RFP: 952-460-3601; mkazula@mncorn.org.
PROPOSAL EVALUATION
Members of the Minnesota Corn Discovery & Development Focus Team will evaluate each proposal based on the following criteria:
- Relevance of the project to the priorities and fit to the expectations indicated in this RFP
- Soundness of proposed work and experimental design where appropriate
- Proposal ingenuity to provide possible solutions to the RFP priorities
- Proficiencies of lead farmer(s) and collaborator(s)
- Probability of successful completion and potential to be of value to MN corn farmers
Successful and non-successful applicants will be notified by March 1, 2023.
CONDITIONS OF FUNDING ACCEPTANCE
- The body of the proposal must include a synopsis (≤ 500 words); the work plan including objective(s), methods proposed, statistical design (if appropriate), deliverables at the close of the project, and the proposed budget of the funding requested.
- The lead farmer/researcher on each successful proposal for 2023 will also be expected to provide one-page quarterly progress updates on or before June 1st, 2023, September 1st, 2023 and December 15th, 2023 and an additional final report will be due on or before January 31st, 2024 for Level 2, 3 and 4 projects.
- The lead farmer/researcher agrees to participate, if requested, in interviews conducted by either Minnesota Corn communications staff or other media or as part of a panel at an agricultural event to discuss successes and/or challenges that occurred during the project.
- The lead farmer/researcher agrees to provide a summary paragraph (abstract ~ 250 words) included with the final report upon completion of the research. The abstract and final report are due with the final invoice.
RFP for 2023 Innovation Grant Program
We are dedicated to identifying and promoting opportunities for corn growers while enhancing quality of life.
To foster innovative solutions to some of the greatest challenges facing Minnesota production agriculture, the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council (MCR&PC) and the Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) have allocated Innovation Grant funding.
The funding is designated to aid farmers (or research faculty in a Level 4 funding request: see criteria below) to test or prove an innovative practice on their farm to solve a specific challenge. MCR&PC and MCGA are accepting proposals from farmers and students who would like to test or prove their ideas through a field scale project on their corn production farm. Post-secondary research faculty with an innovative idea that matches the project may submit a Level 4 proposal utilizing the criteria listed below.
Purpose of the grants and who may apply
These grants will engage the ingenuity of Minnesota corn farmers; students engaged in FFA or 4-H programs; or students pursuing post-secondary education in an agricultural related field. Students submitting a proposal must be engaged in a family agricultural operation or in collaboration with an active farmer engaged in production agriculture to serve as co-principal investigator. Proposals should engage in solving questions related to new uses, production agriculture, and environmental stewardship. Please see priorities below.
Projects must be applied for and conducted by an active Minnesota corn farmer subject to the Minnesota corn check-off (for Levels 1, 2 or 3) but may include student collaborators or family members working with that farmer. University research faculty (for a Level 4 funding request: see criteria below) may also apply for these grants.
PROJECT PRIORITIES
This request for proposals has a specific focus of investigating innovations as well as replicated trial research with specific intent including:
1) New uses that advance corn and/or co-product conversion to value-added products (i.e. green chemicals, fuels, nutrient sources, oil, acids, range of fatty acids composition, feed sources, etc.), OR,
2) Improved nutrient use efficiency of corn production. Improved management should investigate improved use efficiency of macronutrients including Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium as well as Sulphur. Emphasis within investigations that also reduce nutrient loss to ground and/or surface waters is strongly encouraged. This may include rain fed or irrigated corn production. Projects are encouraged to include strategic management approaches of monitoring drainage tile flow, where applicable, for nutrient loss under the proposed practice(s), OR,
3) Comparative tillage innovations that investigate the role of tillage in production practices that reduce soil erosion improve soil and plant health and result in improved ground and/or surface water quality associated with the farm operation. OR,
4) Economic and management innovations that investigate ideas which may result in increased profitability of corn production and may include but are not limited to accounting, record management, software tools to improve management, marketing, resource efficiency etc., supply procurement and grain utilization and marketing. Proposals should not be in conflict with other goals and priorities listed within this RFP. OR,
5) Production practices that enhance water and air quality or improve biodiversity. Innovations which investigate additional practices which are not included in the above priorities with specific proposed outcomes to maintain profitable corn production while simultaneously preserving or improving ground and surface water quality likewise air quality or improve biodiversity.
Previously funded projects are listed by year at mncorn.org/research/innovation-grants. Preference will be given to novel proposals that are not replications of previously funded projects.
One of the biggest challenges of implementing new ideas is having an accurate estimate of what they cost to execute. In order to discover and promote innovations that may benefit other corn farmers, providing accurate information on costs to a farmer who might implement the new practice will be expected as part of proposal and in the final reporting of each Innovation Grant.
FIELD DAY OPTION
Level 1: Past and/or current Innovation Grant recipients may be solicited by Minnesota Corn to host a field day showcasing their innovation grant project to local area farmers, local and state level governmental leadership, local business leadership and other influencers. This will be a Minnesota Corn singular event solicited and scheduled through Minnesota Corn staff. The field day will be coordinated with the host farm and must occur between April 1st and November 15th, 2023. Minnesota Corn staff will assist with coordination, advertisement, planning, set-up, and costs to support a farmer-hosted “Innovation Field Day” event.
PROPOSAL OPTIONS
Level 2: Up to $7,000 (per year) grant toward development of a farmer lead innovative concept or best practice idea within a corn production system. Funding may be used to develop or modify equipment to test a novel practice. Project funding is not intended to retroactively support an already funded project or accepted farming practice at the proposed location unless it is a continuation of a previously awarded Minnesota Corn Innovation Grant. Projects should be applied to no less than 20 acres of corn production to test the innovative concept with comparison to normal production practice. A submitted proposal should involve one growing season with potential for evaluation to justify renewal of the grant each year for up to three years total. Collaboration with at least one representative from a SWCD, NRCS, university and/or other agency personnel is expected. Priority consideration will be given to replicated trials with a statistical design and analysis methodology.
Level 3: Up to $30,000 (per year) grant to test a farmer led innovative practice in replicated farm scale trials. Collaboration with a qualified individual(s) [private, agency, university, etc.] to develop a sound farm trial experimental design is expected as part of the proposal however funding is not meant to be a supplement for a non-MCR&PC project. The proposal must include a statistical design as well as plans for data collection and statistical analysis. Level 3 projects are expected to comprise replicated farm scale trials with publishable results that have the potential as proof of concept research toward broad adoption of a technique or practice focused on priorities listed in this RFP. Equipment purchase is limited to no more than 10% per year of the award and must be for the purpose of the research. Proposals should involve three growing years to capture treatments in multiple environments as part of the design. Site visits and progress reporting in line with the proposed work plan are the basis for annual evaluation and renewal of the project grant.
Level 4: Up to $15,000 (one year), grant for post-secondary research faculty to test an innovative or novel scientific approach or develop preliminary data to leverage greater funding concerning one of the priorities identified above. Funding is not intended to be used for new equipment, salary or to supplement ongoing research but to facilitate investigation of novel ideas similar to Level 2 funding for farmers. A farmer partner is required in order to apply.
PROPOSAL CONTENT
These instructions are intended to give the applicant guidelines for the proposal format as well as expectations for reporting information gained as a result of the project (see Conditions of Funding Acceptance below). The instructions are intended to ensure submission of a complete proposal with high potential for successful completion.
Level 1 project funding and proposed field days will be directed by MCR&PC. Funding for Level 2, 3 or 4 projects will be available from April 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024. For each proposal, objectives and goals must be identified that can be completed in the designated duration of the grant.
The online proposal application form includes the following required information:
- Include a synopsis (≤ 500 words) of what you hope to investigate/research/demonstrate with the grant. If the project is funded, this synopsis will be used in Minnesota Corn print and online outreach efforts.
- Identify the Level of the proposed project matching one of the Proposal Options.
- Identify each collaborator(s) [SWCD, NRCS, university, or other agency] for the proposal and the level of involvement. Note: At least one person from any of these entities is required as a collaborator for Level 2 or 3 grants. List each collaborator, their work affiliation and area of expertise, and how they will contribute to the project. Level 4 funding has no collaborator requirement.
- Identify all other external sources of funding associated with the project whether past, current, or applied for. Note: Failure to disclose all collaborators and external sources of funding may negate the terms of a grant award.
- Within the body of the proposal, provide a work plan of the project including objectives and how they will be accomplished (the methods used) during the funding cycle. Replicated trials must include a description of the statistical design and analysis protocols expected to be utilized. All proposals should include a description of how costs will be tabulated to estimate actual cost of implementation of the innovation or practice on a per acre basis.
- Identify the deliverables – what you hope to demonstrate at completion of the project.
- Include a general itemized budget section with the proposal including but not limited to: supplies and materials, equipment, laboratory analysis, consulting expense, or other costs. Budgets should cover the cost of conducting the research only. Compensation for yield loss or any other proposed financial losses incurred by the participating farm or farmer as part of conducting this research should not be part of the proposed budget and will not be considered as part of funding. Any equipment or components to be purchased using these funds must be identified in the initial proposal and budget.
Note: Sections 4 and 5 above may not be applicable for Level 4 proposals.
PROPOSAL DELIVERY AND DEADLINE
Proposals must be submitted online no later than 3:00 p.m., Central Standard Time, January 6, 2023. Call or email Maciej Kazula, Research Director, with questions concerning this RFP: 952-460-3601; mkazula@mncorn.org.
PROPOSAL EVALUATION
Members of the Minnesota Corn Discovery & Development Focus Team will evaluate each proposal based on the following criteria:
- Relevance of the project to the priorities and fit to the expectations indicated in this RFP
- Soundness of proposed work and experimental design where appropriate
- Proposal ingenuity to provide possible solutions to the RFP priorities
- Proficiencies of lead farmer(s) and collaborator(s)
- Probability of successful completion and potential to be of value to MN corn farmers
Successful and non-successful applicants will be notified by March 1, 2023.
CONDITIONS OF FUNDING ACCEPTANCE
- The body of the proposal must include a synopsis (≤ 500 words); the work plan including objective(s), methods proposed, statistical design (if appropriate), deliverables at the close of the project, and the proposed budget of the funding requested.
- The lead farmer/researcher on each successful proposal for 2023 will also be expected to provide one-page quarterly progress updates on or before June 1st, 2023, September 1st, 2023 and December 15th, 2023 and an additional final report will be due on or before January 31st, 2024 for Level 2, 3 and 4 projects.
- The lead farmer/researcher agrees to participate, if requested, in interviews conducted by either Minnesota Corn communications staff or other media or as part of a panel at an agricultural event to discuss successes and/or challenges that occurred during the project.
- The lead farmer/researcher agrees to provide a summary paragraph (abstract ~ 250 words) included with the final report upon completion of the research. The abstract and final report are due with the final invoice.