Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to your questions. If you have others, please contact us at (435) 797-2257 or wsare@ext.usu.edu:

What are the differences among the grant programs?

Western SARE offers grants in these categories:

• Research & Education (Range of $20,000 to $200,000 with 5 producers)
• Producer (Farmer/Rancher) (Up to $15,000 for 1 producer and up to $25,000 for 3 or more producers)
• Professional + Producer (Up to $50,000 with 5 producers)
• Professional Development
• Graduate Student (Up to $25,000)

Research & Education Grants

Applicants for these grants, also known as Chapter 1 or R&E, typically are scientists affiliated with universities or nonprofit organizations or agencies that support agriculture. Grants range in size from $20,000 to $200,000 or more. The grants run from one to three years. An interdisciplinary "system" is encouraged, and projects must involve producers as participants and/or consultants. Applicants submit pre-proposals on-line. Following the scrutiny of a technical review, the applicants submitting the best pre-proposals are asked to submit full proposals. These are reviewed again by the Western SARE Administrative Council, aided by staff and highly skilled and knowledgeable subject matter experts. Grants awards are announced early the next spring.

Producer (Farmer/Rancher) Grants

These are conducted by agricultural producers, with support and guidance from a technical advisor, usually a cooperative extension agent or educator or a professional from a government ag-support agency. Producers use their grants to conduct on-site experiments that can be shared with other producers. Projects may also focus on marketing, energy or other sustainable agricultural production systems. Applicants submit proposals on-line. A technical review is held in January, and the grant awards are announced early the next spring.

Professional + Producer Grants

These grants are similar in concept to those for Producer Grants, except that an agricultural professional, such as an extension educator or Natural Resources Conservation Service professional, coordinates the project with five producers serving as consulting advisors and ‘on the ground’ participants. Applicants submit proposals on-line. A technical review is held in January, and the grant awards are announced early the next spring.

Professional Development Program Grants

Also known as Chapter 3 or PDP grants, these are designed to help agricultural professionals affiliated with land grant universities and government and nonprofit organizations spread knowledge to producers about concepts and practices of sustainable agriculture. The grants often are used to develop educational tools to help extend knowledge about and encourage the use of practices that engender sustainability. Proposals are reviewed in January and chosen for funding early in the spring. Grants range in size from $20,000 to $100,000 and usually run for one to two years.

Graduate Fellow Grants

New to the Western SARE program in 2005, these grants are funded up to $25,000 to assist graduate students in pursuing their advanced degrees. The grant may last for up to two years and a student may apply for only one grant during the course of his or her study. Applicants must be enrolled full-time (according to the institution’s requirements) at an accredited college or university in the Western region. Proposals are submitted on-line  in the spring and reviewed in the summer, and grants are awarded in the fall.

What are the due dates and timelines for the grants?

• Research & Education Grants
  • Request for pre-applications released April 1 of each year 
  • Electronically submitted pre-applications due in early June 
  • Pre-application review completed by Sept. 1 of each year 
  • Full applications due in mid-November 
  • Full application review completed by March 1 of each year 
  • Grant awards announced by May 1 of each year 
• Producer (Farmer/Rancher) Grants 
• • Request for Applications released April 1 of each year 
  • Applications due in early December 
  • Application review completed by March 1 of each year 
  • Grant awards announced by May 1 of each year 
• Professional + Producer Grants 
  • Request for Applications released April 1 of each year 
  • Applications due by early December 
  • Application review completed by March 1 of each year 
  • Grant awards announced by May 1 of each year 
• Professional Development Program Grants 
  • Request for Applications released April 1 of each year
  • Applications due by early November 
  • Application review completed by March 1 of each year 
  • Grant awards announced by May 1 of each year 
• Graduate Fellow Grants 
  • Requests for Applications are released April 1 of each year 
  • Applications are due by late May of each year 
  • Applications review is completed by mid-July 
  • Grant awards are announced by early September

What is the maximum amount I can apply for?

For Research & Education Grants, the limit is generally $200,000, although a few have been funded for more than that.  The average amount of funding per grant is around $115,000. 
 
Producer Grants are limited up to $15,000 for an individual producer and up to $25,000 for three or more producers. 

Professional + Producer grants are limited up to $50,000 and require at least five producers.

For Professional Development Program Grants, applicants may seek up to $30,000 for one-year projects and $60,000 for two-year projects in a single state or locale. For regional or multi-state projects, applicants may seek up to $60,000 for one year and $100,000 for two years.

When will I find out if my application has been funded?

Applicants will learn about the fate of their application within about six months after the deadline for submission (with the exception of the Graduate Student Grants). Each application is carefully reviewed and screened by a panel of producers and professionals with government, nonprofit or business affiliations. After the review is complete and selections are made, the Western SARE office must complete the appropriate paperwork. Letters are then sent to applicants informing them of their application outcome.

Can I receive more than one grant per year?

As a principle investigator or project coordinator, you are allowed to receive only one grant in a given year. However, you may serve as a cooperator or participant on more than one grant.

Can I submit more than one application per year?

Yes. However, you can be funded for only one grant per year.

May I use SARE funds to start a new business or farm?

No. Funds for approved projects may be used only for testing a technique or practice related to the farming or ranching operation.

May I use SARE funds to make a permanent improvement on my farm or ranch?

No. Federal law precludes use of these funds for capital improvements.