This year’s deadline for submission of proposals for Toward Sustainability Foundation grants is December 15. There are two RFPs:
International Research from CALS Graduate Students:
Preference for funding will be given to international (non US citizen) graduate students with PhD research situated in developing nations, focused on environmental sustainability, food security, and organic production systems. Use of TSF funds is restricted to student living expenses during the international fieldwork, on-site research expenses and supplies, and essential travel for the proposed research or outreach activities. Successful proposals will be funded at a maximum of $5,000 for a one-year period beginning Feb. 1, 2011.
Organic Agriculture Research, Teaching & Outreach
The Department of Horticulture at Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) requests proposals from Cornell staff and students, Cooperative Extension educators, and New York organic farmers for innovative research, teaching and outreach projects in organic farming and food system sustainability. Use of TSF funds is restricted to student or staff wages and salaries, materials and supplies, essential travel, and other direct essential expenses of the proposed research, teaching or outreach activities.
Goals of the TSF Organic Grants Program for 2011:
- Develop, evaluate, strengthen, and disseminate knowledge about organic gardening and farming.
- Encourage and support systems-level studies on environmental and economic impacts, energy efficiency, social equality, and local or regional sustainability of organic farms and food systems.
- Improve and expand organic systems knowledge and information through the Cornell Cooperative Extension and Master Gardener networks, within Cornell’s teaching programs, and at farms, agricultural and food processing facilities, and family gardens throughout NY and the Northeast.
- Promote novel approaches for research, extension, and teaching programs that enhance the sustainability and knowledge foundation for organic farming and gardening.
Priorities for Funding in 2011:
- Projects involving Cornell undergraduate and graduate students, and organic farmers in lead roles.
- Projects that improve energy efficiency and sustainability of agriculture and gardening.
- Projects that investigate key ecological processes and environmental impacts of organic and alternative farms or food systems.
- Projects that promote carbon sequestration, soil and water resources, human and wildlife habitat, and other vital ecosystem services in farms, gardens, natural areas, and managed landscapes.