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Source: NCDA&CS, 9/8/20 Application deadline is Oct. 9 The N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative and the New and Emerging Crops Program are seeking grant proposals that support each program’s mission. “The two programs offer a combined $1 million in competitive grants, with the total being split equally on bioenergy research and new and emerging crop research,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “With every dollar invested in ag research producing around $19 in returns, we envision significant production opportunities and new markets that will benefit North Carolina farmers. This continued investment in agricultural research has helped maintain agriculture and agribusiness’ strength as our leading industry.” Each program is organized under the NCDA&CS Research Stations Division. While not required, research projects funded by the grant programs may use the Division’s infrastructure and resources throughout the state, including one or more of the Division’s 18 research stations. Potential grantees may wish to review the chart below to understand each program’s mission and the types of research projects that may qualify for grants.
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Bioenergy Research
Initiative
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New and Emerging Crops
Program
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Mission:
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to
support the development of energy production from North Carolina agricultural
and forest-based products.
*
High consideration will be given to projects that focus on crop production in
either the field or forest that will provide feedstock for bioenergy-related
technologies, economic analysis and bioenergy production.
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to identify potential new crops, value-added products and agricultural enterprises and provide the agricultural research, marketing support, and education necessary to make these crops commercially viable and profitable for North Carolina’s growers and agribusinesses.
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Topics of high importance
include, but are not limited to:
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- Weed management
- Harvest
management such as methods, timing, transporting and storage
- Stand management
such as renovation for productivity, planting dates, crop management and
eradication when necessary
- New species and
bioenergy potential
- Innovative uses
of biomass for energy
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- Identification of
emerging crops with economic potential
- Crop physiology,
growth and development
- Identification of
appropriate soil and climate needs
- Agronomic
management strategies including fertility and pest management
- Postharvest
management strategies
- Creation and
evaluation of new value-added products
- Test marketing
new crops or products
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- Genetic improvement and selection
- Education and demonstration
- Economic analysis and enterprise
budgeting
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Copies of the grant applications, required forms and additional information are available on each program’s grant web page. The Bioenergy Research Initiative page is at www.ncagr.gov/bioenergy/Grants/index.htm, and the New
and Emerging Crops grant page is at www.ncagr.gov/NECP/grants.htm. Applications must be
postmarked by close of business Oct. 9. Questions about each program should be
directed to the contacts above. For more information on the application process,
contact Allison Medlin, at allison.medlin@ncagr.gov or at
919-693-2483. -30-
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