Projects & Products

Mini-grants

Special Project and Pilot Study Funds (Mini-grant Program): Year 2010 - 2011

Application Deadline: August 20, 2010

Purpose
The purpose of the “Mini-grant” program of the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety (NCCRAHS) is to support small-scale projects and pilot studies that address prevention of childhood agricultural disease and injury. Funds are allocated to support projects that: a) test innovative strategies, b) strengthen partnerships between safety professionals, agricultural organizations, and the media, and c) translate research findings into practical applications.

Eligibility
Individuals affiliated with community-based organizations, public or private institutions, units of local or state government, or tribal government throughout the United States are eligible to apply for funds. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with NIOSH Agricultural Research Centers. Priority will be given to organizations and junior faculty who are building their capacity in childhood agricultural health and safety.
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Priority Topics
The report from the 1996 National Action Plan and the 2001 Summit on Childhood Agricultural Injury Prevention serve as a guide to national initiatives related to children’s agricultural health and safety. Each application must clearly indicate how it is addressing a national priority in childhood agricultural injury prevention as outlined in these reports.

Highest funding priority will be given to projects that:

1. Address vulnerable populations (e.g., immigrant workers’ children, Anabaptists, African Americans, and Native Americans; per the NORA Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing definition, “vulnerability” relates to English language skills, literacy levels, mobility, migration, work arrangement, socioeconomic status, culture, ethnicity and physical or cognitive ability).
2. Use Internet-based resources (including interactive websites, online social networking, online community building, etc.) to direct and influence parents and other responsible adults regarding safe behaviors affecting children.
   
3. Generate new collaborations with agricultural organizations and/or media.
   

Pilot interventions which will be considered for funding include:

1. Methods to motivate adults to use previously developed resources (see NCCRAHS Projects and Products and NAGCAT for examples).
2. Novel interventions addressing leading causes of injury to children on farms.
3. Interventions addressing childhood agricultural respiratory or noise exposures.

NOTE: Projects that are not specific to children and agriculture will not be funded (e.g. carseat programs, bicycle safety).

A list of previously funded projects is available for review on the NCCRAHS website.

Application Process
Proposals must include all sections noted below. Appendicies may be included only if highly relevant to the proposal. Applications exceeding page limits will be returned. Please use one inch margins and Arial 11 font.

A. Contact Information Form - download here
B. Project Goal - Concise statement of project goal / outcomes / deliverables - 6 page limit B-G
C. Background and Significance - Include specific national priority area(s) addressed
D. Project Design / Methods - Planned design and methods
E. Evaluation Plan - see "Evaluation" below
F. Implications for future studies / programs - Include potential for future, continued, or spin-off studies / programs
G. Timeline - Project timeline limited to 12 months maximum
H. Budget and Budget Justification - see "Budget" below - 1 page plus indirect agreement (if applicable)
I. Biosketch - Required for Principal Investigator and key personnel; 1 page each
J. Appendicies - Only highly relevant materials should be included in appendicies - 10 page limit

Evaluation
Applicants are encouraged to consult an evaluation guide for assistance, such as the CDC’s evaluation guidebook Demonstrating Your Program’s Worth, A Primer on Evaluation for Programs to Prevent Unintentional Injury.

Budget
A maximum of $20,000 may be requested. The budget must indicate the requested amount and justification for each category (i.e. personnel, travel, supplies, and consultants). Institutional indirect costs must be included as part of the total budget as a separate line item. It is the responsibility of the applicant to determine indirect cost rate with his/her institution. Your institution’s indirect cost agreement must be included with your application if the budget includes this line item.

Send your completed proposal document via email to:
nccrahs@mcrf.mfldclin.edu.

Review Criteria
Proposals will be peer-reviewed using the following criteria: a) alignment with the purpose of mini-grant program, b) eligibility requirements, c) priority topics outlined in the call for proposals, d) adequacy of project design and methods, e) strength of the evaluation plan, f) likelihood of expanding the knowledge base of childhood agricultural injury prevention, and g) likelihood of increasing regional or national awareness and activities regarding childhood agricultural safety and health.

Funding
Only one application per organization will be awarded. Applicants will be notified of award decision in late September 2010. All funds must be expended by September 29, 2011.

For more information or questions regarding your proposal, please call
1-800-662-6900 or email nccrahs@mcrf.mfldclin.edu.

Title and Principal Investigator for past projects