Request for Applications (Evaluation Tool)

Request for Applications (Evaluation Tool) is sponsored by Western SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education), hosted by Montana State University. Western SARE is seeking to fund an individual or group with documented expertise in program evaluation to develop an evaluation tool that can be easily implemented by Western SARE Principal Investigators (PIs) on the ground.

Evaluation Tool Application - SARE Western Western SARE Project Evaluation Tool Application Portal Western SARE seeks to fund an individual or group with documented expertise in program evaluation and has the capacity to develop an evaluation tool that can be easily implemented by Western SARE PIs on the ground.

One successful award will be funded for a maximum of $100,000 which will be awarded as a cost-reimbursable subaward agreement issued by Montana State University, the Western SARE Host Institution. Applications are due July 31, 2026 by noon Mountain Standard Time. For questions, please email: western-evaluation@sare.

org Principal Investigator (Required) Principal Investigator (Required) Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah U.S. Virgin Islands Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Europe Armed Forces Pacific Preferred Method of Contact (Required) Email Phone Principal Investigator Email Address (Required) Principal Investigator Phone (Required) Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PI) Name Project Description (Required) Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max.

file size: 15 MB. Describe the proposed strategy for accomplishing the Requested Scope of Work outlined above. Project description is limited to 4 pages, 12-point Times New Roman font, and single spaced.

Each 8. 5 by 11-inch page must have one-inch margins on all edges. Experience and Qualifications (Required) Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max.

file size: 15 MB. State the qualifications and relevant experience of the applicants to demonstrate their ability to successfully complete this project. A list of links to similar documents prepared by the applicant or to project reports of similar efforts led by the applicant should be provided here.

Experience and Qualifications should be limited to 1 page, 12-point Times New Roman font, and single spaced. Each 8. 5 by 11-inch page must have one-inch margins on all edges.

Timeline (Required) Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 15 MB. Describe the timeline for the project.

Projects may start no earlier than October 1, 2026 and no later than December 1, 2026, on the first of the month. The project, including required reporting and tool delivery, must be completed by April 30, 2029. An extension will NOT be possible.

Timeline should be limited to 1 page, 12-point Times New Roman font, and single spaced. Each 8. 5 by 11-inch page must have one-inch margins on all edges.

Budget (Required) Accepted file types: xls, xlsx, Max. file size: 15 MB. Please download and fill out the budget form linked at the top of this page Budget Justification (Required) Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max.

file size: 15 MB. The budget justification is limited to 2 pages, 12-pt Times New Roman, single spaced and must follow the order of the budget form. Each 8.

5 x 11 page must include 1 inch margins. Funds may be budgeted in the following categories: 1. Salaries and Benefits: Provide base salary, FTEs, fringe benefit rates and salary and benefit amounts requested.

2. Contracted Services: Includes paying for professional services and fee-for-service work. 3.

Supplies: Basic supplies and materials needed to carry out the project. , 4. Communication: Includes postage and mailing expenses.

5. Travel: Must be directly related to fulfilling the goals and objectives of the project and includes: mileage, economy airfare, lodging, meal per diem, car rentals, taxis, etc.. Travel per diem and mileage need to align with your organization's approved rates.

If no rate is available, use the rates listed on the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) website. Lodging may not exceed the GSA rate for the location. International travel is prohibited.

6. Indirect Costs (Facilities & Administrative Costs): Please follow the criteria below: Under the SARE program, NIFA stipulates indirect cost recovery is capped at 10% of the Total Direct Costs (TDC) requested. • If the applicant entity has a Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), the IDC base should be Total Direct Costs.

• Some entities may NOT be eligible for IDC recovery or may be limited to the de minimis rate (currently up to 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs). • Applicants must limit their request for recovery of indirect costs to the lesser of their institution’s official negotiated indirect cost rate or the equivalent of 10% of Total Direct Costs. Letters of Support (Required) Accepted file types: pdf, Max.

file size: 15 MB. Provide any letter(s) of Support from agencies, organizations or individuals indicating support for and/or participation in the project Recommendation letter(s) (Required) Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 15 MB, Max.

files: 3. Include at least one, but not more than three, recommendation letter(s), and contact information, from professional references that support the program evaluation qualifications of the applicant. References of persons where the entity have done similar work is preferred Letter of Commitment from Partner Institutions Accepted file types: pdf, Max.

file size: 15 MB. If your proposal is issuing subawards to partner institutions, attach a letter of commitment from each institution identified previously.

The letter of commitment must be signed by the subaward's PI (usually listed as a Co-PI of the project) and include the following: period of performance, total funds requested, and a scope of work outlining activities to be performed, the deliverables created and the project timeline. Current and Pending Support (Required) Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 15 MB.

The PI and other project team members must submit a Current and Pending Support form. This form is not needed for producers and students. Failure to provide Current and Pending Support for the PI and all project team members will disqualify the proposal before review.

Access the current and pending support here: https://projects. sare. org/media/pdf/w/e/s/western-research-and-education-current-and-pending-support.

pdf Signature Page (Required) Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 15 MB. This form must be signed by the PI and the PI's Authorized Organizational Representative.

For an Institution of Higher Education, this person is usually the Director of the Sponsored Programs Office. For non-profits or other organizations, this is typically the Executive Director, CEO, or CFO. Please fill out and upload form: https://projects.

sare. org/media/pdf/W/S/A/WSARE-signature-page2. pdf Curriculum Vitae (Required) Accepted file types: pdf, docx, doc, Max.

file size: 15 MB. Please include curriculum vitae of the principal investigator and any co-principal investigators.

Maximum 2-pages per vitae Institutional Review Board (IRB) (Required) Project has been submitted for review by IRB Project has been approved/exempt from review by IRB Project team needs access to IRB Project does not meet definition of Human Subjects Research and does not require IRB approval Conflict of Interest (Required) I have a conflict of Interest and will develop and implement a CoI management plan if awarded this funding I do not have a conflict of Interest A potential for conflict of interest is when project awardees' external activities or interests could influence -or appear to influence- the manner or extent to which those individuals carry out their project responsibilities.

Such influences could diminish the awardees' ability to accomplish the project objectives and goals, and violate state or federal law. Typically, conflicts of interest can be dealt with effectively through disclosure and a plan to manage the conflict. If your proposal is selected for funding, you will be expected to develop and implement a CoI management plan at the time of the subaward execution with Montana State University.

Please disclose whether you have a conflict of interest under the conditions indicated in this document: https://projects. sare. org/media/pdf/L/i/s/List-of-Conflict-of-Interest-for-Relationships-in-the-Workplace.

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