Overview
RFP: Environment
The presence of legacy nitrogenous products on or surrounding agricultural lands and their potential impact on human health is highly speculated despite the many unknowns that exist in this area, an emphasis on mitigation is necessary to ensure a positive impact on both human and environmental health. Yet, little is even known about the efficacy of tested mitigation strategies aimed at reducing overall prevalence in the environment. The National Pork Board continues to support producers and public health by utilizing Pork Checkoff dollars to fund meaningful work in the area of environmental health.
What Problem Does This RFP Address?
This RFP focuses on knowledge gaps related to mitigation strategies aimed at reducing legacy nitrogenous products including nitrates and nitrites. Specifically, this effort aims to fund both a scoping review and the development of an evidence gap map such as the one shown in Figure 1 below that visually displays the quantity, variety, and scope of projects aimed at understanding methods for reducing the prevalence of legacy nitrogenous products in the environment and thus minimizing any potential public health outcomes.
Figure 1: Saran et al Child Welfare Evidence Gap Map Draft
Research Priorities
- Conduct a scoping review of mitigation strategies aimed at reducing legacy nitrogen currently present in the environment and create an evidence map of the existing projects conducted in this space.
- Propose logical next steps based on the evidence map to assist in the effective reduction of legacy nitrogen.
- No other agrochemicals will be assessed.
- Focus on mitigation Strategies for Nitrates and Nitrites in water.
- Study types to be included in this review should include but not be limited to field-trial and laboratory experiments.
- An assessment of relevant protocols that are scalable and can be applied at the farm setting.
- Study types to be included in this review should include but not be limited to field-trial and laboratory experiments.
Criteria for Approval
Proposals must directly address the research priorities as outlined above. Submitters should clearly describe their project scope including but not limited to the study types to be included in their assessments, types of nitrogen-based products assessed, etc. Submitters must submit proposals that are well written with a defined budget and robust study design that clearly addresses the research priorities.
Due Date
Research proposals for this RFP are due May 17, 2024.
Evaluation
Individual projects contained within the proposal must meet the same standards of scientific rigor and statistical validity as typical National Pork Board research grants. Poorly written proposals that fail to demonstrate how researchers will address research priorities will not be considered.
A research review committee comprised of pork producers and subject matter experts will evaluate each proposal for its approach to desired outcomes, application to and impact on the pork production industry.
Funding Amount
There is $60,000 available for this RFP. Budgets for submitted proposals should not exceed this amount.
Applicants should not interpret the maximum allowable amount as a suggestion to expand their anticipated budget to this level. Reasonable budgets necessary to achieve desired outcomes are in favor of the applicant.
Budgets not commensurate with proposed work or poorly justified will likely negatively impact the evaluation of the proposal. Indirect costs are not allowed; however, it is allowable to request salary and fringe benefit support.
Proposal Format Requirements
Submissions for this RFP should follow the National Pork Board’s standard instructions and format and requirements. Please ensure your proposal format includes all required information, specifically under the budget section.
Questions?
For questions, please contact:
Marguerite Tan, MS
Director, Environmental Programs
National Pork Board
