Request for Research Proposals

Projects should logically fit into one of these broad areas:

Breeding efforts to increase genetic yield potential and introduce defensive traits.

Biology, management and yield mitigation for diseases, nematodes, insect pests, abiotic stresses.

Weed management strategies within soybean cropping systems.

Soybean production practices that improve nutrient management and water quality.

Practices to maintain or improve seed quality after harvest.

Soybean cropping system production practices, agronomics and management to enhance productivity, profitability and sustainability, including digital agriculture, new technologies and modeling for research, production and economic impact.

Research proposals are expected to be concise and targeted to the farmer audience.

• Cover sheet (provided): proposal overview and budget
• Contact information: Name, address, phone number and email address and affiliation of principal investigator and co-investigators.
• Project title
• Farmer benefit: Explain how this research will directly benefit soybean farmers and/or the soybean industry (200 words or less).
• Brief project justification and rationale: Identified research need, brief review of similar academic and industry research and how proposed research is necessary, novel and will benefit farmers and the soybean industry (around 400 words). 
• Brief description of proposed research: Project goals, objectives and research activities along with expected outcomes that are clear and measurable (around 500 words).
• Other  related funding - current and proposed: Proposed research may complement and extend but must not duplicate already funded research.  Where applicable, a concise listing of related research and funding sources for the PI and collaborators, and a brief description of how this check-off funded research will be used to complement additional funding support (public and private: e.g. USB, QSSB, USDA, company) to extend knowledge or expand research breadth and depth, especially in cases where basic research funding is requested.
• Deliverables, project metrics and communication and outreach:
  • Deliverables with clear milestones and timelines.
  • Key performance indicators (KPIs) and how they will be measured
  • Economic impact analysis and expected return on soybean checkoff investment
  • Communication plan to include farmer-focused publications, field days and simiar.

• Cost-efficient budget:
  • Provide a clear and cost-efficient budget, including sub-budgets for projects within programs.
  • For multi-year projects, include proposed budgets for Years 2 and 3.
  • Budgets should include funds for publishing results, broad communications and outreach including meetings or events (if applicable).

• Submit a 3-minute (or less) video for the ISA Farmer Board of Directors that:
  • Summarizes the research project.
  • Explains how it will benefit Iowa soybean farmers.
  • Describes how it will help farmers become more productive, profitable and/or sustainable.
  • Outlines the expected outcomes for Iowa farmers or the soybean industry.
• Video footage provided must be taken at a resolution of 1080p at 30 fps (typical for most cell phones). If you use a phone camera, please shoot footage horizontally/landscape and place the subject clearly in the center of the video.

It is critically important for researchers to identify how the deliverables will positively and tangibly impact Iowa soybean growers in the short- or long-term, and how deliverables will be communicated to growers and to the ISA. Budgets should include funding for publishing and broadly communicating results, and convening meetings if planned.

Researchers should reference first year deliverables when justifying multi-year projects and requests for project renewals, as continued funding will be determined by the demonstration of real, meaningful and applicable first-year or second-year results.

Researchers are strongly encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary collaborations, including partnerships with other institutions, when appropriate. Prior conversation is recommended if you would like to partner with or leverage ISA's Research Center for Farming Innovation.

Statement of allowed and non-allowed contract funding items and categories for soybean check-off compliance purposes.

Allowed:

Non-Allowed: