Request for Pre-proposals (RFP) - Summer 2008

To review the Leopold Center’s 2008 Request for Pre-proposals, use the links below that go to a PDF document that requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.

• View the complete 8-page RFP
• View Ecology Initiative RFP (and instructions)
• View Marketing and Food Systems Initiative RFP (and instructions)
• View Policy Initiative RFP (and instructions)

About the Summer 2008 Request for Pre-proposals (RFP)

The Leopold Center was established by the Iowa Legislature as part of the Iowa Groundwater Protection Act of 1987.  Its legislatively mandated mission is to identify and reduce negative environmental and socio-economic impacts of agricultural practices, contribute to the development of profitable farming systems that conserve natural resources, and cooperate with Iowa State University Extension to inform the public of new findings.

The Center’s work is organized in three initiative areas—ecology, marketing and food systems, and policy—each aimed at enhancing the condition and viability of Iowa’s natural resources in varying, yet integrated ways.  These three initiatives have separate sections in the RFP.

Important information about the RFP process

Who may submit a pre-proposal?  Investigators representing any Iowa nonprofit organization/agency and/or educational institution (such as soil and water conservation districts, schools and colleges, and regional development groups). The Center strongly encourages the involvement and collaboration of farmers, landowners, and farm-based businesses in the pre-proposal process.

What lessons have we learned? The Leopold Center now has 20 years of accumulated research, and we would welcome pre-proposals focused on retrospective studies of long-term impacts of previously funded LCSA research. If you have ideas in this area, please contact the appropriate initiative leader to discuss your project.
 
Please refer to each initiative’s RFP section to find the best fit for your pre-proposal, and follow these general directions. Prepare a one- or two-page concept paper containing these elements:

• Separate cover page with project title, complete contact information for the principal investigator including mailing address, phone number and email address, dollar request by year, and the initiative area–ecology, marketing and food systems, or policy–that best fits your pre-proposal.  Do not count the cover page or letters of support as part of your page total.
• Objectives—What do you want to achieve? Must be well defined and measurable.
• Strategies—What activities will help you achieve project objectives? Describe by objective.
• Focus areas—How does your pre-proposal fit within one or more focus areas for one of the initiatives?
• Outcomes—What will happen in the short and intermediate term if you achieve your objectives?  How do your proposed outcomes match up with expected outcomes listed in the initiative area under which you are applying?
• Outreach—How (and with whom) will you share project results?
• Evaluation—How you will determine if you have achieved your objectives? (Brief)
• Budget estimate and brief financial explanation by calendar year, starting February 1, 2009.  Funding may be for multiple years, depending on initiative or special call area.
• Estimate total expenses and itemize by:  Salary and Wages; Equipment/Supplies/Materials; Travel; Consultants; and Other.
• Which of the following best describes your estimated budget?  Does this change per year of your request?

  _ LCSA will provide all funding.
  _LCSA funds are a start, but work is contingent on other funds to meet all desired outcomes.
  _LCSA funds are filling a gap in ongoing work sponsored by other funding.
  _LCSA funds will support completing part of the work even if funds from other sources are not received.

How to submit? An electronic copy (sent via e-mail or delivered on digital media such as CD or diskette) or one hard copy must be received by 5:00 p.m. August 18, 2008.  No faxes, please.  Electronic version should be a .doc or .txt file or contained within the body of the e-mail.  Send your copy to the appropriate contact person listed in the RFP.

What happens after submission?  An invitation to submit a full proposal will be based upon review of all pre-proposals by the Leopold Center Advisory Board and staff.   Proposals will be screened for adherence to recommendations found in this RFP as well as economic, environmental, and community/social sustainability. The Center will notify all applicants in late September 2008 as to whether they will be invited to submit a full proposal. Full proposals will be submitted by early November, and funding decisions made by mid-January 2009.