AD-417 / Project Classification Instructions
AD-417 / Project Classification Web Form
(Second form in project initiation process)
The purpose of the AD-417 Classification form is to assign NIFA-defined classification codes to projects documented in CRIS. This data is used not only at the federal level for planning budgets and funding programs (funding reports to Congress are based on classification information), but it is also utilized at the state and institutional level for various reporting requirements. Therefore, in order to properly summarize funding in the areas of research, education or extension, projects must be classified appropriately. Projects are classified according to the Manual of Classification of Forestry and Agricultural Research, Education and Extension (http://cristel.nifa.usda.gov/star/manualvii.pdf).
Complete this form only with thorough knowledge of the classification system or with the collaboration and guidance of department heads, directors, or others who understand the system and the use of these data for national and regional planning.
To begin
Click on the AD-417 button in the project table on the Project/Form Selection Screen.
- To select the research classification codes, use either the (1) Classification Assistance button or (2) fill in the form below manually.
- If you use the Classification Assistance button, do not complete fields 25-29 until you return to the main screen.
- Click the Check data button at the bottom of the screen when finished.
Research Effort Categories – Fields 25-27
(Percentages entered in the three fields must total 100%. Enter whole numbers only – no fractions or decimals. One project rarely contributes to all three fields.)
- Basic: Research that has a primary goal of gaining fully knowledge or understanding of a subject.
- Applied:Research that has a primary goal of the practical application of knowledge to meet a recognized need.
- Developmental:Research findings to produce useful materials, devices, systems or methods.
Forestry & Animal Health – Fields 28-29
- Forestry Component: Enter the percentage of forestry research. Enter 100% for all McIntire-Stennis funded projects (N/A for UC Davis). Other Federally funded and State funded projects can range from 0-100% forestry research. Also include this information for projects outside a forestry department, School of Veterniary Medicene State Forest Service that receive non-Federal funds for research.
- Animal Health Component: Projects receiving Animal Health formula funds under Public Law 95-113 must be classified 100% Animal Health. Other types of projects demonstrating animal health research may include animal health percentages.
--Classification by Knowledge Area, Subject of Investigation, and Field of Science--
The Research Classification Scheme
All projects entered in CRIS must be classified to the Primary Classification without exception. In most cases, project classification on Form AD-417 is the responsibility of the organizational unit most closely identified with the research. The classification is described briefly below and is detailed in individual sections which follow.
Step 1: Each project in CRIS must be assigned at least one code from each of the three series of Primary Classification. To allow for identification of multiple objectives of a research project, a maximum of ten (10) codes from each of the three series is permitted on a single project. Primary Classifications are entered in fields 30-39 on Form AD-417.
The Primary Classification consists of three series of broad classifications:
- Knowledge Area (KA)
- Subject of Investigation (SOI)
- Field of Science (FOS)
Indicate the CRIS classifications:
o Knowledge Area(s) (KA); formerly called Research Problem Area (RPA), has been renamed. The new Knowledge Areas (KA's) have modified or expanded definitions, additional codes, and other enhancements to accommodate the broad focus of research, higher education, and extension work sponsored by the National Institute of Food & Agriculture NIFA), the agency that maintains the Current Research Information System. This change to Knowledge Area is consistent with the NIFA mission to advance knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities.
The KA describes broad categories of research, extension, and/or education within a general topic area. The KA may encompass several activities or subcategories. After determining which Topic Area(s) may provide more specific descriptions of the work for entry into CRIS. Classifiers should select and enter the classification code for the particular KA the project addresses. Many projects may require entry of more than one KA to adequately describe the scope of the work or activity covered by the project. A separate line should be used on the AD-417 to enter each Knowledge Area classification code that is necessary to adequately classify the project. See http://daisy.uvm.edu/cris/kacs.htm for KA CRIS codes.
o Subject(s) of Investigation (SOI) identifies the commodity, product, organism, entity, resource, or technology not related to specific commodities or resources representing the intended target or focus of the research or for which the application of the research is intended. Many projects may require entry of more than one SOI per KA to adequately describe the research target. A separate line should be used on the AD-417 form to enter each SOI classification code and KA classification code that is necessary to adequately classify the project. Seehttp://daisy.uvm.edu/cris/subject.htmfor SOI CRIS codes.
o Field(s) of Science (FOS) allows the classifier to identify the specific science or technology that constitutes the basic mechanism of the investigation. Here, as in the other classification categories, many projects may require entry of more than one FOS per KA and SOI to adequately classify the project. A separate line should be used on the AD-417 form to enter each FOS classification code, SOI classification code, and KA classification code that is necessary to adequately classify the project. See http://daisy.uvm.edu/cris/newsci.htm for FOS CRIS codes.
Assignment of Percentages
Step 2:
- Percentages are assigned to each line of classification; that is, to each unique Knowledge Area-Subject of Investigation-Field of Science combination. Percentages are assessments of time, money, and/or material, each expressed as a percent of the whole, which may be allotted to each listed combination.
- For projects containing only one line of classification, the percentage will always be 100%. Otherwise, individual percentages will vary, depending on the number of lines of classification and relative weight given to each Knowledge Area-Subject of Investigation-Field of Science combination.
- Percentages must be expressed as whole numbers, not as fractions or decimals, and each must be NOT less than 10 percent.
- When the individual percentages are correctly assigned, the sum of all percentages in column 4, fields 30-39, will equal 100%.
- A maximum of ten 10) lines of classification is permitted on a single project.
- An example of a completed classification table.
Final Steps
- Click Check Data button
- Confirm that all information entered is correct/appropriate.
- Click Save Information
- PRINT Confirmation Screen for your records
- Click Return to Admin Table to complete CSREES-2008 / Assurance Statement
Return to Proposal Checklist or CFAH Home.
