Center for Food Animal Health

Formula Funds Call for Proposals

The basic objective of the USDA Formula Funds Program (Farm Bill Section 1433) is to provide seed funds to support new and innovative research, and assist faculty in developing preliminary data required to apply for extramural funding in the area of food animal medicine.  In accordance with guidelines developed by USDA & ANR, we are again encouraging the development of collaborative efforts between: 1) AES and Extension faculty, and 2) multi-state projects.  A maximum of ten (10) bonus points will be given to each proposal for planning, implementation, outcomes and reporting that involves Veterinary Medicine Extension, and a maximum of five (5) bonus points will be given to each proposal which includes multi-state collaborations.

According to established policy it is important that an extramural grant be developed and submitted simultaneously with requests for USDA Formula Funds. In preparing proposals, the following materials must be submitted:

  1. Formula Funds Application (CFAH Forms 1, 2, 3 & 4). These forms outline the basic project and budget requirements. They must be completed for both new and continuation projects.
  2. New projects are required to have a complete set of CRIS forms (attached) i.e., AD 416, AD 417, Assurance Statement and a Project Narrative. Animal Health projects can be requested for up to five-year duration, even though the accompanying extramural grant request may be submitted for a shorter time frame.
  3. It is important that all Formula Fund proposals include a draft of an extramural grant proposal. Instructions for preparing your draft and an example of an extramural grant proposal are detailed on the checklist. It is not required that the extramural grant proposal be submitted in final form. We do, however, need a draft of the proposed plan of work including an approximate budget.  All other required forms can be completed at the time the grant is finalized to meet the designated grant deadline. Previously submitted extramural grants which have been denied are not acceptable. 
  4. All continuation project requests must include a copy of the latest annual progress report. (CFAH Form 5).

 We encourage each of you to submit proposals addressing the attached targeted priority issues important to the livestock industry in California. Proposals not adhering to the above requirements will not be considered for funding.

 In the allocation process, projects will be funded by commodity on a priority score basis. All requests must be submitted on forms CFAH 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, up to a maximum of $20,000. These forms, as well as the CRIS forms for new proposals, may be downloaded here. Completed materials are due in the Office of Research and Graduate Education Programs no later than December 19, 2011.  NO EXTENSIONS OF THIS DEADLINE WILL BE GIVEN. If you have any questions, please call Rowena Banks at (530) 752-0549.