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OFRF is pleased to announce their next round of research funding beginning with a request for Letters of Intent on July 15th. The new deadline, which is earlier than in past years, provides additional time for applicants to submit project ideas for review prior to submitting full proposals.

“We are proud of the impact our grants have made over the years and excited about this update to improve our grantmaking process,” says OFRF’s Executive Director, Brise Tencer.

“Every year, we receive more grant proposals,” explains Diana Jerkins, OFRF’s Research Director. “This new process will help us prioritize the projects that most closely match our funding priorities, and those will be invited to submit full proposals.”

Since 2006, OFRF has invested over $3M in research projects based on scientific merit, combined with the potential to address key grower challenges. Techniques and findings from OFRF-funded research have been widely implemented by organic farmers and ranchers, with information disseminated online, in publications, and at farming conferences and field days.

The grants have also played a crucial role in advancing the careers of young scientists, enabling them to leverage significant additional funding to grow their programs and continue the work on a larger scale.

Based on the OFRF report, 2016 National Organic Research Agenda (NORA), this year’s priority areas for research projects include soil health, innovative weed control, organic insect pest management, livestock health, social science research on the marketing, policy, and economic barriers to successful organic production and barriers to transition, and emerging issues related to environmental, economic, or social challenges for organic growers. Submissions must meet one or more of the six priority areas. We encourage applicants to download the report for more details.

It is important to note the new early release date of July 15, 2018 for the Letters of Intent. Otherwise, the timeline is the same as previous years. Those invited to submit full proposals will be notified in the fall. Grant funding will be announced in spring 2019.

To ensure you receive the announcement and instructions, please sign up for OFRF’s monthly online newsletter. We look forward to another year of outstanding project submissions!

To learn more about the impacts of OFRF grants, download the report, Impacts of OFRF Grants: 2006-2014.

Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is a non-profit foundation that works to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. OFRF cultivates organic research, education, and federal policies that bring more farmers and acreage into organic production.