Beef farmer- and rancher-supported research helps fill gaps to ensure the body of beef product quality knowledge continues to grow -- particularly as applied research funding opportunities become more limited. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is soliciting a special issue for letters of intent in the area of Product Quality Research:
Original Scientific Research
- To what extent can current grading technologies be utilized to classify lean color variations? Capture the spectrum of dark cutter variations to assess lean color maturity in the context of quality grade.
Research ideas should be novel, applicable to the beef industry, and have a high potential impact. Collaboration is strongly encouraged where relevant. Budgets for research trials will be evaluated based on the scope and methodology of the submitted proposal.
Submission Instructions
Applicants should submit a one-to-two-page letter of intent outlining the scope of work. Letters of intent that meet the submission deadline and follow the guidelines in the RFP will be considered. Submissions must clearly state the relevance to the beef industry. Collaboration with industry partners is strongly encouraged. In addition, collaboration with additional researchers or institutions is encouraged where appropriate. Following the review process, program staff will work with PIs on the requirements needed for contracting.
LETTERS OF INTENT MUST BE SUBMITTED BY May 19th at 5:00 pm MST via email to [email protected].
Letter of intent Outline
- Project Title
- Timeline (timelines should be under 12 months; shorter timelines strongly encouraged)
- Budget
- Objectives
- Materials and Methods
- This section should include increased focus on project design and explanation of how it addresses the research question.
- Submissions should include, but are not limited to:
- Cattle/carcass selection
- Plant parameters
- Relation to other maturity factors
- Industry Impact
- Collaborators and/or In-kind Support
REVIEW CRITERIA
Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of independent industry experts. Submissions will be evaluated for: clearly defined project scope and objectives, project design to fit needs within the industry, and convincing evidence that the proposed research will change the concepts, methods, or technologies that drive this field.
Project deliverables will include, at minimum, a final technical report with a full listing of research results and implications, and abbreviated executive and lay summaries highlighting key points from the full technical report. Final technical reports must follow a standard outline and be thorough and interpretive in nature.
Deliverables also will include a final statement outlining all project expenditures from the institution’s business office. Funds cannot be spent beyond the project end date established in the project contract.
Deliverables will be due on or before the project end date established in the contract.
Disclaimer
We are aware that academic institutions have financial obligations for administering the research grants awarded to their faculty members. However, overhead costs, principal investigator salaries, tuition, and equipment purchases will not be considered as part of the funds made available for this research. View the full indirect cost statement here.