The open period for Cornell University faculty and other eligible academic staff to submit preproposals for 2006–07 Hatch/Multi-state, Smith-Lever, McIntire-Stennis, and Animal Health federal formula funding (FFF) ran from October 1 through November 21, 2005. According to the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station (CUAES), which coordinates the preproposal submission and review process, the number of preproposals received was up significantly.

“The submission website received 156 preproposals, some 40 more than the previous year, said Michael Voiland, assistant director of CUAES and Cornell Cooperative Extension. “The database showed that the pool of preproposals included 108 research support requests, 17 extension support requests, and 31 requests for integrated (research and extension) support," said Voiland. "Competition for federal formula funding will again be very intense this cycle, with the ratio of ‘dollars requested’ to ‘dollars available’ at almost two to one."

Overall, over $4 million of funding was requested by faculty; approximately $2.2 million is available.

The preproposal review process is now well along. Reviews have been submitted by CCE, CUAES, and NYSAES-Geneva leadership, as well as by off-campus stakeholders and the applicants’ department chairs. Preliminary funding decisions should occur in early May, with notification of all applicants typically taking place the second week of that month. All research and integrated preproposals will require full proposal development and USDA review before approved projects are funded. The funding start date is October 1, 2006, with projects typically funded for three years.

For a glimpse of the annual FFF cycle process, in calendar format, go to www.cce.cornell.edu/admin/program/pwts/fffcalendar.htm