ARS | Publication request: Development of the "All about Blueberries" Extension Community of Practice (CoP) SCRI Proposal

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: December 15, 2009
Publication Date: April 15, 2010
Citation: Hummel, N.A., Coneva, E.D., Braswell, J.H., Cline, W.O., Marshall, D.A., Ferrin, D.M., Machtmes, K.L., Roy, H.J. 2010. Development of the "All about Blueberries" Extension Community of Practice (CoP) SCRI Proposal. HortScience 45(4):491.

Technical Abstract: The process of preparing and submitting an eXtension SCRI proposal was presented in a “how-to” type format. To begin, the concept of www.extension.org was presented. A Community of Practice is a team of experts developing content focused on a specific topic area. Experts that develop content are land grant university specialists/researchers, and approved individuals. There are currently more than 50 CoP’s. The presentation began with a discussion about grant-writing training opportunities. The importance of the rule “read the RFA and follow the RFA instructions” was emphasized. Proposal writing will require at least 50% more time than you anticipate, so budget your work accordingly. If possible, begin to assemble your research/extension team before the RFA is released so that you can move quickly to write a proposal. Communicate with eXtension staff often during the planning process. Meet early and often with your team of investigators – we used e-mail, web conferencing and phone conferences to prepare the proposal package. Establish deadlines for key pieces of the proposal to make sure all pieces will be built before the final submission deadline. Be sure to keep your sponsored programs office in the loop so that you don’t have any surprises that may delay submission. Build a trans/intra-disciplinary multi-state team of eXperts. Establish a clearly-defined leadership structure and timelines to accomplish the tasks/goals of your proposed work. Diagrams are a nice way to illustrate these structures. Obtain stakeholder support for your efforts in the form of signed letters. Create an advisory board of appropriate stakeholders from each state participating in the project. The final step is to prepare the budget. This way the budget will accurately reflect the use of time and staff resources to accomplish the proposed work. Submit your proposal on-time and early, if possible. Communication with sponsored programs during the proposal preparation process should ensure that staff members are available to take the proposal through the final submission steps.