| Project Plan Information |
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Project Plans
Project plans describe a project's objectives, including HOW, WHEN and BY WHOM they are to be met. The project plan must stand on its own, and should convey how the work relates to other similar projects in the same National Program, and how it may relate to a minority-coded project in the same Management Unit. The plan should be clear and well organized; 15 to 30 pages (depending on the number of scientists assigned to the project) are sufficient if written concisely. Typos, omissions, and sentence fragments suggest a lack of concern and may result in a low score. Make the plan easy to read, with a consistent 'message' from beginning to end.
The primary responsibility for a high quality project plan is shared between the Research Leader and the Scientists.
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Outline of a "Typical" Project Plan (with page locations for the handbook) |
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Cover Page (Title and Investigator(s)) |
1 page |
(p. 11, App 3) |
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NPL Validation Page |
1 page |
(p. 11, App 13) |
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Signature Page |
1 page |
(p. 11, App 4) |
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Table of Contents |
1 page |
(p. 11) |
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Project Summary (250 words) |
? page |
(p. 11) |
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Objectives |
1-3 pages |
(p. 12, App 5) |
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Need for Research |
1-2 pages |
(p. 12) |
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Scientific Background |
5-7 pages |
(p. 12) |
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Related Research |
1-2 pages |
(p. 12) |
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Approach and Procedures |
6-16 pages |
(p. 13, App 6) |
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Physical and Human Resources |
?-1 page |
(p. 13) |
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Project Management and Evaluation |
? page |
(p. 14) |
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Milestone Table |
as needed |
(p. 14, App 7) |
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Prior Period Accomplishments |
2-3 pages |
(p. 14) |
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Literature Cited |
as needed |
(p. 14) |
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Past Accomplishments of Project Team |
1-2 pages each |
(p. 15) |
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Issues of Concern Statements |
as needed |
(p. 15) |
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Specific Cooperative Agreements |
as needed |
(p. 15) |
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Appendices (letters plus other material |
as needed |
(p. 15) |
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The complete single electronic file (pdf) as submitted to OSQR is sent to reviewers. The sections in bold are those to which the page limits (p. 10) apply. |
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Project Plan Instructions and Format
Editorial Checklist and Components and Tips for Project Plans
National Agricultural Library Resources
To Complete a Patent Search(this link will take you away from the OSQR web site)
CAMBIA offers free access to agricultural patents from the European Patent Office, applications provided under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, and the U.S. Patent Office.
Websites to help complete the "Issues of Concern Statement":
ARS Facilities Division: Safety, Health & Environmental Branch
National Environmental Policy Act
NIH's Office of Human Subjects Research
NIH's Office of Biotechnology Activities
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
