1890 FRSP Frequently Asked Questions

1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical Program (FRSP)

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated December 2, 2020

May the 1890 FRSP fund my student?

• The 1890 FRSP only funds faculty sabbaticals. However, faculty may propose to use a portion of their budget to support student training activities that fall under the scope of the collaborative research project.

May I split time between my home institution and ARS during my sabbatical?

• 1890 LGU faculty should be minimally engaged in their normal faculty duties during their residency at ARS. Sabbatical leave is intended to be full-time. Applicants must include a letter from an authorized official at their 1890 LGU that acknowledges the full-time nature of the sabbatical leave.

What is the application process?

• To apply for the 1890 FRSP, the 1890 faculty member and ARS host mentor will need to collaboratively develop a research project proposal. The next call for proposals will be posted on the ARS website (https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/1890-faculty-research-sabbatical-program/) in summer 2021. Completed application packages will be submitted internally by the ARS host mentor.

What does my 1890 LGU need to do to submit the application?

• 1890 LGUs do not submit applications. The completed application must be submitted internally at ARS by the prospective ARS host mentor.

Do I need to obtain my institution’s approval to participate in the program? At what point in the process does this need to happen?

• Applicants are required to provide a letter of institutional support in their application package. Additionally, applicants must follow any other sabbatical approval guidelines established by their institution.

What are the application criteria?

Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Relevance to the ARS mission;

• Ability to further the development of the 1890 LGU faculty applicant;

• Scientific merit of the proposed research; and

• Relevance and utility to the base-funded research of the ARS host scientist.

 What are components of a successful application?

Successful applications will

• Propose innovative research on some aspect of agriculture or food relevant to the ARS mission and programs;

• Have potential benefits and impact for the citizens of the 1890 LGU's State and beyond;

• Strengthen the expertise and research capacity of the 1890 LGU applicant; and

• Enhance the scope or impact of the ARS host scientist's research project.

When and why was the program established?

• ARS is committed to supporting its 1890 land-grant university partners. The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) established the 1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical Program (FRSP) in 2015 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the 1890 land-grant universities. The 1890 FRSP aims to build 1890 LGU research capacity while enhancing ARS’s ability to solve problems of importance to the food and agriculture community.

What is an 1890 land-grant university?

• 1890 land-grant universities are historically black universities established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890.

How do I learn more about the program?

• Visit the 1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical Program webpage on the ARS website:

  https://www.ars.usda.gov/research/1890-faculty-research-sabbatical-program/

• Sign up to receive program updates through GovDelivery:

  https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAARS/subscriber/new?topic_id=USDAARS_80

• Email 1890FRSP@usda.gov with your questions.