The overarching goal of the WCAHS Small Grant Program is to encourage the development of creative research projects while nurturing researchers—particularly early-career researchers—interested in improving agricultural health and safety for the Western U.S.
Small Grant Program Objectives
- Fund short-term research projects to support the collection of preliminary data
- Attract new investigators to work with the WCAHS and the field of agricultural health and safety
- Facilitate the exploration of innovative research directions
- Engage and mentor graduate students across multiple disciplines
Current 2020–2021 Funding Opportunity
WCAHS is dedicated to improving the health and safety of those working in Western agriculture through multidisciplinary research, outreach, and trainings. Agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations in the U.S. and represents one of the largest industrial sectors in California.
WCAHS is seeking research proposals that address agricultural health and safety in Arizona, California, Hawaii, and/or Nevada. WCAHS welcomes applications on a wide range of topics relevant to agricultural health and safety. Proposals should identify an occupational health or safety issue that is attributable to the agricultural worksite, not general community exposures.
Projects that include collaboration with cooperative extension farm advisors or farm labor contractors and/or those that result in industry, community, and/or policy outputs are encouraged.
Award
Funding for the 2020–2021 academic year. Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars may request up to $10,000. Faculty may request up to $30,000.
Eligibility
- Faculty with PI eligibility in the Western region (AZ, CA, HI, NV)
- Project activities and research sites in the Western region
- PhD students or postdoctoral scholars in the Western region
- Applicants from AZ, HI, and NV are encouraged to apply
Key Dates
| Proposals Due | August 21, 2020, 5 p.m. PT |
| Earliest Funding Start Date | October 15, 2020 |
| Progress Report Due | March 31, 2021 |
| Final Report Due | October 31, 2021 |
Submission Instructions
- Proposals are due on or before the due date: August 21, 2020, 5 p.m. PT
- Send all materials in one .pdf to: aghealth@ucdavis.edu
Required Proposal Items
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Abstract written for lay audience |
<150 words |
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Project narrative:
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3 pages |
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Budget:
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1 page |
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Budget justification |
1 page |
| Statement on project feasibility should public health officials mandate quarantine or continued social distancing related to COVID-19 | <1 page |
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NIH biosketch for the PI |
3 page limit |
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Graduate student projects only: faculty letter of support |
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Postdoc projects only: faculty letter of support including commitment of time for the project |
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Review Criteria
The review process emphasizes scientific merit, which includes identification of a significant occupational health- and/or safety-related problem, magnitude of health and/or safety problem, innovation and use of appropriate tools and methodologies to address the question, fit with WCAHS’ goals, likelihood that the investigator will obtain extramural funding using preliminary data obtained from the project, and likelihood that the proposal will enhance the translational component of WCAHS. All applicants are strongly encouraged to use the NIOSH Burden, Need, Impact framework in describing their project.
Awardees will be expected to participate in WCAHS events and seminars and acknowledge WCAHS in publications and presentations by NIOSH grant title and number.
Questions? – aghealth@ucdavis.edu