2009 GCSAA Research Grant Program

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) invites you to submit a research proposal to the 2009 Research Grant Program. We are excited to fund new applied agronomic, environmental and regulatory research that will benefit golf course superintendents and the golf courses they manage.

Timeline

• November 14, 2008 -- Proposals due at GCSAA headquarters and at Chapters.
• November 26, 2008 -- Letters from Chapters are due at GCSAA headquarters.
• January 15, 2009 -- Proposals reviewed by the Research Task Group.
• January 30, 2009 -- Researchers notified of projects approved for funding.

Funding Programs

In 2009, The Environmental Institute for Golf (The Institute), GCSAA's philanthropic organization, will provide funding for new research projects in two separate programs.These programs are the Chapter Cooperative Research Program and the Jumeirah Golf Estates Water Conservation Grant. A proposal must be submitted to only one program.

Chapter Cooperative Research Program

Purpose

To cooperate with chapters by providing matching funds for applied agronomic, environmental or regulatory research that has been identified by the chapter as a significant local issue. Our goal is to fund research that is important to superintendents.

Funding

• $10,000 maximum per year for up to three years from The Environmental Institute for Golf. No indirect costs are allowed.
• A letter from an officer of a GCSAA affiliated chapter and who is a superintendent is required for Chapter Cooperative Research Program proposals. The information that should be contained in the letter is available online in the section titled "Letter Guidelines."
• A single GCSAA affiliated chapter, multiple GCSAA affiliated chapters working together, turf associations or foundations, golf associations, or any combination of the organizations previously listed must match dollar for dollar the funding requested from The Institute. Organizations may contribute more than $10,000 to a project but GCSAA will only match up to $10,000.

Jumeirah Golf Estates Water Conservation Grant

Purpose

The purpose of the grant is to increase water conservation on golf courses. Projects should utilize existing technology, best management practices and innovative water conservation techniques to increase water conservation on golf courses in the arid, southwestern United States. Funding must be used for projects conducted on golf courses or for outreach or technical assistance programs directed to golf courses.

Funding

• A maximum of $20,000 per year for up to two years from The Environmental Institute for Golf. More than one project may be funded if the total funding for all projects does not exceed $20,000 per year. No indirect costs are allowed.
• These funds could be used to assist chapters, universities and other entities to develop programs that will have long-term educational value on water conservation for the golf industry.
• Projects should document the reduction in water use, cost savings, long-term conservation practices and be used as an educational tool for other golf courses. Projects including irrigation system audits, making improvements to increase water use efficiency through the use of innovative techniques or technology are desired.
• The project must be conducted in the arid, southwestern United States.

Proposal submittal process

• Proposals are due at GCSAA Headquarters on November 14, 2008 and supporting letters are due at GCSAA Headquarters on November 26, 2008.
• If submitting electronically, include the principle investigator's last name as the file name.
• Proposals should be typed, single-spaced using a minimum 10 point font.
• Proposals must not exceed six total pages including the cover sheet.
• Proposals may be submitted in hard copy or e-mailed in a PDF format. You may combine the cover sheets and the proposal into the same PDF. Faxed proposals are not accepted.

  To send by email:

  Please create a PDF of your proposal and include the cover sheets. Send the PDF to Clark Throssell, Ph.D., Director of Research at cthrossell@gcsaa.org. Send an e-mail copy to Noel Hall, Coordinator, Environmental Programs, at nhall@gcsaa.org.

  You will receive a confirmation e-mail from Noel Hall.
  
  To send by U.S. Postal Service, mail to:

  GCSAA Research Department
  1421 Research Park Drive
  Lawrence, KS 66049 -3859
  

  Checklist

  Proposals must include the following to be accepted for review:

  • Cover sheets – the cover sheet is available here.
    
  • Proposal, maximum of six pages (including cover sheet), and must include the following:
    

    ▪ Project Title
    ▪ Rationale for research/description of problem
    ▪ Benefits of the research to golf course superintendents
    ▪ Objectives
    ▪ Materials/methods, including the location of the experiments and a list of treatments if applicable
    ▪ Expected results/outcomes
    ▪ Brief section of literature cited (if desired)
    ▪ Detailed budget showing all sources of funding (no indirect costs allowed)

  Letter Guidelines

  A letter of support from an officer of a GCSAA affiliated chapter who is a superintendent must accompany all Chapter Cooperative Research Program proposals. The information that should be contained in the letter is available online, see Letter Guidelines. Letters from chapter executives are not acceptable.

  A letter must accompany all proposals submitted under the Chapter Cooperative Research Program from an official of the chapter, turf association or foundation, or golf association that states the commitment of the organization to provide matching funds for the duration of the project.

  Proposal review process

  Only proposals that are received by November 14, 2008 and contain the required information will be reviewed by the Research Task Group.

  The Research Task Group is comprised of seven golf course superintendents and three scientists.

  Proposals will be evaluated based on:

  • Importance of the research to golf course superintendents
  • Well-defined experimental objectives
  • Methodology that will meet objectives
  • Technical merit

  If you have questions regarding the request for proposals or would like to discuss your research ideas, please contact Clark Throssell, Ph.D. at 406-656-1986 or cthrossell@gcsaa.org.

  Proposals must be received by November 14, 2008.

  Submit your proposals electronically to:
  Noel Hall
  or
  Mail your proposals to:
  GCSAA Research Department
  1421 Research Park Drive
  Lawrence, KS  66049-3859