CAFNR Research Funding

CAFNR Equipment Matching Grant Program

The Equipment Matching Grant Program provides matching support for the purchase of major equipment that will advance the infrastructure available for research and will help improve research metrics identified in the CAFNR Strategic Plan. The equipment must be shared by several faculty members. Proposals must demonstrate matching funds as described elsewhere in this document.

CAFNR Ag-celerator for Agricultural Technologies (CAAT)

This new CAFNR funding is designed to accelerate the translation of agriculture, food and natural resources innovations into products and processes that improve the lives of people in Missouri and beyond. The program bridges the gap between academic research and industry by providing funding to CAFNR faculty-led teams to perform experiments to generate data that will ultimately lead to commercialization of new technologies.

  • Due: Letter of Intent by Dec. 15; submission of a full proposal (maximum 3 pages), if invited, by March 15
  • Details and how to apply (PDF)

The Joy of Discovery Seed Grant Program

A CAFNR “seed grant” program to support research.

  • Due: April 15 at 5 p.m.

The Joy of Discovery Seed Grant Program (CAFNR) – 2026

The Joy of Discovery Seed Grant Program is a CAFNR seed grant program designed to support interdisciplinary research and increase competitive grant funding.

Program Description
The CAFNR Office of Research launched The Joy of Discovery Seed Grant Program in 2021. The goal of the program is to help faculty conduct preliminary studies that position them to submit competitive, interdisciplinary proposals for federal funding agencies such as USDA NIFA AFRI, NSF, NIH, and DOE. Including preliminary data in grant proposals increases the likelihood of funding success. In its short history, this program has supported a number of highly competitive projects funded by NIFA, NSF, DOE, and NIH.

Funding supports 8–10 small grants per year through an internal competition. Grants are awarded in two phases.
Phase 1: Up to $20,000 total, usable over a maximum of two years.
Phase 2: For successful projects needing additional data before applying for a major competitive grant, up to $10,000 for one additional year.

To date, the program has invested in 38 projects totaling approximately $700,000 over four years and has generated roughly $15 million in external funding, primarily from federal and state agencies and the private sector. This represents nearly $21 in return for every dollar invested.

Eligibility
The lead PI (Project Director) must be a CAFNR ranked faculty member. Proposals must clearly demonstrate the goal of submitting a competitive federal grant by the end of the project period; otherwise, submissions will be returned. Funding may not be used for faculty salary or conference or workshop attendance. Funding requests may not exceed 24 months. Only one active project is permitted per lead PI.

Submission and Review
Proposals are solicited in February, with final funding decisions announced in August. Proposals are reviewed by a faculty review committee. Funding decisions are based on the merit of the proposed activity, qualifications of project personnel, relevance to CAFNR strategic priorities, and the likelihood of securing continued competitive funding that contributes to AAU distinction.

Follow-Up Requirements
A brief progress report is due by August 31 each year. A poster presentation at the annual CAFNR Research Symposium is required by the end of the project period. The PI must notify the CAFNR Office of Research when additional funding is secured.

Deadline
Proposals are due April 15 at 5:00 p.m.
Awards are announced by August 31.
Submit proposals as a single PDF file via email to Ms. Sue Leutschaft at leutschafts@missouri.edu.

Proposal Format

Cover Page (include the following):

  • Project title
  • Applicant name (Project Director) and affiliation
  • Other personnel and affiliations
  • Federal agency or program where proposals will be submitted after project completion

Summary/Abstract
Maximum 200 words.

Project Description
Maximum of four single-spaced pages (budget and justification excluded). Include the following sections:

  • Rationale
  • Objectives or hypothesis
  • Methods
  • Expected results and deliverables, including the expected proposal and funding agency
  • Impacts
  • Timeline
  • References

Budget
Include requested amounts for:

  • Salary
  • Materials and supplies
  • Travel (data collection only; no conference travel)
  • Other expenses
    Provide totals for Year 1, Year 2, and cumulative funding.

Budget Justification
Clearly and explicitly describe how funds will be used. Requests for gifts or incentives are not supported. Awarded funds may only be used for items approved in the proposal budget. Itemize all expenses and reference all budget items within the project description. Final payment will not exceed the approved budget total.

Review Criteria (Maximum 50 Points)

Scientific Merit of the Research (0–20 points)

  • Novelty, originality, innovation
  • Transferability of knowledge from model systems
  • Conceptual strength and appropriateness of hypotheses
  • Clarity of objectives
  • Feasibility and suitability of methods
  • Probability of success relative to risk
  • Potential impact
  • Likelihood of continued competitive funding, especially AAU Phase I or II sources

Project Relevance (0–20 points)

  • Interdisciplinary nature of the project
  • Alignment with CAFNR mission, vision, strategic priorities, Programs of Distinction, and Grand Ideas
  • International collaboration, if applicable (note: funding cannot be used for international travel or research expenses)

Qualifications and Facilities (0–10 points)

  • Qualifications and track record of project personnel
  • Awareness of previous or alternative approaches
  • Adequacy of personnel, facilities, and instrumentation
  • Project planning and administration

Panel members will submit completed scores to Ms. Sue Leutschaft by the communicated deadline.