Guidelines for the Hatch Proposal Preparation
October 2007
1. Project proposals are initiated by faculty in consultation with faculty collaborators and Department Chair.
2. Chairs review all proposals. They are responsible for assigning at least two peer reviewers. These reviewers evaluate, recommend, and comment upon each proposal.
3. Reviews are then returned to the investigator who responds to suggestions, makes changes and resubmits the proposal to the Chair.
4. Following review, the Chair indicates approval by sending an email, with the proposal attached to Susan Dimit.
5. Investigator completes CRIS Forms AD 416, AD 417 and Assurance Form (CSREES 2008) available on line at http://cwf.uvm.edu/cris/. These are submitted on line to the Director’s office.
6. Upon approval, projects are assigned a number and forwarded electronically to CSREES for approval and inclusion into CRIS. The OARDC fiscal office is notified of all approved projects wherein the Fiscal Officer maintains records of expenditures to be used in the AD-419 and the annual Report, which are submitted to CSREES.
Detailed proposal
Title: The title should be a brief description of the subject of the research, and, as clearly as possible, should reflect the objectives and scope of the project.
Justification: Justification should include: (1) ways in which public welfare or scientific knowledge will be advanced; (2) the importance of the problem to society; and (3) reasons for doing the work at this time.
Previous Work and Present Outlook: Write a brief summary of the previous research (citing important publications), the status of current research, and the additional knowledge that this project is expected to provide. Literature citations may be listed at the end of the project outline.
Objectives: Present clear and logically arranged statements of the objectives of the project.
Procedure: State the procedures to be used to reach each of the stated objectives. The research plan should reflect careful thought and should provide flexibility for changes if changes became necessary. Methods of statistical analysis and interpretation should be stated. Indicate the location where the work will be done and the availability of the facilities and equipment needed.
Probable Duration: Provide an estimate of the time required to complete the project. Whenever a significant change in the objectives of a project is advisable, a new project outline should be prepared and submitted. A major change in procedure might also necessitate a revision of the project outline.
Personnel: The leader(s) and other technical workers assigned.
Institutional Units Involved: List each academic unit within OARDC and any other units of the University contributing essential services or facilities. The responsibilities of each should be indicated. If there is an advisory, coordinating, or directing committee for the project, the official title of the committee should be listed.
Cooperation: List U. S. Department of Agriculture or other station, institutions, or agencies expected to cooperate formally or informally on the projects. If the research is a part of a Multi-State Project, list the Regional Project Number.