Description
The Methyl Bromide Transition (MBT) program supports the discovery and implementation of practical pest management alternatives to methyl bromide. The program seeks to solve pest problems in key agricultural production and post-harvest management systems, processing facilities, and transport systems for which methyl bromide has been withdrawn or withdrawal is imminent. The program will fund integrated and extension-only projects that provide transitional alternatives to methyl bromide and address immediate needs resulting from its loss. Key aspects of the program include:
* Developing and improving alternatives to methyl bromide as part of a systems-based integrated pest management strategy
* Improving soil productivity and pest management in crops impacted by the loss of methyl bromide
* Improving pest management in post-harvest environments impacted by the loss of methyl bromide
* Enhancing grower/industrial user knowledge and adoption/implementation of appropriate methyl bromide replacement strategies through extension outreach and demonstrations
* Conducting economic analysis of the costs and efficacy of proposed methyl bromide alternatives
* Providing a justification statement explaining the issues and economic losses faced by the commodity since the phase-out of methyl bromide and how the proposed project could result in economically feasible methyl bromide alternatives
* Clearly identifying extension personnel involved in the project and delineating formal extension programs to expedite the adoption and implementation of proposed alternatives.
Some of the key eligibility requirements include:
* Applicants must meet all the requirements discussed in the NOFO
* Applications may only be submitted by colleges and universities
* Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project
* Applicants must provide matching contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis for all Federal funds awarded under the MBT program.
The program will evaluate applications based on criteria such as:
* The conceptual soundness of the proposed approach
* The description of the proposed implementation of methyl bromide alternatives and the extension activities for adoption of alternatives
* The level of scientific originality and risk-reward balance that indicate a high probability of project success
* The qualifications of project personnel, adequacy of facilities, and project management
* The project relevance and the likelihood that the proposal will address the needs of commodities impacted by the loss of methyl bromide and will advance the goals of the MBT program.
Some of the key program outputs and reporting requirements include:
* Providing a project-specific logic model as part of each application
* Submitting a data management plan that describes how the project will manage and disseminate the data generated by the project
* Providing an update on the project's progress and outcomes as part of the annual report.