Extension Strategic Initiative Program 2018 (ESIP 2018)

For the past several years, the Extension Administration has consistently heard requests for funding to support new program initiatives.  Faculty and staff have developed many excellent ideas for new projects and initiatives but we have not had the financial capacity to provide the funding.  We understand the needs and we have been working to manage our funds to develop a strategic investment pool.

Thus, we are initiating a 2018 Extension Strategic Initiative Program (ESIP).  Up to $500K per program area is available.  These are temporary funds. Thus, they are one-time funds and not permanent or long-term funding.

Fundamental aspects of this program include the following points:

• These funds will allow faculty/staff to develop new projects and initiatives. 
• Preferable projects will have clearly defined Extension program outputs such as effective stakeholder meetings targeting new or important issues, new publications, and the development of websites/phone apps or other creative educational products that facilitate Extension education efforts. 
• Preference will be given to team-oriented projects that involve faculty and staff from both county and academic/Experiment Station units.
• Applied research and capital equipment purchases are allowed, providing the research/equipment is tightly linked to programmatic output directed at stakeholders.
• Funds can be used for technical salaries, ERE, supplies and travel.
• These funds are not for use in support of internal meetings (e.g., in-service trainings or working groups). 
• If funding is required to sustain the effort beyond one year, then a long-term funding plan is needed to secure external funding.
• Proposal are due 21 December 2018 and reviewed by the Extension Administration.  
• The Extension Administration may request additional input as part of the proposal review.

The request for proposals for the ESIP can found here.  Please see below for other FAQs.  If you have further questions, you can use the comment box below to ask, or e-mail them to azcebus@email.arizona.edu.  

If we have stakeholder meetings, can food/drink be purchased with these funds?

No. State fiscal policy applies to these funds, which prohibit the purchase of food/drink.

 Can my proposal involve multiple program areas?

Yes, please clearly indicate which program areas are involved on your proposal.

What are the reporting requirements?

A report will be expected after the first six months of the funded proposal as well as at the conclusion of the funded project.

All awardees will be expected to present the results of their project at a future annual faculty conference (in the form of a presentation or poster).

Do we have to go through Sponsored Projects?

No, this is an Extension Administration initiative. All proposals and decisions will be done internally to Extension.

Is there a cap on the funding?

No, but the intent is to fund as many great proposals as possible.

When and how will the funds be dispensed?

Funds will be distributed to the primary or principal director's unit in two, equal-sized portions. Half at the beginning of the approved proposal, the rest after the 6-month report/review (an exception can be made for proposals that require a large capital purchase to initiate the project).

Who will do the 6-month reviews?

Reviews will be conducted by the Extension Administration Team (EAT). Other faculty or stakeholders could be pulled into the reviews.

When will decisions be made on the proposals? What is the timeline?

Proposals MUST be submitted to azcebus@email.arizona.edu by December 21st, 2018. Decisions will be announced no later than February 4th.