MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) invites Wisconsin farmers and cooperating entities to apply for commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program (NOPP) research grants through January 17, 2025. These grants aim to enhance the understanding of and refine new methods that optimize commercial nitrogen applied to agricultural fields.
Eligible applicants must be an agricultural producer or be working with one or more agricultural producers, agree to collaborate with the Universities of Wisconsin (UW) on their project, and voluntarily conduct commercial nitrogen optimization field studies for a minimum of two years. Preapproval of the research design must be obtained from UW by December 20, 2024 and is required for submitting the final grant application. The grant application, Request for Proposals, and other application materials are now available on DATCP’s website.
“Through the continuation of this program, farmers across Wisconsin are able to conduct innovative research to optimize the use of nitrogen in agriculture,” said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “These grants and the findings of these projects will be valuable as producers continue to serve as stewards of our state’s land and water resources for generations to come.”
There is $1 million available for this round of grants. Multiple agricultural producers may work together, or with cooperating entities, to submit a single application. Each agricultural producer who is part of the application is eligible to receive a maximum award of $40,000 for the project. Outside of the individual grant awards, a grant will be made to the UW System for project monitoring, research, and outreach assistance.
NOPP staff from DATCP and UW will host a series of Office Hours every Monday from 9:30-10 a.m. from October 21, 2024 through January 13, 2025. These sessions will allow applicants to ask questions, pitch research ideas, and clarify ideas for their applications.
Preapproval of research design must be obtained from UW by December 20, 2024. Final applications are due to DATCPNOPP@wisconsin.gov by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2025. Grant recipients will be announced in spring 2025.
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