PRIMARY CONTACTS

Co-directors:
Lucia Kaiser, Ph.D., R.D.
Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis
e-mail: llkaiser@ucdavis.edu

Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr, Ph.D.
Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis
e-mail: sazidenbergcherr@ucdavis.edu

Program Coordinator:
Tammy J. McMurdo, MS, RD
Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis
e-mail: tjmcmurdo@ucdavis.edu

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM

The purpose of this small grants program is to stimulate innovative research related to the impact of food assistance on nutrition. Specifically, this program encourages identification of nutritional indicators (anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary) that can be used to measure the impact of food assistance programs in the United States. Proposals may also address determinants of diet and nutritional outcomes, particularly obesity, in the food assistance-eligible population. To examine the impact of food assistance, cross-sectional data often need to be complemented with longitudinal or intervention studies that explore food- and lifestyle-related behaviors, including diet and physical activity particularly in diverse subgroups of the population. Since effects of food assistance on dietary intakes have been observed, research is needed on food patterns, as well as nutrient intakes. Other topics that may be of interest include impact of the delivery and intensity of U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition education programs on antecedents to behavioral change, as well as behavioral changes.

All applicants should address the policy implications of their proposed research for food assistance programs. Priority will be given to grants with clear implications for policy and those examining multiple indicators of nutrition impact. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate the feasibility of conducting their research and presenting the findings within a year’s time. Since the research tasks must be completed within a 12-month period, the most commonly funded projects tap into secondary state or national data sources (i.e. CSFII, NHANES or CDC) or utilize data from previous community-based surveys. We also fund small grants that leverage funds from larger, on-going projects and explorative and/or qualitative studies. This program strongly encourages interdisciplinary team approaches incorporating epidemiology, economics, or anthropology and nutrition and focuses on evaluation of domestic food assistance programs within any of the 50 states or U.S. territories. Thus, proposals evaluating food assistance programs in other countries will not be considered. This program is sponsored by the Economic Research Service (ERS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

TERMS OF THE GRANTS

1. Principal investigators must hold the doctorate or the highest degree appropriate for their discipline.
2. The amount of the small grants is expected to range between $25,000 to $30,000, but in no case, higher than $35,000. This amount includes indirect costs at the applicant’s institution, if required, and expenses incurred to send one investigator to a seminar in Washington, D.C. in the fall of 2009. The applicant must be ready to present a draft report of their findings and the implications for policy at this fall seminar.
3. Recipients of any grant are required to furnish us with quarterly reports and a final report describing the results of their research not later than December 31, 2009. A two-page Executive summary will be due Nov 30, 2009. Attendance is also expected at a mid-year conference call or face-to-face meeting to discuss progress on the grant. Travel funds for the mid-year meeting need not be included in the budget.

CONTENT AND ORGANIZATION OF THE APPLICATION

The application must contain:

1. A cover sheet giving the title of the proposed research, applicant’s name, institutional affiliation with full address and telephone number, e-mail address, research grant contact at the institution, and time period of the proposed research.
2. One-page abstract, describing purpose, methods, and significance of the research.
3. Description of the applicant’s proposed research, not to exceed 10 double-spaced pages, (12 pt font) exclusive of References or Appendices. The proposal should carefully describe the issues to be examined, hypotheses to be evaluated, methodology proposed, time line, data sources to be used, data analysis strategy, and anticipated results of the research. The results should be related to policy issues.
4. A budget showing funds requested from this small grants program and funds available or applied for from other sources. The budget must be itemized--showing, for example, the researcher’s time, research applicant’s time, travel costs, computer services, supplies, and indirect costs if required. Tasks to be undertaken by all personnel on the budget must be clearly delineated.
5. A statement of qualifications of the applicant, including a Curriculum Vitae.
6. If applicable, a copy of the Human Subjects Review Committee approval letter from the investigator’s institutional review board or an indication that the proposal is pending review. Applicants must submit this form before any funds will be released.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS

Optional (but recommended) Letter of Intent: March 24, 2008 (E-mail or fax submission of letter is acceptable)
Proposal must be postmarked or hand-delivered by: May 2, 2008 (E-mail or fax not acceptable)
Funding for the Period September 1, 2008- December 31, 2009

SELECTION PROCESS

Each proposal will be reviewed by at least five UC Davis faculty members or ad-hoc reviewers from other campuses with expertise in the appropriate areas and the Economic Research Service staff. Proposals will be reviewed for:

1. relevance to policy development
2. soundness of the proposed research design
3. feasibility of completing the research within the specified time frame
4. likelihood the investigators can carry out the proposed research
5. multidisciplinary approach (priority is placed on multidisciplinary research teams)

AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS

Program support is subject to availability of funds. Nothing in this description of applications should be construed as committing the RIDGE program to dividing available funds among all qualified applicants.

DATES FOR RECEIPT AND ANNOUNCEMENT

Eight copies of the application must be delivered to the Department of Nutrition with a postmark date of May 2, 2008. Proposal receipt will be acknowledged via e-mail. Proposals should be sent to the following address:

Dr. Lucia Kaiser, Nutrition Specialist
UCD- ERS RIDGE Program
University of California
Department of Nutrition
One Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616-8669

INQUIRIES

Questions concerning this grants program should be directed to the UCD-ERS RIDGE Program at
Phone: (530) 754-9063;
Fax (530) 752-8966;
E-mail: llkaiser@ucdavis.edu