Project plans describe a project's objectives, including HOW, WHEN and BY WHOM they are to be met. The project plan must stand on its own, and should convey how the work relates to other similar projects in the same National Program, and how it may relate to a minority-coded project in the same Management Unit. The plan should be clear and well organized; 15 to 30 pages (depending on the number of scientists assigned to the project) are sufficient if written concisely. Typos, omissions, and sentence fragments suggest a lack of concern and may result in a low score. Make the plan easy to read, with a consistent 'message' from beginning to end.

The primary responsibility for a high quality project plan is shared between the Research Leader and the Scientists.

Outline of a “Typical” Project Plan (with page locations for the handbook)   Title and Investigator(s)                               1 page                         (p. 11, App. 2) Signature Page                                               1 page                         (p. 11, App. 3) Table of Contents                                           1 page                         (p. 11) Project summary (250 words)                       ½ page                       (p. 11) Objectives                                                      1-2 pages                    (p. 11, App. 4) Need for research                                          1-2 pages                    (p. 11) Scientific Background                                    5-7 pages                    (p. 12) Related Research & CRIS search                   1-2 pages                    (p. 12) Approach & Procedures                                 6-16 pages                  (p. 12, App. 5) Physical and Human Resources                     ½-1 page                    (p. 12) Project Management & Evaluation                ½ page                        (p. 12) Milestone Table                                              as needed                    (p. 13, App. 6) Prior Period Accomplishments                       2-3 pages                    (p. 14) Literature Cited                                              as needed                    (p. 14) Past Accomplishments of Project Team                1-2 pages each              (p. 14) Issues of Concern statements                             as needed                     (p. 15) Specific Cooperative Agreements                        as needed                     (p. 15) Appendices (letters plus other material)               as needed                     (p. 15)   The bolded portions are sent to reviewers both as printed documents and as part of the complete electronic file as submitted to OSQR. To conserve paper, reviewers do not receive printed versions of the non-bold sections but they are included in their full electronic versions.

Project Plan Instructions and Format

Project Plan Components and Tips

Editorial Checklist for Project Plans

Letters of Collaboration

National Agricultural Library Resources

CRIS Search

To Complete a Patent Search (this link will take you away from the OSQR web site)
CAMBIA offers free access to agricultural patents from the European Patent Office, applications provided under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, and the U.S. Patent Office.

Websites to help complete the "Issues of Concern Statement":

ARS Facilities Division: Safety, Health & Environmental Branch

National Environmental Policy Act

NIH's Office of Human Subjects Research

NIH's Office of Biotechnology Activities

Occupational Safety & Health Administration

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Homeland Security

Intellectual Property