Proposal Writing
Potential cooperator/grantee should be aware of the following:- Congressional appropriations to the SRS affect the amount of assistance available for any proposed project.
- Under cooperative agreements, the SRS cannot reimburse indirect costs and tuition remission to a State-supported institution. The SRS can reimburse these costs to all other recipients.
- Under grants, the SRS can reimburse indirect costs and tuition remission to any recipient.
- Indirect costs are those that are not clearly associated with an individual project, but are incurred in support of research projects. Indirect costs may include building occupancy, equipment usage, administration, and other overhead activities. Indirect cost rates are negotiable and the SRS only reimburses up to 20 percent of those indirect costs that are in the best interest of the Forest Service Programs.
External Contributions
Many industries and corporations are interested in promoting and contributing to research activities in a variety of fields. The SRS can only accept contributing to research activites in a variety of fields. The SRS can only accept contributions if the specific steps are followed.
- In a letter to the Director of the SRS, contributor describes the type of contribution and identifies the research project for which it is intended. Contributor declares the amount of any monetary contribution in this letter.
- Grants and Agreements staff prepares and sends a collection agreement and a bill for collection to contributor.
- Contributor reviews, signs, and returns the agreement to Grants and Agreement staff.
- When the contribution is monetary, contributor deposits funds before work begins. Advance
payments may be based on estimated costs. Exemptions to making advance payments follow.
- A state or local government unit that is prohibited by its laws or regulations from making advance payments.
- An emergency situation (such as fire, flood, or storm) where work must be done before funds can be deposited. Even in emergency situations, a simple reimbursable agreement can usually be executed.