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.

Definitions of Agreements

The Office of Grants and Agreements...

• Helps Southern Research Station (SRS) employees financially support cooperative research with assistance to States, universities, and other partners to promte innovative
• Provides administrative review of proposal before award to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
• Performs administrative duties, which include awarding projects, disbursing payments to cooperators , collecting funds from external sources, and monitoring the progress and completion of awarded projects

Grant/Agreement Awards

• Potential cooperator/grantee writes proposal, obtains appropriate in-house approvals, and submits it to SRS scientist (representative).
• SRS representative reviews proposal for technical accuracy, completes internal forms SRs-FS-1500a-d , and submits them with proposal to Grants and Agreements staff.
• Grants and Agreements staff reviews proposal package obtains approval by appropriate Assistant Director for Research, and prepares letter of award and other documents to submit to the cooperator/grantee.