Western SARE Sabbatical Research and Education Grant

Western SARE Sabbatical Grants provide an opportunity for faculty around the world to partner with farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals, and researchers of the Western U.S. region for conducting research, education, and Extension activities. Projects focused on unexplored topics in underserved communities and understudied geographic locations are of special interest.

Eligible Applicants

Researchers eligible for a Sabbatical Leave who have the support of their home institution (hereafter Home Institution) and who have demonstrated expertise in sustainable agriculture research and education/outreach are eligible to apply for a Western SARE Sabbatical Grant. While applicants for a Western SARE Sabbatical Grant could reside outside the Western region of the United States, including foreign countries, all research and education activities should be conducted within the Western U.S. region.Applications should be done in association with a primary Host Institution located within the Western region, including non-governmental organizations. Having additional collaborating institutions and research sites in the Western U.S. region is allowed.

Agricultural Producer

Proposals must include at least one Agricultural Producer at the state or protectorate where the Sabbatical will take place. The producer(s) should be involved in all aspects of the project from idea inception through completion and dissemination of results. Each producer must be an independent and separate operator. Non-profits do not count as one of the required producers. A person qualifies as a producer (farmer/rancher) if they have a for-profit operation and:

• Their primary occupation is farming or ranching and have a farm/ranch taxpayer identification number (TIN); or

• They are a part-time producer with at least $1,000 documented annual income from farming or ranching activities.

Projects may be between 6 months and 1 year in length. Funds to support personnel salary, travel, and supplies, where justified, are allowed. Western SARE Sabbatical grants can request up to $75,000. Sabbatical grants are non-renewable and nonextendable beyond one-year period.

• 2021 Call for Proposals

• USDA Grant Policies