APPLICATION PACKAGE

Application Process

Applications may be submitted at any time to the Council and will be reviewed quarterly, the month following the deadlines dates of March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. Applicants for research projects may choose to submit a letter-of-intent for review in advance of a formal complete application.

Who Can Apply?

• individuals and partnerships;
  
• commercial and non-profit organizations;
  
• industry associations;
  
• agencies, boards and councils; and
  
• Universities, municipal governments, and government research and/or development agencies.

Applications Review and Assessment Process

1. Application is received, recorded, assigned an identification number, and reviewed for completeness. Additional information is requested for incomplete applications.

2.  Application is reviewed for its merit; consultations with outside expertise may be sought. Applications will be assessed, considering the following:

• consistence with BCID Fund priorities
• benefits to the beef industry such as increased producer incomes, increased marketing, improved value-added processing, improved environmental impacts and improved production/processing systems;
• the project's commercial viability and profitability;
• duplication of projects, funding or work done elsewhere
• other funding programs for which the project may be eligible
• the experience, financial ability and capability of the applicant to undertake the project
• peer review may be requested of applicants for research funding

3.    Funding agreements are signed with the successful applicants. Agreement includes terms to outline timing of reports and funding conditions, monitoring and evaluation procedures.

Project Monitoring

Administration - records and tracks all reports, expenses and advances made for each project and to send reminders if required reports or statements are not received in the times agreed to in the contract.

Project Monitor - The funding agreement may include the appointment of a Project Monitor who will assist the applicant in fullfilling the reporting requirements and in verifying for the CIDC, various project details.

Project Site Visits - visits or meetings with the applicant may be undertaken to assess the project progress and to assist with any decisions should the project not be proceeding as planned. Such visits also assist in determining how the results could be communicated to the industry.