The Peanut Research Foundation (PRF) is soliciting research proposals, especially those that address disease resistance (initially focusing on leafspot), aflatoxin, drought tolerance and flavor conservation. Funding for projects generally is $10,000 to $100,000, but there are no strict limitations; approximately one-third of funds are earmarked for aflatoxin research.
Due to market resistance, the foundation does not fund research leading to GMO peanut cultivars.
The PRF funds research projects that develop germplasm or technologies that can be used by breeding programs to release cultivars with desirable traits and may also support breeding programs which utilize marker-assisted selection to incorporated desirable traits into agronomically acceptable cultivars.
Evaluation criteria include: scientific merit; relevance to the advancement of the U.S. peanut industry; estimated timeline for the availability; release or commercial application of anticipated products from the research; availability of equipment and facilities; probability of success; and appropriateness of the budget.
All researchers receiving Peanut Research Foundation funding are expected to attend and report progress during the American Peanut Council Winter Conference which will be held in December 2021 in Washington, D.C. Proposals may address multiple areas listed above but must not exceed 10 pages.
Proposals are due by Oct. 30. Go to the Peanut Research Foundation website for more info.