Equipment Seed Grant

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture
Application Deadline: March 30, 2026

Overview

The Department of Agronomy and Horticulture has limited funding available to support strategic equipment purchases that advance the department’s teaching, research, and Extension mission and align with departmental priorities. The Equipment Seed Grant in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture is intended to catalyze research, teaching, and Extension innovation by supporting the acquisition of essential instruments, tools, and technologies. This program provides strategic, small-scale funding to help teaching, research, and/or Extension faculty teams obtain equipment that enhances data quality, increases research capacity, and strengthens hands-on learning and outreach activities across agronomic and horticultural crop production systems.

Priority will be given to equipment that:

• Strengthens teaching, research, extension, and/or integrated activities.
• Enhances shared capacity across programs or faculty.
• Supports emerging and priority areas identified in the department’s strategic framework (e.g., student experiential learning, applied research, stakeholder engagement, and/or workforce development).

There is no limit on the number of requests an individual faculty or program may submit; however, funding decisions will consider balance across departmental mission, programs, and strategic priorities.

Timeline 

Eligibility

• Lead PI: Any tenure-track, tenured, or specialty track faculty member in the department of Agronomy and Horticulture.

Funding & Duration

• Award Size: Maximum $15,000 (typical range: $5,000–$15,000); Total available funding: ~$100,000)
• Allowable Costs: Funds may be used to buy equipment for laboratory, field, or greenhouse work. Equipment funds are restricted to equipment purchases only and may not be used for personnel costs (technicians or students), travel, or operating expenses.
• Limit: Limit two requests per faculty. Funding decisions will consider balance across departmental missions, programs, and strategic priorities. Applicants are encouraged to consult Michael Livingston for laboratory equipment and TJ McAndrew for field equipment regarding bids and vendor information

Application Materials 

Proposals must be no more than one page of 11-12 pt font with one inch margins. Each request must include:

• A vendor quote or bid with accurate and current cost information. 
• Evidence of shared or programmatic benefits, when applicable.

Request Information

1. Requested by:
   (Name, title, program)
2. Equipment item requested:
   (Brief description and intended use)
3. Bid amount for equipment cost:
   (Attach vendor quote)
4. Alignment and impact:
   Describe how the equipment supports departmental priorities and advance teaching, research, and/or extension activities.
5. Joint-use potential:
   Describe opportunities for shared use across faculty, courses, programs, or extension activities. If appropriate, indicate whether a user or service center fee will be established to support ongoing functionality, maintenance, and future upgrades of the equipment.

All requests must be submitted through the department's online submission portal. Each equipment request must be submitted as a separate application. 

Questions may be directed to David Holding or Amit Jhala.

Review Considerations 

• Alignment with departmental priorities and mission 
• Contribution to teaching, research, and/or extension capacity 
• Shared-use potential across faculty, courses, or programs 
• Readiness and accuracy of budget and vendor documentation