FSG -- Preparing Statements of Interest



C. Preparing Statement of Interest 2008-2009 Biennial Core Program

Statements of Interest are limited in length to the equivalent of three 8 1/2 x 11 pages, single-spaced text, using standard, 12-point type size and 1-inch margins. To assist your preparation, Florida Sea Grant makes a worksheet available as a Microsoft Word document. The three-page document will print longer than three pages after entered into the website form. This is not a problem. Download Statement of Interest worksheet. (MS Word document, right click to save)

A one-page biographical data sheet must be submitted for each project's principal investigator, co-principal investigator, and associate investigator. This information is not to be counted toward the three-page maximum given to the description of each proposed project. Co-principal investigators and associate investigators may submit a Biographical Data Sheet at a separate time from a project's Statement of Interest submission, but before the submission deadline, February 21, 2007, 4:00 p.m. EST. Obtain the Statement of Interest's unique "SI Number" from the project's Principal Investigator. Download Biographical Data worksheet. (MS Word document, right click to save)

Complete the Statement of Interest and Biographical Data worksheets offline, save copies to your personal computer, then cut and paste your responses into the corresponding fields on the Statement of Interest Submission and the Biographical Data pages. Save the original documents in case there is a question we must contact you to answer.

It is strongly recommended you have your Statement of Interest prepared before you begin the online submission process. Once you submit your Statement of Interest, you will not be able to retrieve and modify the information. For this reason, we encourage you to read all supporting information and directions.

INSTRUCTIONS: You must use each of the following 12 headings, in sequence, to provide the information requested. No figures, graphical images, or tables can be used. About mathematical notations.

1. PROJECT TITLE: (Please make this succinct while also reflecting the anticipated application, opportunity or need to be addressed, or problem to be solved. It should clearly relate to a Florida Sea Grant priority area and program goal.)

2a. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(s): (Faculty name, academic department, institution)

2b. CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(s): (Faculty name, academic department, institution)

2c. ASSOCIATE INVESTIGATOR(s): (Faculty name, academic department, institution)

3. PROPOSED BUDGET:	Year 1:	Sea Grant: $__________	Year 1 Match: $__________
(Round to nearest $1000)	Year 2:	Sea Grant: $__________	Year 2 Match: $__________
(No commas)

One non-federal dollar match -- "hard" or "in-kind" -- must be provided by grantee for every two dollars requested from Sea Grant; round to nearest $1000 (no commas). Prepare the budget estimate thoughtfully. (A full proposal budget request exceeding the SI budget request will reduce the competitiveness of the full proposal.)

4. GOAL: Describe the overall contribution the proposed effort would make to advance the Sea Grant mission of enhancing economic leadership, ensuring sustainable use and conservation of coastal resources, property and environments, and creating skilled professionals and informed citizens. As appropriate, state the general hypothesis to be tested.

5. RATIONALE: Describe the problem or opportunity using quantitative information. This section should document the magnitude of the situation, and the relevance of the issue or problem to Florida, regional, and national needs, and Florida Sea Grant priorities. Describe what makes this project innovative. Why is this topic important? As warranted or required, discuss pilot data that establish a basis for this line of research. Projects that ultimately contribute to environmental sustainability, job creation and economic competitiveness fare best.

6. OBJECTIVES: Number and list the objectives. The objectives should begin with the word "To" followed by a verb. In keeping with Sea Grant's mission, the most appropriate verbs are: test (the hypothesis), develop, provide, determine, enhance, isolate, characterize, identify, restore, implement. Less desirable but sometimes appropriate are verbs such as: promote, conduct, analyze, apply, describe. Some, such as study, consider, continue, should not be used since failure to do these is not determinable. Do not list methods or say the aim is "to get a better understanding." Proposals that state objectives so that their achievement can be measured will fare best in review.

7. RESEARCH DESIGN AND SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENT: Describe the overall project design. How will the hypothesis be tested? Identify specific methodology and major aspects such as replication, sampling, surveys, etc. Describe how this work would add to the body of knowledge in your scientific discipline. How might it build on a pilot study? What is the national significance of this idea?

8. USERS, PARTICIPANTS AND CO-SPONSORS: Identify the specific technical or lay interests (e.g., business, agency) that would participate in or be affected by such a project. Describe their confirmed or potential role (e.g., matching funds, vessel time, personnel). Proposals that explicitly identify co-sponsors rank more highly.

9. EXPECTED RESULTS, APPLICATIONS AND BENEFITS: Describe the expected outcomes of the project. If the objectives are attained, how would the problem to be solved create new commercial opportunities, improve technological and economic efficiency, improve management decisions, etc.? What Florida, regional or national impact is envisioned?

10. FORMAT AND DELIVERY OF RESULTS: Describe how information from the project will be reported and disseminated (e.g., journal articles, testimony, Sea Grant Extension). If appropriate, please indicate what if any collaboration with FSG Extension faculty is planned for outreach, give specific names.

11. LINKS TO OTHER PROJECTS: How will this project coordinate with any other research or extension/outreach? Such projects may be local or statewide, or may be part of a regional Sea Grant effort (i.e., funded cooperatively with at least one other Sea Grant program). Multi-disciplinary efforts are encouraged; projects that tag-on other long-term or funded projects for "more data collection" do not fare well.

12. REFERENCES CITED: Limit to just a few highly relevant references. (Counts toward 3-page limit.)

Biographical Data Sheet: You must also complete a one-page biographical data sheet for principal, co-principal and/or associate investigators. Use the worksheet provided and fill in all blanks. This will help to evaluate qualifications and past performance, consistent with stage of career. Use only this one-page form. It is completed after you submit the Statement and are given your SI number. (MS Word document, right click to save)

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