The North American Bramble Growers Research Foundation, Inc. (NABGRF) seeks proposals for caneberry research for the year 2023. Special consideration will be given to proposals related to the specific priorities established for this round of funding as shown below. Please note that position on this list does not represent ranking within the priorities. Proposals will be accepted from universities and institutions in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The deadline for proposals for 2023 grants is January 13, 2023.
Pest Management Strategies
- Evaluation of new pesticides (insecticides, fungicides and herbicides, including biological pesticides) for blackberry and raspberry production
- Non-chemical strategies for pest control
- Management of spotted wing drosophila (SWD), lantern fly and other emerging pests
- Soil borne disease and nematode management
- Investigation of virus resistance and management
Production Efficiency and Profitability
- Management of blackberries and raspberries in tunnels, greenhouses, controlled environments and shade structures (pruning, training and trellis systems)
- Post-harvest handling for small farmers
- Pruning and training systems to improve production
- Using horticultural management techniques, equipment, or improved cultivars to support harvest mechanization in fresh market
- Development of cultural practices to aid in extreme climate/weather events
- Fertility management
- Pruning practices for primocane-fruiting blackberries
- Management systems that reduce labor inputs
Cultivar Development and Testing
- Breeding for tolerance to environmental issue
- Breeding for controlled environments or season extension
- Breeding for reduced blackberry red drupelet reversion
- Black raspberry development, including thornlessness and earlier/later ripening cultivars
Special Needs
- Marketing
- Product development for caneberry value added products
- Health benefits research
Since 1999, NABGRF has funded a total of 114 proposals totaling $312,879. Funding for individual projects is expected to range from $2,000-$5,000. In order to expedite the process, we ask that your request stay within this range. Please note that the NABGRF does not pay overhead or “indirect” costs.
Proposals will be reviewed by the Research Committee of the NABGRF., which will meet in January 2023, prior to the 2023 North American Raspberry Conference (January 22-24, 2023). The Research Committee forwards their recommendations to the NABGRF Board of Trustees, which makes the final funding decisions. Notice of awards will be sent out in March 2023. For more information, email either of the NABGRF Research Coordinators, Patrick Byers.
The deadline for proposals for 2023 grants is January 13, 2023. Email your proposal as a PDF file to byerspl@missouri.edu by this date.
See the Proposal Guidelines