About Multistate Research
General The concept of Multistate research was developed by the directors of the State Agricultural Experiment Stations (SAES) to stimulate and facilitate interstate cooperation on research of a regional and national character, both among SAESs, the USDA, and other publicly supported research agencies. The research focuses on a specific and important problem or concern to two or more states.
Multistate Research
- brings together competent scientific talent to work on a "multistate" problem,
- resolves, by team effort, problems too costly in manpower and/or funds for a single state AES to attack.
- facilitates the interpretation and application of research results for the solution of a problem,
- brings about stimulation and exchange of ideas and research approaches by scientists consulting and working together.
The Hatch Act (P.L. 84-352) authorizes a Multistate Research Fund (MRF) to support cooperative multistate research by SAES. Although MRF allotments are available on to SAES directors, an MRF allotment is not required for participation. Regional research may be financed with funds from any source. All contributing research is recorded in the Current Research Information System (CRIS).
Philosophy of
Multistate Research
Philosophically, the intent of regional research is to concentrate resources
for a specified period of time on a specific effort that has received
high priority from a North Central Administrative (NCA) Committee and
the North Central Directors. If the multistate research project is considered
significant for Michigan and multistate funding is available, the MAES
generally will make a five year commitment to that project.
At the end of this period, funds revert back to the multistate research pool for reallocation to other multistate projects. If the multistate project is revised, it will be in competition for funding from other multistate research projects at that time.
Participation
in Multistate Projects
Participation in a multistate research project can happen in a variety
of ways. The handbook from CSREES indicates that the SAES director is
approached regarding the appropriateness of the intended research. Currently,
the MAES Assistant Director works with the MAES Director, Associate Directors
and appropriate Department Chairpersons/Directors to determine if this
station should participate and to identify the MAES faculty member whose
involvement would be most beneficial. Then, a discussion about the expected
role of the representative, the resources, the number of scientist years
(SY), professional years (PY), and technical years (TY) necessary to participate
on the committee is conducted with the prospective representative.
While this is the usual procedure, it often works in the exact opposite direction. In either case, the MAES faculty member and department chair must work in concert with the MAES to decide on participation.
Funding
Multistate research funds come from the federal government. The MAES is
given an allocation and asked to distribute it among the projects, being
sure to report the distribution back to Washington. From these funds,
we also need to cover all the travel costs of the Michigan representatives
to their year meetings.
Generally, the department chair is sent information regarding which projects are eligible for funding. They are requested to review the information and to recommend distribution. We will review their response and contact the department chairs when there are questions.
The funding is given a unique account number from the CANR Budget and Finance Office. The funds are designated for the fiscal year of October 1 to September 30. This generally means 3/4 of the funds are allocated for October 1 to June 30. Funds remaining on June 30 are carried forward and added to the remaining 1/4 of funds. All funds must be spent or returned on September 30.
These funds can be used for operating and/or salaries. The MAES requires that only graduate assistantship salaries be charged to these accounts. MAES does not intend for these funds to be used to offset faculty salaries.
Funds can only be released when the regional project proposal has been approved in Washington and the corresponding project paperwork has been approved by the CSREES system (and we have documentation to this effect). If these two approvals have been received and a project was recommended for funding and no funds have yet been released, please contact the MAES.
Travel Policies
More About Multistate Research
