AHDB SOILS PROGRAMME
Call for Research Partnership: Management for Soil Biology and Soil Health
1. Introduction
AHDB funds research and knowledge exchange (KE) activities across its sectors to address industry challenges, and is now committing further funding to build on its existing soils management programme in order to address gaps identified in its sector research strategies. Details of soil management research and KE activities currently funded by AHDB can be found in the related information section below. An AHDB call on the “Management of Rotations, Soil Structure and Water”, which took place in the last quarter of 2015, is now closed for applications.This current call is for: Management for Soil Biology and Soil Health. The British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) is collaborating with AHDB on this call.
Soil physics, chemistry and biology are interlinked and all play a role in maintaining productive agricultural and horticultural systems. Physical and chemical properties of soil are relatively well understood, and advice on how to assess soil structure, texture and nutrient status is currently available to growers and farmers. Soil biology is key in nearly all areas relating to crop and grassland productivity, due to the processes of decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling. Plus, soil-borne pathogens can cause yield losses, while beneficial organisms can promote plant growth or suppress disease. However, there is a lack of tools and guidance available on managing the biological component of soil.
Interest in soil health has increased in recent years and a range of indicators for soil quality, including biological indicators, have been researched and assessed, although these have not been widely taken up by growers or farmers, or their advisers. There remains a gap in understanding what the key soil health metrics are for the UK, how these can be measured and monitored across a range of systems, and also how to overcome any barriers for uptake.
2. Purpose of the Call
AHDB is looking to fund work to provide farmers and growers with guidance and better understanding of soil biology and key soil health metrics, that have been validated in the field, to improve management for soil health across a range of systems including arable rotations, grassland systems, as well as production systems for perennial crops. This document sets out a call inviting research groups to form a Research Partnership, to submit a proposed programme of research that aims to address challenges identified for the UK agricultural and horticultural industries on the call theme “Management for Soil Biology and Soil Health”.
3. Call Objectives
This call is seeking researchers to form a collaborative Research Partnership, which will be responsible for devising and implementing a new programme of research and knowledge exchange projects on soil health and soil biology. The projects must address the gaps set out in Table 1, addressing strategic and research priorities of the relevant AHDB sectors (see Section 13, Related Information), as well as being achievable within the indicated time frame and allocated budget. The programme of research is anticipated to start in Autumn 2016.
4. Research Partnership Approach
Partnership
There should be one organisation designated as the lead organisation for the Research Partnership. The group size should be manageable, but there is no maximum number of research collaborators that is permitted within the partnership. Prospective partnerships can comprise both research institutes and industrial partners, be multi-disciplinary, and draw on a range of research experience; the group does not necessarily need to have a history of working together previously. Prospective partnerships must be able to demonstrate excellent coordination of projects and integrity of the partnership, and will have a designated project lead. The criteria on which the partnerships will be assessed is outlined in Section 9 below (Assessment of Proposals). Only one partnership will be funded in this call.
Research Collaboration
The partnership should demonstrate synergies with other research partnerships working in a similar area either in the United Kingdom or internationally. Potential for synergies and leveraging other research funding should also be demonstrated e.g. Agri-Tech, SARIC, UK Research Councils.
5. Research Programme Requirements
The projects may be phased to be carried out anytime within the timeframe specified: September 2016 – August 2021, and must be implemented by the successful partnership. There is no minimum or maximum number of projects in the research programme that can be proposed, but they must be achievable in the time frame. Individual projects can be carried out by one or more of the research collaborators, to be determined by the partnership and agreed with AHDB and BBRO (where co-funding is agreed). Projects may be in clearly defined subject areas, and must build upon and add value to AHDB’s current research programmes. The constituent projects must be able to demonstrate the likely outputs on completion and how these will be made available to levy payers, and if applicable what knowledge exchange activity is required. Project deliverables and potential benefits must be clearly identified. The criteria on which the research projects will be assessed is outlined in Section 9 below (Assessment of Proposals).
6. Budget
AHDB is committing circa £200,000 per annum, which will be granted to the successful partnership to spend on an approved research programme over a period of up to five years. Please note that these are indicative costs only: Table 2 includes a break down of budget by AHDB sector and BBRO. The specific requirements for individual sectors will need to be addressed for funds to be committed to the overall programme (please refer to Table 1). BBRO will consider part-funding projects that align with BBRO strategy, supporting at least one of their key pillars of activity; Yield Stability, Yield Progression and Harvest & Storage.
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Table 1: Key gaps to be addressed by projects in the Research Partnership “Management for soil biology and soil health” indicating priority areas for AHDB sectors and BBRO
AHDB Dairy / AHDB Beef Lamb / AHDB Cereals Oilseeds / AHDB Horticulture / AHDB Potatoes / BBROMeasurement and monitoring of soil health, including development of smart tools for use on farm
(see additional note below) / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Improve understanding of the long term impact of soil management systems, using indicators to assess recovery and resilience / ü / ü / ü / ü / ü
Better understanding of soil biology to identify, analyse and manage constraints on production / ü / ü / ü / ü
Better management practices for intractable soil-borne diseases with whole system approach / ü / ü / ü / ü
Managing soil amendments and inputs in horticultural production, and impacts on soil health / ü
Additional Notes:
A specific deliverable for this programme of work is to produce clear guidance on the practical use and interpretation of robust soil health metrics across a range of soil types and production systems for uptake by farmers, growers and other land managers.
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Table 2: Indicative funding by AHDB sector and BBRO
Sector / Total fundingAHDB Cereals & Oilseeds / £345k
AHDB Horticulture / £250k
AHDB Potatoes / £250k
BBRO / £150k
AHDB Beef & Lamb / £50k
AHDB Dairy / £50k
Total funding (over five years) / £1,095k
7. Co-funding
Co-funding including in-kind funding must be clearly identified and stated on the proposal form. For example, funding from UK Research Councils, PGRO, Scottish Government, Innovate UK, and international funding partners. A demonstration of complementary research, either currently with AHDB and/or funded by other organisations or industry should be included.
8. Completion and Submission of the Application Forms
Research Partnership applicants should complete the AHDB Research Partnership proposal form, and an AHDB Short Proposal Form for each project in the proposed research programme. Please refer to the guidance notes for completion of application forms. Applications must be submitted by noon, 28 April 2016.
9. Assessment of Proposals
All submitted proposals will be reviewed by cross-sector research representatives within AHDB, and the respective Research and Knowledge Transfer Committees and industry panels (AHDB Horticulture and BBRO). If required, external peer reviewers may be sought. The selection of the partnership will be an open and fair competition according to AHDB’s procurement policy, which complies with EU state aid rules. The application will be assessed both on the strength of the partnership and the research programme proposed. A Short Proposal Form is required for each of the projects proposed within the research programme, and each will be assessed individually. The criteria for assessment is outlined below, together with the corresponding form sections and relative weightings.
9.1 Research Partnership:
Programme coordination and collaboration (40%) (Research Partnership Proposal Form 3.1, 3.2):
· Whole programme and individual project management, and co-operation of the collaborators in order to deliver the objectives of the research.
· Collaboration with other research groups working in the same area, nationally and internationally.
Expertise and resources (60%) (Research Partnership Proposal Form 3.3, 3.4):
· Extent and range of expertise within the partnership.
· Quality of past contributions to, and impact on, the topic.
· Potential to bring added value through current and/or past contributions.
· Knowledge and expertise to be integrative and interdisciplinary if applicable.
· The collective facilities and resources available to the research programme.
9.2 Research Projects:
Each proposed project will be assessed on the following criteria.
Project demand (25%) (Short Proposal Form 2.1, 2.2):
· Extent to which the project meets the objectives and research priorities outlined.
· Evaluation of current knowledge (appropriate references used) and awareness of other work.
· Evidence of the demand for the project and identification of gaps the project will address.
· Originality and innovation.
· Significant contribution to knowledge base.
Project objectives and technical approach (15%) (Short Proposal Form 3.1, 3.2, 5):
· Clarity and scope of the respective project aims and objectives.
· Quality of the science.
· Clarity and appropriateness of methodology.
· Feasibility of the project and risks identified.
· Demonstration of synergies with other current research projects.
Deliverables and knowledge exchange opportunities (15%) (Short Proposal Form 4.1):
· Identification of new or updated information that will be delivered through the project.
· Quality and value of proposed outputs and activities.
· Clarity of deliverables and appropriate links to KE activities e.g. AHDB soil management guides.
· Any skills and training identified.
Potential benefits and impact (25%) (Short Proposal Form 4.2):
· Economic, environmental and productivity benefits appropriately identified and details on how these will be achieved
· Expected impact including any negative impacts.
· Indication of cost:benefit of the proposed work.
Project costs (20%) (Short Proposal form 6.1-6.3, 7.1):
· Are costs reasonable and necessary?
· Will the total budget be adequate to carry out project activities?
· Is there potential for leveraging other research funding mechanisms, e.g. studentships?
9.3 Selection of projects and review of overall programme
During the assessment stage AHDB reserves the right to request clarifications on the proposals submitted. It is envisaged that this will result in a final programme mutually agreed between the partnership and AHDB. Not all proposed projects submitted by a given partnership may be supported. AHDB may request interviews with potential research partnerships.
10. Decision and notification
Only one partnership will be selected in this call, and all applicants will be notified of the decision on the same date.
11. Terms and conditions
This will be in accordance to the standard AHDB Research Funding Agreement. A multi-party agreement will be required for BBRO co- funded projects.
12. Key Timings
Call process
/Start Date
/End date
Call duration /3 February 2016
/Noon 28 April 2016
AHDB sector Research and Knowledge Transfer Committee meetings / /May-July 2016
Applicants notified of decisions on successful partnerships / /20 July 2016
Start of first projects in the programme / 1 September 2016 / 31 August 202113. Related Information
· AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds: Investing in Innovation Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy (2015-2020) and Priority Matrix
· AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Soils Research Programme
· AHDB Potatoes: Research and Innovation Strategy (2015-2020)
· AHDB Potatoes Soils R&D and Knowledge Transfer
· AHDB Horticulture: Fit for the Future (2013-2018)
· AHDB Horticulture: Project Report CP 107 – A gap analysis of soil management research and knowledge transfer in horticulture to inform future research programmes
· AHDB Horticulture: Project CP 107b – Growing Resilient Efficient and Thriving (GREAT) Soils AHDB Horticulture: Project CP 107c – Precision farming technologies to drive sustainable intensification in horticulture cropping systems
· AHDB Horticulture: Project CP 107d – Development of a Soil Health Management Information System
· AHDB Dairy: Soils RD and Knowledge Transfer
· AHDB Dairy and AHDB Beef & Lamb: http://www.healthygrasslandsoils.co.uk
· AHDB Beef & Lamb: http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/research/
· For details of current BBRO projects please visit www.BBRO.co.uk or contact
14. AHDB Contact
For any queries on this call please contact Dr Amanda Bennett, Research and Knowledge Transfer Manager, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds. email:
Issues of clarification arising during the call will be updated on the website in a Frequently Asked Questions document. Please check for updates during the open period of the call.
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