Active PWTs are able to apply for Special Needs funds. In the financial year starting October 1, 2011, projects will be supported up to a limit of $2,500.  While projects typically are supported by Smith-Lever (extension) funds, projects with an applied research dimension may be eligible for partial Hatch funding. PWTs may apply for Special Needs Funding at any time during the year but funds must be expended by September 30 in the fiscal year of the award.   Proposals should be submitted at least one month before any anticipated projects to allow for approaval and transaction processing.   Applications received after August 1 will be applied to the next fiscal year.  

A further change is that PWTs will be permitted to request funds for projects above the $2,500 limit through the annual federal formula fund proposal process.  Proposals will need to be submitted through the faculty campus co-chair.  Note that such funding will be considered distinct from individual Hatch/Smith Lever projects of the campus co-chair.   

Details on requesting and receiving this support are as follows:

• Please submit a request using the on-line request form, anytime between Oct 1 and August 1. Note that funds must be administered through the campus Co-Chair’s Department and that all approved funds must be expended by September 30. No carry-over of funds is allowed.
• Any PWT is eligible to request/receive these funds, provided it is currently active and has documented its previous activity and related accomplishments via submission of the most current PWT annual report. The deadline for these reports is January 15. 
• Proposals for support of PWT special needs or activities will be accepted through August 1 for activities conducted during the fiscal year ending September 30. Applications received after that date will be considered for the next fiscal year (October 1 - September 30). The open application period is designed to connect funding with the ongoing work and needs of PWT’s. These requests will be reviewed quickly so work can begin immediately. Therefore, submit proposals only when work has been fully planned and a detailed budget prepared. You are urged to discuss the most effective use of this support with other PWT members.
• Requests must be for funding discrete activities or projects closely associated with the PWT's work (e.g., a conference, an evaluation, a resource paper, a small project, some form of follow-up, "next step,” or other core team activity. Requests for funding of unspecified team activities will not be considered.)
• Requests range up to $2,500 and expenditures must be allowable under Smith-Lever Funding (for Extension work) and/or Hatch Funding guidelines (for research components). 
• A report of accomplishments, outcomes or impacts will be expected as part of the annual reporting process.
• When requests are received, the following review and approval process will be followed:
• Betty Stoquert will provide a quick review of budget and highlighting of any concerns based on spending restrictions and minimum proposal requirements.
• The Integrated Program and ResearchTeam reviews and approves the request.
• The appropriate team member(s) will make an evaluation and email his/her recommendation to the rest of the team members.
• Team members have 48 hours from the time that the email is sent to provide comments. Only concerns to be expressed, a no-response being tacit approval of the project.
• A decision about the PWT request is made at the next IPART meeting (biweekly), and the decision conveyed to PWT co-chairs, Betty Stoquert and copied to Dinnie Sloman by the appropriate team member.
• If approved, special project funds will be made available through Cornell Cooperative Extension with an account set up in the campus co-chair’s home department. All funds must be expended by September 30. No carry-over of funds is allowed.   A confirmation letter with budget details is sent to PWT requestors by e-mail.