ERME RFA – How to Apply
The 2025 ERME Request for Applications (RFA)
The North Central Extension Risk Management Education Center, in conjunction with the Northeast, Southern and Western regional ERME centers announces the availability of grant funds and requests the submission of applications. This competitive funding opportunity focuses on educational projects designed to help agricultural producers improve their economic viability through targeted risk management strategies. The Center expects to award grants through three program areas – Education Projects, Producers Underserved by Crop Insurance Projects, and Exploratory Projects.
Education Projects
This funding opportunity focuses on educational projects designed to help agricultural producers improve their economic viability through targeted risk management strategies. Proposed educational programming must address at least one of the five areas of risk: production, marketing, financial, legal or human. The maximum amount of requested funding shall not exceed $75,000 for 18-month projects to be conducted between April 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026.
Producers Underserved by Crop Insurance Projects
This funding opportunity is specifically designated for the delivery of risk management education to agricultural producers underserved by the Federal crop insurance program; with proposed educational programming that aligns with one or more of the five areas of risk: production, marketing, financial, legal, or human. The maximum amount of requested funding shall not exceed $100,000 for 18-month projects to be conducted between April 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026.
Exploratory Projects
This funding opportunity focuses on smaller, simplified projects for the purpose of initiating ideas through producer education programs which address farmer/rancher risk management education needs. Exploratory projects can be used to organize and host a producer education workshop(s) or conference or be used for development projects that lead to future application in other funding categories.
Webinar presentation materials from the Applicant Training Webinar held on Oct 10, 2024, can be found below:
2025 RFA Applicant Webinar - Recording and Presentation
Please contact clockert2@unl.edu for more information.
Recent needs assessment reports provide some insight into issues and challenges facing agricultural producers at the present time and some supporting material behind the priority issues identified in the RFA.
- NCERMEC Producer Risk Management Education Needs Assessment - September 2024
- Assessing Producer Risk Management Education Needs for Special Emphasis and Underserved Audiences - September 2024
Other Useful Resources To Help With Your Grant Application
- NIFA Fact Sheet - 20 Tips For Grant Writing Success
- Outcome & Evaluation Methodology by Brad Lubben
- Documenting Success through Performance Measures
How to Apply
- RFA: Download and read the 2025 North Central ERME RFA thoroughly depending on your plans for submission.
- Resources: View the Application Resources which have been developed to help applicants prepare a successful proposal, and which provide a full explanation for every item requested in the application. Applicants are especially encouraged to utilize the Application Tutorial.
- Registration Information: If you are already registered in the RVS, skip to step 4. To register, use this link to access the Extension Risk Management Education Results Verification System. Select “Create New Account” and complete the form in order to create a new account. A registration confirmation containing a link back into the system will be sent via email. (If you do not receive the confirmation email within 15 minutes, please check your spam folder.) To complete your registration, visit the enclosed link.
- RVS: Login to RVS (rvs.umn.edu) using your email address and password, which will take you to the “My Projects” page. To begin a new Application, select “Start New Project Application” to see all available funding opportunities. Click the “North Central ERME” tab to see all North Central funding opportunities.
- Category: Select the appropriate grant category (2025 Education Projects, 2025 Exploratory Projects, or 2025 Producers Underserved by Crop Insurance Projects) and click “Apply for this Grant”.
- Enter the project information, including: Project Title; Project Director email, Institution Mailing Address, and Financial Contact. You will have the opportunity to edit or update this information once you have created the application.
- Complete each section in the Table of Contents on the left sidebar and follow the Instructions accessible on each page of the application via the question mark (?) icon.
- Exploratory Project Instructions: If you are completing an Exploratory Project application, review these special tips to assist you in completing the application.
Whenever you wish to continue working on your Proposal, return to the Extension Risk Management Education Results Verification System and login. Your active projects will be listed on the “My Projects” page. You may edit your proposal by clicking on the pencil icon.
Important Dates for Funding Process
November 16, 2024: All applications are due on-line no later than 5:00 PM Central.
February 14, 2025: Award Notification.
Contact Christine Lockert, clockert2@unl.edu or 402-472-2039 if you have any questions or need more information about this Extension Risk Management Education program.