Section R3-9-106. Grants

A.      Grant application process.

1.        The AILRC shall award grants according to the competi- tive grant solicitation requirements of this Article.

2.        The AILRC shall post the grant application and manual on the AILRC’s web site at least four weeks before the due date of a grant application.

3.        The AILRC shall ensure that the grant application manual contains the following items:

a.         Grant topics related to AILRC programs specified by A.R.S. § 3-526.02(B) and (C)(5);

b.        A statement that the information contained in an application is not confidential;

c.         A statement that the AILRC funding source is pri- marily from per carton assessments on iceberg let- tuce grown in Arizona;

d.        An application form including sections about the description of the grant project, scope of work to be performed, an authorized signature line, and a sam- ple budget form;

e.         A statement that the applicant shall not include over- head expenses in the budget for the proposed proj- ect;

f.         The criteria that the AILRC shall use to evaluate an application;

g.        The date and time by which the applicant shall sub- mit an application;

h.        The anticipated date of the AILRC award;

i.         A copy of the AILRC grant solicitation rules; and

j.         Any other information necessary for the grant appli- cation.

4.        The AILRC shall not consider an application received by the AILRC after the due date and time.

B.       Criteria. The AILRC shall consider the following when reviewing a grant application and deciding whether to award AILRC funds:

1.        The applicant’s successful completion of prior research projects,

2.        The extent to which the proposed project identifies solu- tions to current issues facing the iceberg lettuce industry,

3.        The extent to which the proposed project addresses future issues facing the iceberg lettuce industry,

4.        The extent to which the proposed project addresses the findings of any industry surveys conducted within the previous year,

5.        The appropriateness of the budget request in achieving the project objectives,

6.        The appropriateness of the proposal time-frame to the stated project objectives, and

7.        Relevant experience and qualifications of the applicant.

C.      Public participation.

1.        The AILRC shall make all applications available for pub- lic inspection by the business day following the applica- tion due date.

2.        Before awarding a grant, the AILRC shall discuss and evaluate grant applications and proposed projects at a meeting conducted under A.R.S. § 38-431 et seq.

D.      Evaluation of grant applications.

1.        The AILRC may allow applicants to make oral or written presentations at the public meeting if time, applicant availability, and meeting space permit.

2.        The AILRC may modify an applicant’s proposed project in awarding funding.

3.        The AILRC shall notify an applicant in writing of the AILRC’s decision to fund, modify, or deny funding for a proposed project within 10 business days of the AILRC decision. The AILRC shall notify applicants by the U.S. Postal Service, commercial delivery, electronic mail, or facsimile.

E.       Awards and project monitoring.

1.        Before releasing grant funds, the AILRC shall execute a grant award agreement with the awardee. The awardee shall agree to accept the grant’s legal requirements and conditions and authorize the AILRC to monitor the prog- ress of the project by signing a grant award agreement.

2.        The AILRC shall pay no more than 50% of the grant in the initial payment to the awardee.

3.        During the term of the project, the awardee shall inform the AILRC of changes to the awardee’s address, tele- phone number, or other contact information.

4.        The AILRC may require an interim written report or oral presentation from the awardee during the pendency of the project.

5.        The AILRC shall not award grant funds remaining after the initial payment until the awardee submits to the AILRC:

a.         A final research report, and

b.        An invoice for actual final project expenses not exceeding the remaining portion of the award.

6.        The AILRC shall make research findings and reports resulting from any grant awarded by the AILRC available to Arizona iceberg lettuce producers.

F.       Repayment. If the awardee does not complete the project as specified in the grant award agreement, the awardee shall return all unexpended grant funds within 30 days after receipt of a written request by the AILRC.

G.      Governmental units.

1.        The AILRC may request one or more governmental units to submit grant applications as prescribed in subsection (G)(3), without regard to subsections (A), (E)(2), and (E)(5).

2.        The AILRC may issue grants to governmental units with- out regard to subsections (A), (E)(2), and (E)(5).

3.        A governmental unit may apply to the AILRC for a grant when there is no pending request for grant applications under subsection (A) under the following conditions:

a.         The application shall include a description of the project, the scope of work to be performed, a budget that does not include overhead expenses, and an authorized signature.

b.        The application shall be available for public inspec- tion upon receipt by the AILRC.

Historical Note

New Section made by final rulemaking at 12 A.A.R. 208, effective March 11, 2006 (Supp. 06-1). Amended by final

rulemaking at 14 A.A.R. 3658, effective November 8,

2008 (Supp. 08-3).