Recipient Organization
UNIV OF MARYLAND
(N/A)
COLLEGE PARK,MD 20742
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The Technical Industry Advisory Committee develops research and extension priorities based on industry input defining their needs. A Request for Proposals is developed by the TIAC andapproved by the NRAC Board of Directors. Proposals are competively submitted by qualified research and extension people and the proposal are reviewed both internally and externally. The reviews are based on good science, applicability of the proposal to the priorities in the RFA, regional nature of the proposal and related criteria. The highest rated proposals are then submitted by the TIAC to the BOD for approval. Approved projects are included in the Plan of Work submitted to USDA, NIFA for approval. If approved by NIFA, NRAC prepares contracts to the home institution of the principal investigator to fund the project. The project is then carried out by the investigators according to the plan in the approved proposal and results are reported to NRAC and distributed as widely as possible through websites, extension activities and other means. Specific results depend on the project funded and the problem defined. However, all projects are relevant to the aquaculture industry in the Northeast US and address a problem defined by the industry as a constraint on industry development.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
100%
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The goal of NRAC is to develop and support aquaculture research, development, demonstration and extension education activities, which will enhance viable and profitable aquaculture production in the northeastern United States. The program's specific objectives are to: Support outstanding aquaculture research and Extension programs in the northeastern region; Provide a nucleus for information exchange between the aquaculture industry and researchers and Extension personnel in the region; Encourage cooperation and collaboration among diverse institutions and organizations in the region; Complement and strengthen existing aquaculture research and Extension educational programs within USDA and other public andprivate institutions; Act as a mechanism for assessing needs, establishing priorities, and implementing regional research and extension programs in aquaculture; Facilitate administration and implementation of cooperative regional research and Extension educational programs in aquaculture; Help build research and Extension linkages in the region; Help coordinate interregional and national programs; Implement Center programs by using existing regional linkages already in place within USDA's science and education activities; Encourage public, non-profit institutional, and industry participation in center programs. The ultimate goal is to improve the economic and social well-being of the aquaculture industry within the northeast by providing value-added research that improved profitability and efficiency.
Project Methods
The NRAC committees and Board of Directors have not yet approved projects for this funding. When approved, projects' Efforts will include acts or processes that deliver science-based knowledge to people through formal or informal educational programs. Examples include: formal classroom instruction, laboratory instruction, or practicum experiences; development of curriculum or innovative teaching methodologies; workshops; experiential learning opportunities; extension and outreach. Evaluation will include demonstrating that evaluation will be part of our project meaning that NRAC will describe the plan/steps to be used to evaluate or "measure" the success of the project. We will provide a listing of the types of evaluation studies planned and types of data that will be collected, emphasizing key milestones and measurable or quantitative indicators of success. The project evaluation plan will relate milestones and indicators of success to expected project outcomes/accomplishments and impacts.