California Department of Pesticide Regulation

News Release

July 25, 2000 (00-16)

DPR Offers $1.4 Million to Reduce Pesticide Use, Risks

SACRAMENTO -- Seeking the best ideas to cut pesticide use and reduce risks to people and the environment, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) today announced applications are available for about $1.4 million in grants in the coming year.

DPR priorities include finding alternatives to highly toxic pesticides, reducing worker exposure to pesticides, protecting surface and ground water quality, exploring alternatives to methyl bromide and other fumigants, and promoting integrated pest management (IPM) in public schools and other public buildings.

DPR expects to award more than 30 grants during this fiscal year. The Department recently reorganized its grant programs to encourage step-by-step adoption of reduced-risk pest management on the farm and in urban areas. Grants fall into three main categories:

(1) Pest Management Grants help non-profit organizations, private groups, university researchers, government entities, and others address pest management challenges on a local or regional scale. These grants will be awarded for demonstration and applied research projects.

Demonstration projects involve reduced-risk practices on private or public property (such as farms, nurseries, schools, and parks). Grant awards range up to $50,000 per year, with preference for projects that offer matching funds or in-kind services. Funding is available for approximately ten projects. Applied research projects will generate the data needed to develop future demonstration projects. Grant recipients qualify for up to $30,000 per year, and funding is available for about eight applied research projects. Pest Management Grant applications are due by October 6.

(2) Pest Management Evaluations provide a bridge to DPR's next grant level, which typically involves a two-year process. In the first year, interested groups apply for DPR assistance to evaluate their existing pest management systems, with an emphasis on reduced-risk methods. Groups that qualify for evaluations may receive one-time DPR funding of up to $10,000, and funding is available for up to ten evaluations. (Evaluation applications are due by September 14.)

Recipients then work with DPR staff to complete their evaluations, which are a prerequisite for Pest Management Alliance proposals in the second year.

(3) Pest Management Alliances are broad-based, public-private partnerships that address major pest management issues. Applicants who successfully complete evaluations and meet other DPR criteria may apply for Alliance grants of up to $100,000 per year. At a minimum, applicants must match their DPR grants dollar-for-dollar. Funding is available for approximately eight to ten projects. Alliance applications are due by November 1.

More detailed information on each grant option is included in the request for proposals (RFP). Instructions for downloading complete RFP packages can be found online at <http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/dprgrants.htm>. Interested parties may also obtain an RFP from Bob Elliott by phone (916) 324-4100, e-mail <belliott@cdpr.ca.gov> or fax (916) 324-4088.

(Click here to get RFP in pdf file)

Since 1995, DPR has awarded almost $5 million in grants to promote reduced-risk pest management practices.