Project Collaborators

Collaborators are people or organizations who will bring expertise or provide access to your target audience, but who are not involved in the day-to-day management of the project.

1. Technical expertise – This may include outside experts who can provide detailed technical information for your participants. For example, a lawyer might be a good collaborator for a workshop on estate planning, or an extension Farm Management Specialist might be a good addition to a program on enterprise analysis. Another example would be the use of an established producer who can provide "on the ground" experience.

2. Access to producers – Collaborators can add credibility to your project and help influence producer participation. For example, having a lending institution such as a bank and/or a commodity organization as a collaborator may increase the likelihood that producers will participate. Local individuals with expertise who are known and respected by participants may also be good collaborators.

3. Collaborators from within the region to which you are applying are strongly encouraged.

The regional ERME Center may contact your collaborators, so it is important for them to be able to give a general description of your project and identify their role in it. For each collaborating individual or organization provide: 1) name; 2) organization; 3) email address; 4) phone number; 5) their role and responsibility in the project; 6) what type of contributor they will be; and 7) address conflict of interest if this is an issue.  Based upon that choice, you will be required to upload their required documents as a complete PDF package before you can save that contributor.  You can review the uploaded documents by clicking on the PDF button next to the name.  Identifying meaningful collaborators is a crucial element in submitting a successful Application.

Note: Letters of commitment are required from all consultants and collaborators or their entities. 

Required documents for each type:

• Applicant Organization Member

o Letter of commitment which contains a brief description of what they or the organization will bring to the project, and the specific responsibility that they will have within the project.

• Non-Applicant Organization Member 

o Letter of commitment which contains a brief description of what they or the organization will bring to the project, and the specific responsibility that they will have within the project.

• Consultant

o Letter of commitment which contains a brief description of what they or the organization will bring to the project, the specific responsibility that they will have within the project, and their hours and rate of pay.

o An abbreviated (2 page maximum) resume or curriculum vitae.

• Sub-awards

o A separate sub-award budget form (utilize the ERME Budget Form)

o A separate budget narrative

o A letter of commitment outlining the organization’s statement of work for the project