The Ohio Turfgrass Research Trust (OTRT) is the 501(c)3 charitable arm of the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation. Contributions to OTRT come through an auction held during the OTF Conference and Show each December, but primarily through donations to the Founders Club.

Founders Club donors are among the industry’s leading practitioners and representatives. They receive complimentary admission to various networking events throughout the year, including the Scholarships and Awards Dinner held Monday evening, prior to the conference.

Because of the generous contributions of our donors, we are proudly offering two grants to further the turfgrass industry in Ohio.

DARRAH RESEARCH GRANT

Named in honor of Founders Club Platinum donor, Dr. Charles Darrah of CLC LABS, this grant will be a two-year commitment of up to $7,500 each year.

Darrah Research Grant Requirements

• Applicant(s) must be a turfgrass scientist based in Ohio

• The applicant(s) must be affiliated with an accredited university or college

• The research project must address an industry need in the area of turfgrass science

• Progress/results must be presented during the OTF Conference & Show

• A progress report must be provided for publication in the OTF Field Day report or an edition of OTF Turf News

• Periodic status updates must be provided to the OTRT Grant Committee

Preference will be given to applications that meet the following criteria:

• Applicable to the turfgrass industry as a whole (sports fields, golf, lawn care)

• Projects that would receive additional funding from allied associations

• Produce publishable results in a peer-reviewed journal
  

• Projects that could be showcased at OTF Field Day or other in-person industry events

Darrah Grant Applications must be received by November 15th. The selection committee will notify applicants of their decisions by December 1st.

GREGOIRE OUTREACH GRANT

In recognition of Founders Club Platinum donors, Ryan and Kelly Gregoire of Agricultural Design, a one- time grant of up to $2,500 will be available for short-term projects supporting the turfgrass industry.

Gregoire Grant Requirements

• Program must be completed in the State of Ohio

• Must meet a need of the turfgrass industry, which could be research, extension, outreach, awareness or recruiting

• Results must be presented at the OTF Conference and Show as a printed report or presentation

Gregoire Outreach Grant applications must be received by November 15th. The selection committee will notify applicants of their decisions by December 1st.

OTRT GRANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Proposals must be submitted by mail or email to Mark Bennet, Executive Director, Ohio Turfgrass Research Trust, by the appropriate dates.

mark@bennett-management-llc.com
or
Ohio Turfgrass Foundation
OTRT Grant Committee
1201 Dublin Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Darrah Research Grant Deadline – November 15th

Gregoire Outreach Grant Deadline –November 15th

Proposals should be no more than six pages, single sided and single spaced in 12 point Times New Romans font. Please cover the following within your proposal:

1. Name and organization of primary applicant(s)

2. Short biographical summary of primary applicant(s)
3. Name(s) and organization(s) of others involved with the proposed project

4. Grant which you are applying for

5. Title of your project

6. Description of the problem which the project will address

7. Project description and objectives

8. Description of research methodology (Darrah Grant only)

9. Location(s) of the proposed project

10. Detailed budget for the proposed project

11. If applicable, list of organizations also committed to funding the project

12. Expected results and deliverables at the conclusion of the project

REVIEW PROCESS

Only proposals received by the stated deadline and that contain the required information will be considered. Proposals will be reviewed by the OTRT Grant Committee, which is made up of individuals from multiple sectors of the turfgrass industry.

Proposals will be evaluated on the following:

• Importance of the project in meeting an industry need

• Clearly defined outcomes

• Ability to highlight the project in publications and at events

Thank you for your interest. 

Sincerely,

OTRT Grant Committee

Click here for a PDF version of the grant information