HRI: Research Grants

Sponsor: Horticultural Research Institute (HRI)

Since 1962, the Horticultural Research Institute has directed over $4 million of industry funds to some 600 research projects covering the full range of production, environmental and business issues important to trade.

Important Information about HRI Grants

HRI strives to fund research that specifically deals with green industry related issues. HRI-supported projects focus on significant problems, regulatory issues or emerging opportunities in the nursery and landscape industry, encourage environmentally responsible management practices, increase nursery crop producers' business or financial expertise or improve and expand the market for plant material. HRI seeks to support research that has definable outcomes and represents a return on investment for the green industry.

RESEARCH PRIORITIES

Horticulture Management

• Production related issues.

• Propagation related issues.

• Retail and landscape distribution issues.

• Irrigation management issues.

• Chemical use and improved spray application issues.

New Plant Development

• Invasive species issues reduced with development of new species through the use of genetics.

• Market demand and retail distribution through the development of new plants with desirable characteristics.

• Nursery production problems on difficult to grow selections.

Marketing Research & Business Development

• Market demographics and trends

• Research related to market size and trends (helpful when dealing with regulatory and legislative issues)

• Research related to consumer purchasing habits and trends (i.e. branding)

Mechanization and Applied Technology

• Labor reduction and efficiency issues.

• The use of new technologies in horticulture issues.

• Ergonomic issues.

• New machinery and related technology issues.

Pest Management

• Invasive plant species issues.

• Exotic insect pest and disease issues.

• Weed control issues.

• Improved chemical use and delivery method issues.

• The use of biocontrol issues.

Resource Management

• Substrate/media constituent issues.

• Labor and efficiency issues.

• Water management, runoff and irrigation issues.

• Fertility issues.

• Land use issues.

Amount: Varies

Deadline: May 15, 2007

For further information, please visit: http://www.anla.org/research/grants/index.htm