Research and Development Funding Programs

Solicitations for proposals for the Supplemental Funding Awards for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 and the Targeted Economic Development Funding Awards for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 were published on February 20, 2011. Supplemental Funding Awards for Fiscal Year 2011-2012

The Department of Research and Development annually solicits proposals for projects or activities that support sustainable economic development for Hawaii County in its program areas of agriculture, tourism, film, community capacity building, and new industry. The Solicitation for Proposals described below reflects the Department's goals to support economic development programs proposed by community organizations, research and educational institutions and government agencies.

Agriculture

The Department awards supplemental funding in the range of $2,000 to $7,000 for agricultural projects that expand the market for Hawaii County's products, and create private-public partnerships for agricultural research and infrastructure and agriculture extension programs. Funding is awarded in the following areas: 1) innovative agricultural research; 2) research in areas of urgent interest to the agricultural community; 3) agricultural marketing research and promotion of products; and 4) collection and dissemination of agricultural information.  Commodity groups may form consortia to submit integrated marketing proposals. The maximum funding that can be awarded to these consortia projects is $50,000.

Community Capacity Building

The Department awards supplemental funding in the range of $3,000 to $20,000 for capacity building projects (training, workshops, promotion) related to green jobs, green building, community food systems, family asset building, and civic engagement.

Film

The Department awards supplemental funding in the range of $1,000 to $3,000 for film and media projects that 1) help to stimulate or lead to local economic activity in the fields of film or media production; 2) promote training, skills development, or educational opportunities in film to students or professionals for workforce development; and 3) build broad based support for, awareness of, or appreciation of a diverse island wide "film community." Please note that these awards do not fund actual physical film production.

New Industry

The Department awards supplemental funding in the range of $2,000 to $10,000 for projects that support, promote, and help to build Hawaii Island's science and technology sector. Projects in the following areas will be considered: 1) Development of cluster networks of existing trade and professional groups that support key technology segments; 2) Training and information programs on commercialization of research for technology-based entrepreneurial companies; and 3) Promotion and support for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

The Department's primary focus is on the science and technology sector, however the following project that foster the following community-based economic development initiatives will be considered: 1) Development of heritage corridors; 2) Dissemination of business related information that will enable businesses to expand, diversify and compete; 3) Development of the local workforce; and 4) Community economic development projects and/or leadership capacity building training programs.

Tourism

The Tourism Program's work is guided by the goals and objectives of the Hawaii Island Tourism Strategic Plan: 2006-2015. Supplemental Funding for a comprehensive marketing and promotional program that includes: expansion of direct air service to the island; coordinated Convention, meetings and Incentive (CMI) market initiatives; public relations and media outreach; advertising; and on-island visitor information support services will be considered. In addition awards in the range of $5,000 to $20,000 will be considered for 1) sporting events with a record as a large visitor draw; and 2) greetings programs ar our points of entry (harbors and airports) in conjunction with the appropriate state and county agencies.

Please note that programs currently receiving support through any of the Department of Research and Development's program areas or the Hawaii Tourism Authority's County Product Enrichment Program will not be considered.

Targeted Economic Development Funding Awards for Fiscal Year 2010-2011

The Department of Research and Development is soliciting proposals for targeted economic development projects from community organizations, research and educational institutions and government agencies that support sustainable economic development for Hawaii County. Proposals must address and support the goals and objectives of the Department's program areas of agriculture and new industry. Applicants may submit separate proposals for any number of these projects. Funded projects under this solicitation must begin prior to June 30, 2011.

Agriculture

Development of the Hawaii Island Agricultural Web Site

The purpose of this project is to revise and expand the existing agriculture website \\coh01\cohweb\bigislandag\default.htm as a comprehensive information clearinghoue and repository of agriculture-related information specific to Hawaii and capable of linking to existing agriculture-related websites and other pertinent websites that affect the Hawaii agriculture industry. Proposals must include a work plan, rationale and timeling that describe: (a) choice of platfor(s); (b) data and information collection plan, including documenting authors' permissions for linking to and/or posting materials; and (c) method for ongoing updates and revisions. Successful proposers should: have sufficient web development and social media skills to accomplish the proposed scope of work; capacity to consult with the County Department of Information Technology if needed; and ability to upload and update all content. Maximum funding for this project is $35,000.

Baseline Study for Food Sustainability in Hawaii County

The purpose of this project is to establish a baseline for measuring progress toward food sustainability in Hawaii County through the collection and organization of relevant data on food consumption, local food production and agricultural land use. The study would serve as a framework to measure progress toward food sustainability and aid in the development of regional and County-wide strategies to enhance Hawaii County's capacity to set reasonable goals for the production of food for local consumption. Proposals must include plans to: (a) review existing County and State documents and materials related to food sustainability; (b) data collection and analyses of existing agricultural production by districts and type of crops; food consumption patterns of both locally-produced and imported fresh and frozen food items by residents and visitors; current inventory and future need of resources such as land, water, labor, energy and production inputs and infrastructure that are necessary to increase local food production; and (c) identify, analyze and map using GIS overlay, the areas in Hawaii County that are currently in production as well as areas that have high potential for future production of crops and livestock. Maximum funding for this project is $65,000.

New Industry

Hawaii Island Consumer Education Campaign Pilot

The purpose of this project is to support and cultivate locally owned business by initiating a public information campaign that communicates to all Hawaii Island consumers how their purchasing choices affect their families, the local community, and the broader economy. To accomplish this, the Department seeks a marketing strategy that includes multiple delivery channels for the widest possible reach, along with a meaningful evaluation plan. This initiative is not intended to compete with or be confused with existing "Buy Local" campaigns; therefore, proposers should be prepared to develop a distinct, consistent, recognizable and informative "brand" that can be delivered through numerous media venues and public outreach settings.

Proposals must include a comprehensive plan and timeline for the following work products: (1) Design the public information campaign strategy (including branding and a strategic assessment of the most effective media resources including social medai); (2) Develop and evauluation instrument; and, (3) design, implement and evaluate a pilot campaign. The successful prpoposer will be expected to work in close consultation with the Program Specialist, and collaboration with existing economic- and business-development organizations is preferred. Maximum funding for this project is $25,000.