Initiatives
Innovative Grants Program
The Innovative Grants Program was developed in 2022 to provide seed funding for novel and creative projects within the field of weed science. The program aims to support initiatives that explore new ideas and approaches not currently funded by other WSSA programs. By offering financial support for innovative research and outreach efforts, the program encourages the development of groundbreaking solutions to challenges in weed management and related areas. This initiative reflects WSSA’s commitment to advancing the science of weed management by fostering innovation and supporting the exploration of new ideas that can lead to significant advancements in the field.
When the total asset calculation of the U.S. Bank checking account exceeds $1,500,000 on the last day of April following the annual meeting, a call for proposals will be posted to the WSSA membership (regular and student members) and all WSSA Committees.
Deliverables if Awarded the Grant
- Annual Update
- Due June 15th
- Includes information on:
- How has this funding been useful to you? Please provide specific details.
- If/how has this funding been useful in leveraging additional grants?
- Final Report
- Due prior to the annual WSSA meeting after completion of the project
- Abstract ~500 words that should include figures and/or tables
- Poster or Oral Presentation at annual WSSA meeting
Process and Timeline
Innovative Grants Program Awardees
| wdt_ID | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Year | Pl | University | Title | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2024 | Shawn Askew | Virginia Tech | Individual Weed Treatment with Cryogenic Liquid in Managed Turfgrass: A Foundation for Machine-Vision Applicators | $28,140 | ||
| 6 | 2024 | Thomas Butts | Purdue University | Development of an Artificially-Intelligent Image-Based Soil Seedbank Sampling Tool | $48,000 | ||
| 7 | 2024 | Sophie Westbrook | Kansas State University | Integrating Research and Education to Understand Adaptation at Multiple Spatiotemporal Scales in Water-Limited Rangeland Weeds | $23,814 | ||
| 8 | 2023 | Albert Adjesiwor | University of Idaho | Wheat Response to Multigenerational Weed Competition | $47,080 | ||
| 9 | 2023 | Taylor Randell Singleton | University of Georgia | Establishing Pollinator Habitat to Protect Sensitive and Endangered Species and Preserve the Use of Pesticides | $35,000 | ||
| 10 | 2022 | Erik Lenhoff | New Mexico State University | Developing an Electric Mulch System in Vineyards and Blueberry Production | $50,000 | ||
| 11 | 2022 | Carolyn Lowry | Pennsylvania State University | Cease the Seeds: Understanding Seed Microbiomes to Accelerate Seedbank Mortality | $19,922 | ||
| 12 | 2022 | Timothy Prather | University of Idaho | Do Plant-Soil Microbe Interactions Explain Ventenata dubia's Competitive Advantage? | $3,854 |