The North American Maple Syrup Council

The North American Maple Syrup Council Research Fund

What is the research fund and how does it work…

§ The Research Fund is a non-profit, volunteer managed fund established by the directors of the North American Maple Syrup Council at the annual conference in 1987.
§ The program was developed to generate seed money for universities and institutions that perform research benefiting the entire maple industry.
§ A voluntary contribution of a "penny per container" was determined to be a reasonable amount, from a common source, that is affordable to all producers and packers. With industry wide participation these contributions would provide the necessary ongoing financial support needed for maple research.
§ Annually the NAMSC-Research Fund solicits, reviews and selects research proposals that are of primary importance and concern to the maple industry.
§ Funds are designated and distributed to qualified institutions in the U.S. and Canada for select research projects.
§ Progress reports and research findings are presented at the joint annual meetings of the North American Maple Syrup Council and the International Maple Syrup Institute.
§ The results of their research efforts are also published regularly in the Maple Syrup Digest and other maple industry publications.

Who participates and how they can help…

§ Container manufacturers and distributors assist us by requesting voluntary donations of a "penny per container" on their customer invoices. Once collected, donations are sent to the treasurer of the NAMSC - Research Fund on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.
§ There are over two hundred (200) participants who contribute $10.00 to $10,000.00 or more annually.
§ Periodic contributions are also accepted from syrup packers, syrup producers, associations and co-ops and others who wish to donate direct to the fund rather than through their container manufacturer or distributor.
§ Recognition of contributors is done on an annual basis with a letter of thanks and listing in the December issue of the Maple Syrup Digest.

What we have accomplished and what can we do…

§ Since its inception the fund has generated and provided thousands of dollars annually to help fund accurate and timely maple research benefiting all producers, large and small, in the United States and Canada.
§ Future research can be done in areas such as tree health, insect infestation, syrup production and packaging methods, marketing, syrup adulteration and a host of other concerns vital to the future of maple.
§ For example: a "penny per container" for a producer who annually fills 15,000 containers would contribute $150.00 to the fund. If everyone participated using these guidelines the individual burden to fund research would be minimal, and the benefit to the industry significant.

Please contact us for more information:

Joe Polak, Treasurer
W1887 Robinson Dr
Merrill, WI 54452
Phone 715-536-5251
E-mail: mplehollow@dwave.net

A Guide for Submitting Requests for Funding of Research Proposals

Requests for funding of Research Proposals may be submitted to the NAMSC Research Fund for consideration in accordance with the following guidelines:

1. Proposals requesting funds must be received no later than July 1st to be considered for funding by the Directors of the North American Maple Syrup Council at their annual meeting in October. Proposals received after July 1st will be returned or at the request of submitting entity considered the following year.

2. Proposals shall complete and detailed in content. Each proposed research project should include the following information including but not limited to:
a. Name of research project
b. Name of research entity, contact researcher including complete address, phone & fax numbers, email and website address.
c. Location where research will take place
d. Type, Purpose and Intent of research
e. Duration / Schedule / Phasing
f. Expected benefit to the maple industry
g. Reference section listing any similar or duplicating research in progress or previously competed by anyone and if any, why proposed research is warranted or should be considered.
h. Detailed breakdown of total estimated costs for the research project and the cost breakdown specific to the amount of funding being requested.

3. A short concise cover statement or summary of the proposal including funding requested shall be included as part of the proposal.

4. Forty - (40) complete copies of the proposals shall be submitted to the NAMSC Research Fund Chairman.

5. Results or progress report of projects receiving funds must be presented annually at the NAMSC Annual meeting and submitted for publication to The Maple Syrup Digest upon completion.

6. A standard Contract/Agreement will be required before funding is released for payment to the research entity. A copy of the contract is available for review upon request.

Please direct questions and submit proposals to:

NAMSC Research Fund
Dr. Eric Randall, Chairman
Edinboro College of Pennsylvania
102 Arts and Sciences
Edinboro, PA 16444
Phone: 814-732-2400
E-mail: erandall@edinboro.edu

Contact us

E-mail:info@northamericanmaple.org

North American Maple Syrup Council
PO Box 581
Simsbury, CT 06070