RFP # JH23003 CPP Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) Strategic Plan Implementation

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit bids from qualified Proposers to provide California State Polytechnic University, Pomona¿s (¿Cal Poly Pomona,¿ ¿CPP¿ or ¿University¿) Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) a firm to (i) assist ARI and help plan and implement priorities identified in the strategic plan; (ii) to help facilitate discussions with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA); and (iii) participate with ARI in developing the ¿Masterplan for Agricultural Research¿ in higher education. The Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) supports applied research across the California State University System, that benefits California agriculture, natural resources and food systems while cultivating the next generation of agricultural leaders. The ARI program emphasizes innovation, collaboration, engagement, scientific integrity, accountability, diversity and inclusion. Each year ARI provides funding and support for 175 projects, 125 faculty and 300

students who conduct applied agricultural research across the CSU system. The ARI engages the collective expertise of the CSU system to engage in timely, applied research and student development to make California¿s agriculture, natural resources and food systems more resilient and sustainable. In August 2022, The ARI Board of Governors, Executive Director and Deans¿ Council developed a five-year strategic plan and identified three priorities that will help strengthen our impact. The priorities include 1) identifying and funding research that matters, 2) increasing visibility and funding, and 3) building capacity and strengthening operations. To accomplish these goals, ARI seeks to fund research that matters to agriculture, natural resources and food system industries, to support growth in funding by raising visibility and building demand for ARI among industry and legislature through marketing and advocacy, and to build capacity by broadening participation of students and faculty across CSU campuses and disciplines and increasing our staff and board strength.