Once a year, the Pennsylvania Soybean Promotion Board funds projects designed to solve production problems, enhance marketing and improve efficiency of Pennsylvania soybean farmers.

Projects are considered according to the Board's Research Priority List, which follows. However, investigators are encouraged to submit proposals for other research that can expand profit opportunities for soybean farmers. All proposals must demonstrate benefits for soybean farmers.

Four main areas are given priority:

1. Marketing

• International and domestic trade
• Economics
• Opportunities
• Biodiesel

2. Production

• Cultural practices
• Pest management
• Economics

3. Education/Information

4. New Uses

Specific problems identified by the Board under those four main areas which need attention:

• White Mold and other pathogens
• Genetically altered soybeans
• Edible soybeans - production and marketing
• New uses - food and non-food
• On-farm animal feed use (whole beans) vs. cash crops
• Feeding quality for livestock - whole cooked, meal - nutritional value
• Oil and protein - research on beans with higher levels - cost effectiveness
• Marketing issues
• Merchandising - future challenges - changes - marketing demand driving production
• Responses to post application of herbicides with nutrients (i.e., Boron)
• New methods of soybean innoculants
• High yielding soybeans - varieties, production methods
• Plant genetics/physiology
• Overcoming yield plateau
• No-till production - yield impact
• Soybean Rust
• Field information and technical support - information distribution
• Economics of weed control - thresholds, cost impact
• Economic response to early planting soybeans

Remember - this is not an exclusive list. If you have an idea for a project which is not listed here but has the potential to benefit Pennsylvania soybean farmers, you are invited to enter a full proposal.

Please also read the guidelines before submitting the application form (editable PDF).

If you are unable to download the application, please try this link first for an uneditable PDF. If problems persist or you have other questions, you may email our office or call (410) 742-9500.