This questions is one of the most frequent questions received by our office. The difference comes down to a description of project achievements or a list of measurable outcomes.

Accomplishment: This information should be built around the activity's milestones, as they were identified in the original proposal. Accomplishments should also reflect on the items that stakeholders want to know, or want to see. Committees may describe plans for the coming year in no more than one or two short paragraphs.

Other pertinent information may be reported, such as extension activities, extramural funding or intellectual property generated, etc. If any grants or contracts were acquired as a direct result of this project's activity during this project period, list granting agency, title of project, duration (eg. 1999 -2003), and award amount. Also, committees may indicate if there are plans to develop a new or revised project in this area research.

Impact: The quantifiable difference a land-grant program makes in the quality of life for its clients and general citizenry.

Supplementing that brief statement is also the definition of an impact statement: "A brief document that describes the social, environmental, and/or economic difference that your research, teaching, or extension efforts have made on the public." Specifically, it states the accomplishments and the payoff to society.