Insight Grants

Grant Opportunity: Native Youth Grant through ED

The Federal Register recently published the announcement for Applications for New Awards; Indian Education Discretionary Grants Programs-Demonstration Grants for Indian Children Program.

The purpose of the Demonstration Grants for Indian Children program is to provide financial assistance to projects that develop, test, and demonstrate the effectiveness of services and programs to improve the educational opportunities and achievement of preschool, elementary, and secondary Indian students.

Deadline Information: Notice of Intent to Apply is June 2, 2015. Deadline for Transmittal of Applications is June 29, 2015.

Awards: Estimated range of awards is $400,000-$600,000 and 5 to 7 awards are expected to be made.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants include State educational agencies; LEAs, including charter schools that are considered LEAs under State law; Indian tribes; Indian organizations; BIE-funded schools; Indian institutions (including Indian IHes); or a consortium of any of these entities.

For complete information on the program visit the announcement post on  federalregister.gov

Grant Opportunities: US Department of Justice Mentoring Funding

The U.S. Department of Education’s  Prevention News Digest for 5/1/2015 stated:

The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has reposted the following fiscal year 2015 funding solicitations with a new deadline of June 23, 2015:

  • Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative. This solicitation supports organizations as they strengthen and/or expand their existing mentoring activities with local subawardees and/or other mentoring organizations. Mentoring activities include direct one-on-one, group, peer, or a combination of these types of mentoring services for at-risk and undeserved youth populations. Applications are due by June 23, 2015.
  • Mentoring for Youth: Underserved Populations. This solicitation will support mentoring services for underserved populations, including youth with disabilities, youth in foster care, and lesbian gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning youth (LGBTQ). Applications are due by June 23, 2015.

Visit OJJDP’s funding page for more information about these solicitations.

Sign up to receive the ED prevention news digest by email here.

US Department of Education Higher Education Grants Focus on Improving Accessibility for Minority Groups and Low-Income Individuals

By Jen Adams

The 2015 grant forecast for the US Department of Education’s (ED) Grant Programs in Higher Education reflects a focus on reducing educational disparities for several key subpopulations. The Department continues to support programs for Hispanic and African American populations and has released new opportunities that assist Asian Americans and Native American Pacific Islanders. In addition to boosting the educational progress of these minority groups, ED has announced funding for institutions serving individuals with intellectual disabilities and veteran students, and grants to support innovations that make college more affordable for low-income families. Brief descriptions of these and other recently forecasted grant programs are included below:

 

The Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program was released in March with a deadline of May 15, 2015. HSI provides grants to expand educational opportunities for Hispanic students, aiming to help large numbers of Hispanic and other low-income students complete postsecondary degrees. Eligible applicants include: Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) that qualify as HISs by having: 1) An enrollment of needy students, as defined by the Higher Education Association; and 2) Average educational and general expenditures that are low, per full-time equivalent undergraduate student, in comparison to similar institutions. Estimated total program funding for 2015 is $52,287,473 and 87 awards of $500,000-$650,000 are expected. Learn more here: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-03-20/pdf/2015-06501.pdf.

The First in the World Program is available only to Minority-Serving Institutions or consortia and will provide grants to spur the development of innovations that make college more affordable for students and families. $20,000,000 has been slated for seven awards in 2015, but limited information is available until its official announcement, expected later this Spring.

The Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Non-Tribal Institutions Program has been offered previously by the Department of Education, but appears not to have distributed a competitive award since 2011. The program provides grants to eligible IHEs that have an undergraduate enrollment of at least 10 percent Asian American or Native American Pacific Islander students, to assist such institutions to plan, develop, undertake, and carry out activities to improve and their capacity to serve this population. Applications are due May 19, 2015 and the Department anticipates funding ten awards of $300-$400,000. Find more information at this link:  http://www2.ed.gov/programs/aanapi/applicant.html.

Funding will be offered this Spring to support Predominately Black Institutions. Applicants that applied for Designation as an Eligible institution for FY 2015 are eligible to apply as well as accredited IHEs that meet guidelines for enrollment of needy students and minorities as well as parameters for tuition expenses. Institutions may use Federal funds to establish or strengthen programs in the following areas: 1. Science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM); 2. Health education; 3. Internationalization or globalization; 4.Teacher preparation; or 5. Improving educational outcomes of African American males. The grant is targeted for release in early May with a June deadline. $13,000,000 is expected to fund 25 awards. Find out more here: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/pbi/index.html.

$5,000,000 for approximately 15 awards has been set aside for Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success. The program was previously offered in 2010, but awards do not appear to have not been made since that time. Competitive and discretionary funding is due for announcement this month with an anticipated deadline on or around June 12, 2015. This program is open to IHEs and encourages model programs to support veteran student success in postsecondary education by coordinating services to address their academic, financial, physical, and social needs. Find out more here: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/cevss/index.html.

The Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities will be extended to IHEs or consortia who propose to create or expand high quality, inclusive model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities. A single round of funding for this program was offered in 2010 and archived application materials as well as additional information are available here: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/tpsid/applicant.html. A competition is expected to be announced this Spring with a deadline in early May. $9,972,879.00 is available for an estimated 27 awards.

Grant Opportunity: Comprehensive School Safety Initiative (CSSI)

By Jen Adams

Who is offering this grant? US National Institute of Justice (NIJ)

What is the purpose? The goal of NIJ’s Comprehensive School Safety Initiative (CSSI) is to improve school safety by providing communities with best practices for programs and policies based on rigorous scientific research, testing and evaluation. The initiative is carried out through partnerships between researchers, educators and other stakeholders, including law enforcement and mental health professionals. Projects funded under the CSSI are designed to produce knowledge that can be applied to schools and school districts across the nation for years to come.

What types of activities might be supported? The Initiative has three broad components, each designed to produce evidence about what works and to identify best practices: 1) Understand school safety issues, existing models and data; 2) Sponsor independent and innovative research; 3) Test the effects of interventions via pilot projects. Within the program parameters and in furtherance of the goals above, applicants have considerable discretion in determining the kinds of school safety initiatives they propose to address. There are four funding categories:

Category 1: Developing Knowledge About What Works to Make Schools Safe

Category 2: Causes and Consequences of School Violence

Category 3: Shorter Term Studies on School Safety

Category 4: Developing and Evaluating a Comprehensive School Safety Framework

 

Applicants are encouraged to review previously funded projects at http://nij.gov/topics/crime/school-crime/documents/comprehensive-school-safety-initiative-awards-fy-2014.pdf. A sample of funded activities include: School resource officer training. • Mental health and trauma-informed response. • Improved disciplinary policies. • Restorative justice. • Threat assessment using social media. • Positive behavioral interventions and supports. • Bullying prevention. • Wraparound services/comprehensive approaches. • Protecting students as they walk to and from school.

 

Who can apply? States, units of local government (including federally recognized Indian tribal governments), nonprofit and for-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and certain qualified individuals. Local education agencies (LEAs), public charter schools that are recognized as an LEA, and State education agencies (SEAs) also are eligible to apply.

When is the application due? June 12, 2015.

How much can I request? For Category 1: NIJ estimates that a total of up to $40 million will become available. NIJ anticipates awards will be made in amounts ranging from $1 million to $5 million. For Category 2: NIJ estimates that a total of up to $6 million will become available and awards will be made in amounts up to $2 million. For Category 3: NIJ estimates that a total of up to $4 million will become available. NIJ anticipates awards will be made in amounts ranging from $200,000 to $1 million. For Category 4: NIJ estimates that a total of up to $15 million will become available. NIJ anticipates that it will make two to three awards in amounts up to $7.5 million.

Do I have to offer a match of any kind? This solicitation does not require a match. However, if a successful application proposes a voluntary match amount, and OJP approves the budget, the total match amount incorporated into the approved budget becomes mandatory.

How long is the project period? Project periods range according to category. Category 1 anticipates project periods from 24-48 months; Category 2 ranges from 12-24 months; Category 3 ranges from 12-24 months; and Category 4 ranges from 48-60 months.

Is there anything else I should know? Every award made under CSSI must include a carefully developed research strategy with clear potential for producing findings that have practical benefits for schools, students and communities at large. NIJ expects applications for CSSI to prominently feature close collaboration and partnerships involving schools, researchers, and others as necessary (e.g., law enforcement behavioral and mental health professionals, courts, criminal and juvenile justice professionals, parents, students) to implement and study the proposed issues and activities related to school and student safety.

 

NIJ expects that it will make any awards from funding Categories 1, 2, and 3 in the form of a grant. However, NIJ reserves the authority to make selected awards from Categories 1, 2, or 3 as cooperative agreements on a case-by-case basis, where NIJ determines that a cooperative agreement relationship is more appropriate for the implementation of the funded project. NIJ expects that it will make any award from Category 4 in the form of a cooperative agreement, which is a particular type of grant used if NIJ expects to have ongoing substantial involvement in award activities.

How can I find out more? Visit NIJ at: http://nij.gov/topics/crime/school-crime/Pages/school-safety-initiative.aspx. The RFP is available here: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/sl001161.pdf. An informational webinar about this grant initiative was held on April 16 from 3-4pm. The webinar and frequently asked questions will be available on the website as a resource for applicants.

2015 i3 Development Pre-Application Deadline Extended

If you are working on an Investing in Innovation (i3) Development pre-application or considering doing so, you may be glad to learn the pre-application (required) deadline was officially changed to 5/5/2015 this morning. Make good use of the extra week! We’ve noted the change in our previous post on the program.

Investing in Innovation Fund Development Grants (i3) are Now Open!

By Jen Adams

Who is offering this grant? US Department of Education (ED)

What is the purpose? The i3 grants are designed to improve the academic achievement of high-need students by promoting promising solutions to pressing challenges in K-12 education, supporting the evaluation of these solutions, and developing new approaches to scaling effective practices to serve more students.  The application period is now open for i3 Development Grants, novel projects that are nationally significant, not projects that simply implement existing common practices in additional locations. The i3 grant program includes two additional types of grants, in addition to Development Grants–Validation Grants and Scale-up Grants—which each broaden use of practices with increased amounts of evidence of effectiveness. The application period(s) for Validation and Scale-up Grants are anticipated later in the spring of 2015.

What types of activities might be supported? All grantees must implement practices that are designed to improve student achievement or student growth, close achievement gaps, decrease dropout rates, increase high school graduation rates, or increase college enrollment. Applicants must address one of the following Absolute Priorities with projects that implement practices that serve students in grades K-12.

Priority 1: Improving the Effectiveness of Principals- Under this priority, funding is provided to projects that are designed to increase the number and percentage of highly effective principals by implementing practices or strategies that support districts in hiring, evaluating, supporting, and retaining effective principals.

Priority 2: Improving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education – This priority seeks projects that reach students beyond the boundaries of the traditional school day (i.e. during out-of-school time or extended-day programs) and provide meaningful, real-world STEM learning experiences that will inspire students’ interest in STEM and give them the tools they need to meet the demands of dynamic labor markets.

Priority 3: Leveraging Technology to Support Instructional Practice and Professional Development – Under this priority, funding is provided to projects that are designed to leverage technology use in the classroom to support student learning and inform teacher professional development. This notice seeks projects that use technological tools that enable the development, visualization, and rapid analysis of data to inform instructional practices and improve learning outcomes.

Priority 4: Influencing the Development of Non-Cognitive Factors – Under this priority, funding is provided to projects that are designed to improve students’ mastery of non-cognitive skills and behaviors (such as academic behaviors, academic mindset, perseverance, self-regulation, social and emotional skills, and approaches toward learning strategies), as well as enhance student motivation and engagement in learning.

Priority 5: Serving Rural Communities – Focus on serving rural communities. *Applicants applying under this priority must also address one of the other four absolute priorities established.

A competitive preference priority is also extended to novice applicants to the i3 program (additional 3 points scored).

Who can apply? Eligible applicants include either of the following: a) a local education agency (LEA—school districts, educational service agencies, some charter schools) OR b) A partnership between a nonprofit organization and—1) One or more LEAs; or 2) A consortium of schools. Evidence of a record of improving academic achievement must also be demonstrated. See full RFP for details.

How much is available? Estimated Available Funds for 2015 are $112,400,000. This is the total available for all three types of grants under the i3 program (Development, Validation, and Scale-up Grants).

When is the application due? Deadline for the non-mandatory Notice of Intent to Submit for Development Grants: April 20, 2015; Deadline for Pre-applications for Development grants: April 29, 2015–changed to May 5, 2015 on April 15, 2015. In order to be eligible to submit a full application, organizations MUST submit pre-applications.  Organizations with high-scoring pre-applications will be invited to submit full applications. Organizations that submitted pre-applications that were not considered “high-scoring” can still choose to submit full applications if they would like to.

How much can I request? Development Grant applicants can request up to $3,000,000 per grant application for the full project period. ED anticipates 9-11 i3 Development grant awards will be made in 2015. NOTE that applicants may submit more than one i3 application, but each applicant can win no more than 2 i3 awards of any kind in a single year. In a single two-year period, no applicant may win more than one Validation or Scale-up grant. In 2015, no grantee may be awarded more than $23 Million total in i3 funds.

Do I have to offer a match of any kind? Yes. An applicant must obtain matching funds or in-kind donations from the private sector equal to at least 15% of the grant award. Each applicant, following peer review of the applications, must submit evidence of at least 50% of the required private-sector match prior to award. Evidence of the remaining 50% match must be provided no later than three months after the project start date (or the grant will be terminated).

 How long is the project period? 3, 4, or 5 years

Is there anything else I should know? The design of i3 links the amount of funding that an applicant may receive to the quality of the evidence supporting the proposed project. In other words, applicants proposing practices that are supported by limited evidence can receive relatively small grants to further develop the practice. Applicants proposing practices supported by evidence from rigorous evaluations can receive sizable grants to support expansion across the country. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the proposed process, product, strategy, or practice included in their applications is supported by either evidence of promise or a strong theory.

How can I find out more? Visit the official i3 program site: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/innovation/index.html. View the Notice Inviting Applications at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-03-30/pdf/2015-07213.pdf. View the FAQs at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/innovation/faq.html. Go to http://www2.ed.gov/programs/innovation/2015competition.html to sign up for ED’s question and answer webinar to be held April 9, 2015 at 2pm Eastern or to view the 2015 competition PowerPoint.

 

If you are looking for assistance with your application, Insight would be pleased to help you! For information on pricing for grant writing or editing for this program, please contact Rosalie Mangino-Crandall at 716-474-0981 or rmangino@insightgrants.com.

Grant Opportunity: Farm to School Grant Program FY16

The USDA’s Farm to School Grant Program Competition is now open!

From the USDA:

“The purpose of the USDA Farm to School Grant Program is to assist eligible entities in implementing farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. On an annual basis, USDA awards up to $5 million in competitive grants for training, supporting operations, planning, purchasing equipment, developing school gardens, developing partnerships, and implementing farm to school programs.”

Types of Grants and Funding:

Support Service grants – awards range from $65,000 to $100,000. The funder states, “Support Service grants are intended for eligible entities working with schools or school districts to further develop and provide broad reaching support services to farm to school initiatives.” An estimated 50% of allocated funds for the program are expected to go to Support Service grants this year.

Implementation grants – awards range from $65,000 to $100,000. The funder states, “Implementation grants are intended to help schools or school districts scale or further develop existing farm to school initiatives.” An estimated 25% of allocated funds for the program are expected to go to Implementation grants this year.

Planning grants – awards range from $20,000 to $45,000. The funder states, “Planning grants are for schools or school districts just getting started on farm to school activities and are intended to help these entities organize and structure their efforts for maximum impact by embedding known best practices into early design considerations.” An estimated 15% of allocated funds for the program are expected to go to Planning grants this year.

Training grants – awards range from $15,000 – $50,000. The funder states, “Training grants are intended for eligible entities to support trainings that strengthen farm to school supply chains, or trainings that provide technical assistance in the area of local procurement, food safety, culinary education, and/or integration of agriculture-based curriculum.” An estimated 10% of allocated funds for the program are expected to go to Training grants this year.

Priority consideration will be given to projects that serve a high proportion of children who are eligible for free or reduced price meals.

Who Can Apply: 

Support Service Grants: Only state and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, agricultural producers or groups of agricultural producers, and non-profit entities are eligible to receive support service grants.

Implementation Grants: Only pre-K-12 School Food Authorities (SFAs), non-profit private schools, charter schools, Indian tribal schools, and others that participate in the National School Lunch or Breakfast Programs, and/or operate USDA’s Summer Food Service Program/Seamless Summer Option or Child and Adult Care Food Program on-site, are eligible to receive implementation grants.

Planning Grants: Only pre-K-12 SFAs, non-profit private schools, charter schools, Indian tribal schools, and
others that participate in the National School Lunch or Breakfast Programs, and/or operate USDA’s Summer Food Service Program/Seamless Summer Option or Child and Adult Care Food Program on-site, are eligible to receive planning grants.

Training Grants: Only state and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, agricultural producers or groups of
agricultural producers, and non-profit entities are eligible to receive training grant funds. Cooperative Extension Service programs are ineligible to apply for these grant projects.

Key Dates: Training Grant Letter of Intent due 4/30/15, Applications for Support Service, Implementation, and Planning Grants due 5/20/15

Where to Get Complete Details: Visit the USDA Farm to School Grant Program section of usda.gov to access he application.

 

Grant Opportunity: Military-Connected LEA for Academic and Support Programs

Through the Department of Defense, the Military-Connected Local Educational Agencies for Academic and Support Programs (MCASP) grant opportunity is now open.

“The DoDEA Partnership Grant Program supports research-based programs to increase student achievement and ease the challenges that military children face due to their parents’ military service. The grant program provides resources to military-connected local educational agencies (LEAs) to develop and implement projects that are designed to:

– Enhance and expand instructional supports to help students meet the requirements of rigorous curriculum

– Provide structures to support the social and emotional needs of military students

– Increase advanced placement and virtual learning communities, improve educator knowledge and skills through professional development, increase opportunities for students to study strategic languages, provide enhanced services for students with disabilities, enhance and integrate technology into the classroom, and engage parents in supporting students’ college and career readiness.”

Who Can Apply: Independent school districts that have at least one participating school with twenty-five percent or greater military dependent student enrollment, at least fifty percent of participating schools have a military dependent student enrollment of twenty-five percent or above, and the remaining percentage of participating schools may have between ten and twenty-five percent military dependent student enrollment.

Awards: An estimated total of $30,000,000 dollars is available, with 35 awards ranging between $250,000 and $1,500,000 expected to be made.

Application Due Date: May 5th, 2015

To get complete information and access the RFP, visit the grant opportunity page on grants.gov .

 

During One of the Busiest Grant Seasons of the Year, Regional Opportunities are Plentiful

We’ve entered one of the busiest grants seasons of the year and there are many regional grant competitions currently open. Our list of featured grants on the blog is by no means all inclusive, but we try to show some great programs as well as major grant competitions. Here are a few more regional programs worth considering:

Health and Human Services Grant (Saint Luke’s Foundation)

Region: Cleveland, Ohio
Deadline: April 1st 2015
Award Amounts: Amounts Vary

The Saint Luke’s Foundation accepts applications focused on health and well-being in their target areas of “Healthy People”, “Strong Communities” and “Resilient Families”. Saint Luke’s provides support through discretionary, operating support, program support, capital support, capacity building and program-related investments.

 DC Physical Activity for Youth Grant (Office of the State Superintendent of Education)

Region: Washington, DC
Deadline: April 3, 2015
Award Amounts: Up to $10,000

The purpose of the grant is to increase the capacity of District of Columbia schools to provide physical activity to all students before, during, or after the school day.

Cambia Health Foundation Grants

Region: Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington
Letters of Inquiry Due: 4/17, 8/14
Award Amounts: Grants range from $50,000 to $100,000

Funding Priorities fall into three categories, Sojourns Funding, Transforming Health Care, and Children’s Health Care.

2015 Community Health Grants (Greater Rochester Health Foundation)

Region: Greater Rochester, NY Region (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, or Yates Counties).
Deadlines: There are two cycles, the first cycle due date is 3/23 and the second cycle due date is 9/16.
Award Amounts: Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000

Grants are intended to support a variety of short-term, health-benefiting activities or organizations whose primary mission includes health services and/or health promotion.

Kansas Health Foundation Recognition Grants

Region: Kansas
Deadline: Application deadlines are 3/15 and 9/15
Award Amounts: Grants are made up to $25,000

Grants are targeted for organizations and agencies proposing meaningful and charitable projects that fit within the Foundation’s mission of improving the health of all Kansans.

January 2015 PEP Grant Program Update and Additonal Grant Opportunities

The 2015 federal budget was finalized in mid-December. The US Department of Education’s (ED) Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP grant program) was allocated $47 Million. In communications we recently had with the PEP Program Manager, Carlette KyserPegram, we learned that the amount appropriated by Congress for 2015 was NOT enough to make new PEP grants in 2015. So ED will not be holding a PEP competition in 2015 and does not expect to make any new PEP grant awards in 2015. Continuation awards for existing PEP grant winners are scheduled to be funded for 2015. It is far too soon to say what this means for PEP in 2016 and the future, but for this year, those who planned on applying for PEP will not be able to do so.

Although this is disappointing news, we would encourage potential applicants to consider other programs.

General Mills and the American Dietetic Association partner to offer the foundation-funded Champions for Healthy Kids grants which are specifically for nutrition and physical activity programs. These are smaller grants of $20,000 each. The application period has already opened, and applications are due 1/23/2015. You need to have a registered dietitian on board prior to application (that person will actually be the official applicant on behalf of your organization), although how the RD participates in your project is completely up to you, and he/she can be paid with grant funds for his/her role if needed. General Mills likes to see a wide reach, so if you go for that one, think about what you could do with $20,000 that includes at least one physical activity piece and one nutrition piece (with an RD serving at least as an advisor if not playing a more direct role) that would reach all of your kids and maybe even others. This grant focuses on ages 2-20, but you can have a secondary reach to families if you want to, as long as ages 2-18 are the primary audience. Champions grants are sometimes given to school-based programs operating during and around the school day but are most often given to programs operating at other times—programs that require support because they are clearly outside of the typical school budget.

AstraZeneca’s Connections for Cardiovascular Health is a foundation-funded grant program. AZ will accept applications February 2-26, 2015. This year, grants will range from $150,000-$180,000 for one year. One exciting element of the AZ grant is that, at least to this point, there hasn’t been an age range restriction. So you could focus solely on your kids, parents and community members, both, the elderly, or another population all together. Similar to General Mills Champions grants, though, AstraZeneca tends to be less of a fit for most PE class- and school-day-focused projects and more of a fit for out-of-school time and community-focused projects.

If you have out-of-school time aims and/or aims that touch parents, staff, and/or community members, General Mills or AstraZeneca grants may be options for you this year. Both grants are highly competitive, so definitely think of creative project activities you might propose to be as competitive as possible if you want to apply.

As additional news and opportunities surface throughout the year, we’ll be posting about them. As always, if you’d like to talk with us about a potential project or application and would like to inquire about our grant writing, editing, or evaluation services, please contact us.

 

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