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.
Grant Opportunity: Shape the State Grants for SPARK in Tennessee Due THIS Week!
Leticia Gonzalez at SPARK wanted to be sure our readers were aware of a terrific opportunity due this week for schools in Tennessee. Please see below. Good luck! 🙂
Shape the State Grant Application Due THIS Week!
Tennessee Middle Schools: Apply now to transform your physical education program with SPARK through the Shape the State Middle School PE Grant!
Funder: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee Health Foundation
In an effort to promote better health for Tennessee students, the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation will award up to 20 grants valued at $10,000 each to Tennessee middle schools as part of its Shape the State program. The grants will be used to purchase SPARK physical education curriculum, training, and materials.
Grant Deadline: April 17, 2015
Award Amount: SPARK Middle School PE curriculum, training, and materials valued at $10,000
Click Here to visit the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation website to learn more and apply for this grant.
Highmark Foundation Creating a Healthy School Environment Grants are Now Open! (PA and WV)
The Highmark Foundation is currently offering Creating a Healthy School Environment grants to schools in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Applicants may be public or private schools located within the Highmark service area, which includes 49 Pennsylvania Counties and all 55 West Virginia Counties.*
Applicants must select 1 of the 4 priority areas on which to focus their projects: (1) Bullying Prevention, (2) Child Injury Prevention, (3) Healthy Eating and Physical Activity, and (4) Physical and Environmental Health. Projects must be based on and inclusive of evidence-based programs. The RFP provides a list of suggested evidence-based programs and resources for each priority area, as well as checklists to support baseline and progress data collection and project evaluation. The specifically suggested evidenced-based programs and resources are not required for the Child Injury Prevention, Healthy Eating and Physical Activity, and Physical and Environmental Health priority areas–other evidenced-based options may be proposed. Applicants applying for funds through Bullying Prevention, however, MUST select from the list of programs and resources provided.
Eligible applicants and allowable award sizes for 2015 are described in the RFP as follows:
PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOLS
1. PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS (Individual school buildings are not eligible to apply.)
a. Grants up to $10,000 will be awarded to 15 school districts implementing programs that improve access to quality school-based health and wellness programs. We are interested in public schools applying as districts for implementing programs.
b. If awarded, school districts should identify and select schools within their district to receive funding.
2. PRIVATE, CHARTER, VOCATIONAL AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS (Grades K-12)
c. Mini-grants up to $5,000 will be awarded to 20 non-public school buildings.
d. Private, parochial and charter schools may only apply for the $5,000 mini-grants.
WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOLS 1. PUBLIC, PRIVATE, CHARTER VOCATIONAL AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS (Grades K-12)
a. $5,000 mini-grants will be awarded to 15 schools.
b. West Virginia schools may only apply for the $5,000 mini-grants.
Potential applicants should note the funder indicates, “Grants will not be awarded exclusively for equipment such as treadmills, bikes, etc. Equipment will only be considered if necessary for the implementation of an evidence-based physical activity program such as SPARK.”
All applicants must apply online by the May 8, 2015.
*Highmark service area:
Western Pennsylvania Counties served: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Erie, Elk, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Somerset, Venango, Warren, Westmoreland and Washington
Central Pennsylvania Counties served: Adams, Berks, Centre, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Mifflin, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Union and York
West Virginia: All counties in West Virginia are eligible to apply.
Good Luck! :o)
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 Tips and Discussion: From Implementation to Evaluation
In recent years I’ve had the privilege of working on various projects for Insight Grants Development. Back in 2006 I was a senior in college and was helping my sister-in-law, Rosalie, double check and prepare budgets for PEP Grant applications. Since that time Rosalie’s company has grown with all kinds of grant related success. From helping clients win tens of millions of dollars in grant funding to providing thorough evaluation services, I’ve seen firsthand Insight standing by the statement on our homepage “Dedicated to Making Positive, Measurable, and Sustainable Changes in Communities Through Grant Programs.” Rosalie has a tremendous team that works to deliver the best possible work and most competitive applications for clients.
Although I don’t have anywhere near the expertise, knowledge, and experience of some of the members of the Insight Team, I wanted to try my hand at sharing some of what I’ve learned while helping Insight. The following commentary is related to implementation and evaluation of a grant.
Grant Tips and Discussion: From Implementation to Evaluation
Winning a grant and knowing you will be able to implement your project is a very exciting time. You’ve put a ton of effort into the application, had challenges and successes along the way, and all of a sudden you receive the notification that your application will be funded. The work doesn’t end here. For your grant project to be truly successful, it is not just about getting funded. It is just as important for you to implement and execute your plan.
The majority of grant funding goes to causes or efforts that improve something. The funding pays for things like equipment, training, or even personnel. The funding is meant to take a problem, a shortcoming, or a need and fill that gap to ultimately solve a problem or advance the greater good in a specific area.
Nearly all grant programs require evaluation reports in order to establish a detailed analysis of the project. Projects may have outcomes, measures, or goals that the awardee needs to report on so that the funder can see what worked, what didn’t, and the best use of funds going forward. Often times these reports can shape future funding opportunities. For example, an organization that was lacking proper equipment to successfully serve the public might get the funding to purchase that equipment. The funder wants to see how it was used and what effect it had for the grantee in fulfilling its purpose or need for funding. If a school is given grant funding for nutrition education and fitness equipment, the funder needs to see the impact of the project and the funding. To show this, awardees will measure data based on where they started the project and progressing throughout the project as new equipment, curriculum, and initiatives are taken.
Grant funders also look favorably on projects and initiatives that are sustainable after the grant funding runs out. If equipment can be used for years to come, training and education provides life-long value, or long-term problems are solved by the funding, the funder is getting better value for and having larger influences with their resources. The lifetime value of a grant can be very high when sustainable measures are put into place. As a funder, this is exactly what you would want your resources to do. Resources that turn into important changes, valuable resources, and long term benefits are resources well spent.
From the time you start working on your project through implementation it’s important to have your organization and key stakeholders “buy in” to your project. To accomplish this, it is best to communicate clearly with all participants. These participants need to know what is going to happen, why it is happening, what is expected of them, and how the plan is going to be implemented. Most importantly, these participants need to know the bigger picture of the project. Educate them about what issues are being solved and what the long term goals of the project are.
It is unfortunate but in many organizations there will be participants who are not as excited about the project as you. Some people simply do not like change or anything coming their way that resembles extra work. Don’t let these participants get you down. If they are in the way of a project you and your funder knows will provide positive outcomes then in the big picture they are not important and are just another challenge to overcome in the way of successful implementation.
As your hard work pays off and your project progresses, just as important as making sure everyone knows the details and purpose of the project at the beginning, keep them updated along the way. And if you are having successes, highlight and celebrate them. If you’ve fixed a problem, are making solid progress, or in general are seeing marked improvements, then show off this positivity. Let your community know more about your project and what it has done. Show your funder through reporting and other information that their funding is being put to good use, and give them exact data on what it has done.
2015 U.S. Department of Education Funding Forecast Updated (December 30, 2014)
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) has updated its Forecast of Funding Opportunities under the Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 several times since the beginning of November. The last update occurred 12/30/2014, although communications with grant Program Managers have shown that not all information has been updated yet. Be sure to visit the link to the Forecast to get the full details, but also contact the Program Managers to confirm all information prior to acting. The Forecast is an evolving document, and the federal budget was just settled in mid-December, so there hasn’t been time for it to be fully reflected on the Forecast yet.
We’ve broken down some key takeaways from some of the grant programs we specialize in here:
- Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) – We’ve hear back from ED and there will not be a new PEP competition in 2015 despite indications to the contrary on the current Forecast. For more information and alternative grant opportunities to consider see are 2015 PEP grant update post.
- Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Programs – This program will fund “down the slate” in 2015. 2014 applicants should pay attention to updates on the program and be sure the email they used for their project is still in use and frequently checked. Awards will be made on or before 9/30/2015.
- School Climate Transformation Grant – This program will fund “down the slate” in 2015. 2014 applicants should pay attention to updates on the program and be sure the email they used for their project is still in use and frequently checked.
- Project Prevent Grant Program – This program will fund “down the slate” in 2015. 2014 applicants should pay attention to updates on the program and be sure the email they used for their project is still in use and frequently checked.
- Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools TA Grant Program – This program estimates 5 awards in the amount of $500,000 based on the Forecast.
- Full-Service Community Schools – This program’s information was previously updated with 10 awards with an estimated average size of $500,000 expected. Per our communication with the Program Manager, while down-the-slate funding is not yet indicated on the Forecast for this program, ED has not yet determined whether new awards will be made down the slate or if a new competition will be held in 2015.
Although there are no estimated dates for the programs mentioned it is helpful to see what programs ED expects to make awards for in 2015. As updates happen, we’ll be updating our blog as well as InsightGrants on twitter.
Why Isn’t Your District Applying for School Climate Transformation Grants for LEAs in 2014?
On 5/13/2014, we published a blog post about one of the US Department of Education’s new school safety grants: School Climate Transformation Grants for LEAs. Applicants can request up to $750,000 per year for up to five years for projects that, “develop, enhance, or expand systems of support for, and technical assistance to, schools implementing an evidence-based multi-tiered behavioral framework for improving behavioral outcomes and learning conditions for all students.” This is a terrific opportunity for Local Educational Agencies such as school districts, charter schools, and consortia of LEAs to obtain funding for programs and resources that support positive student behaviors, social and emotional development, and mental health for students!
If these are areas of need in your schools, here are the top 6 reasons you should apply to this program in 2014 rather than a future year:
- Student needs won’t be resolved without intervention! Every student deserves a safe, comfortable, equitable learning environment that is supportive of his/her success. Apply in 2014 because your students shouldn’t have to wait any longer for an improved school climate–and can’t afford to.
- Approximately 118 awards are expected in 2014! While 5-10 years ago it might not have been terribly uncommon to see a grant program make 100-200 awards, those days are pretty much gone. In recent years, programs making 50-80 awards are thought to be making a lot of awards since most programs make under 50 awards in a given year, and many make far under 50. Apply in 2014 because based on the anticipated number of awards alone, your odds of winning will be significantly better than for most current grant programs.
- If this grant is offered again next year, more likely than not ED will only be able to make about half as many awards (or fewer) unless substantially more funding is allocated. In other future years, the number of new awards may be even smaller. Since this is a five-year grant program, this year–the very first year of the program–is likely to be the year we see the most new grants funded for several years since ED will have to use a portion of the funds allocated each future year to fund the continuation awards in addition to any new awards. In some future years, ED will be funding multiple years of continuation awards. For example, in 2018, ED will be funding awardees in Year 2 (2017 winners), Year 3 (2016 winners), Year 4 (2015 winners), and Year 5 (2016 winners). Continuation awards are typically committed before any new awards are made, as is fair. Whatever money remains in the allocation is available for new awards. In some future years, there may only be enough remaining for a small number of new awards or none at all. Apply in 2014 because it is likely fewer new awards (if any) will be available each future year, as the program will be supporting significant numbers of continuation awards.
- Applications are due 6/23/2014! While that’s less than a month away, if you begin working this week and work very diligently until the deadline, you still have time to put together a strong application. This is especially true if you recently applied for the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling grants due 4/28/2014 or a similarly-focused funding stream, since much of the need information is likely to be the same. You may be shying away from this application based on the fact that it’s due right as school is wrapping up for some districts and after school has closed for the summer for others. Here’s the thing: many schools are thinking that way, and June and July deadlines for US ED grants sometimes have few applicants for that reason! Apply in 2014 to seize the opportunity to be one of what is likely to be a relatively small pool (comparatively) of brave applicants who apply for a grant at the start of or during their summer breaks and capitalize on increased odds of winning as a result!
- This program is new this year! As programs age, they tend to evolve. While that is usually in many ways a really good thing, from an applicant/awardee standpoint, it often also means more rules and requirements during both the application and award periods. Apply in 2014 to take advantage of what are likely to be the least demanding application and award period reporting requirements!
- You can be one of the first! If you have an interest in serving as a leader for other schools in your county, region, state, or the nation, this grant offers you a great opportunity to do that in the area of behavioral health–one of the areas for which until now schools haven’t received much funding at all in recent years despite great need. Due to support by both the President and Congress, that’s about to change. 2014 will be the first year of award for this program, as well as for Project Aware (due 6/16/2014), Project Prevent (due 6/30/2014), and School Justice Collaboration Program: Keeping Kids in School and Out of Court (due 7/21/2014). Apply in 2014 to this and/or any of the three other new school safety grants to be leader and a model for other schools in improving student behavior and mental health to improve student safety and achievement!
Useful Resource for Grant Seekers: Polar USA Funding & Grants Section
This year we’ve been working with our long-term partner Polar USA to develop a very useful funding & grants section for grant seekers. If you are a physical educator looking for more information on grants in general, or anyone looking to implement a program with Polar products or services included, you will definitely benefit from this information. Even if you hadn’t thought about including Polar in a grant to this point, the site is worth a visit. The pages include an explanation of how to determine whether you are ready to begin applying for grants–and what to do if you aren’t ready yet, tips for applying for grants, information on Polar products and how they fit into grants and can support grant project success, current grant opportunities you can apply to, research reports of grants that span the full year and beyond, and other helpful content!
Insight is very pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Polar to share our knowledge and experience to create and present this helpful section. We hope that physical educators and other grant seekers will utilize the information now and in the future. Over the years we’ve seen several grant resources offered by many different groups, but the biggest flaw we see is that the information usually isn’t presented in a way that really supports the reader taking the full necessary series of next steps to apply for a grant in a truly competitive manner. For this reason, the Insight team has made it our goal to generate content that is actionable–even for grant seekers who are entirely new to the process. Visit often, as more content will be added throughout the year!
For those unfamiliar with Polar products, Polar makes outstanding heart rate monitors, activity monitors, and activity and fitness assessment tracking and reporting software (including wireless, iPad, and handheld device-friendly options), in addition to offering high-quality product-related trainings. Polar products give physical educators the ability to assess students individually, efficiently, objectively, and in real time. Polar products have been implemented in countless schools and have played a major role in the drastic improvement of students’ personal fitness levels and increased PE class engagement time and time again. Polar also offers products and services to support individuals, health clubs and gyms, athletes and athletic teams, first responders, worksite wellness programs, and others. To learn more about Polar, see their full line of products, read about successes through their “Showcase Schools” section, and find out how to connect with their sales team, visit Polar.com. To read about products and services specific to your organization type, click on “Group Solutions” and then select the appropriate category: Physical Education, Club Solutions, Team Sports, Corporate Wellness & Health Care Professionals, Protective Services, or Equipment Manufacturers.
