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Grant Competition:
Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Models on College Campuses (CFDA #84.184N)
(FY 2005)
Frequently Asked Questions
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General
What steps can I take to maximize my chances of receiving a grant?
What is an indirect cost rate?
An indirect cost is an expense that you incur that is necessary to implementing the grant, but may be difficult to identify with your grant. For example, indirect costs may include money spent for heat, light, rent, telephone, security, accounting, and Internet use.
If your organization prefers to use all of its grant funds for direct project costs, you are not required to charge the grant for indirect costs. If you wish to charge indirect costs, however, you must use a negotiated indirect cost rate for this competition.
For more information, please see: www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/fipao/icgindex.html.
Is there a restricted indirect cost rate for this program?
No. The indirect cost rate is the negotiated rate between the applicant and cognizant federal agency. For the majority of institutions of higher education, the cognizant federal agency will be the Department of Health and Human Services (in other cases, it may be the Department of Education, Department of the Interior, or the Office of Naval Research). For more information about indirect cost rates, please visit www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/fipao/abouticg.html.
For my GEPA 427 statement (see page 25), is it adequate to state that our organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, etc.?
No. An organization’s non-discrimination statement is not sufficient to meet the GEPA requirements. A GEPA statement should outline an entity’s potential barriers and solutions to equal access.
What kinds of activities are likely to be “human subjects research”?
ED’s regulations for the protection of human subjects, 34 CFR Part 97, defines research as a systematic investigation (including program evaluation) designed to develop or contribute to general knowledge. A “systematic” investigation typically uses scientific methods (such as adequate sample sizes, surveys, control groups, and/or randomization). Studies of alcohol abuse reduction programs may fit the definition of “research” if they are designed so that the findings transcend the study site or population studied and it contributes to the development of new knowledge about what works (and how) in alcohol abuse reduction. Research becomes “human subjects” research when the researcher obtains data about an individual through an intervention or otherwise obtains identifiable private information about individuals for research purposes.
For additional information on human subjects research go to:
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/humansub.html
If human research activities are planned, what should the applicant do?
The applicant must provide a brief narrative of research activities or the seven-point non-exempt narrative. Applicants are not required to have an assurance or to obtain the approval of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to applying for the grant.
What happens once the application is selected for funding and non-exempt human subjects research activities are planned?
The grantee (and any other institution performing research) will need to provide an assurance in which the grantee agrees to follow ED regulations for the protection of human subjects. In addition, the proposed research will also have to be reviewed and approved by an IRB. ED can offer guidance to grantees with regard to any assurance needed and on finding an IRB.
May I charge the cost of the IRB review of my proposal to the grant?
Yes. You may charge all costs associated with IRB to the grant.
How does the Freedom of Information Act affect my application?
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) was enacted in 1966 and provides the right to request access to federal agency records or information. All agencies of the U.S. Government are required to disclose records upon receiving a written request for them, except for those records that are protected from disclosure by the nine exemptions listed in the FOIA. All applications submitted for funding consideration under this grant competition are subject to the FOIA. To read the text of the Freedom of Information Act, visit www.usdoj.gov/04foia/foiastat.htm.
Why do I need a valid e-mail address?
We often have questions about aspects of the application that need to be clarified. These questions usually arise late in the application review process and require a rapid response. Valid e-mail addresses of persons who are knowledgeable about the application and can answer questions are essential. In addition, we no longer mail peer reviewer comments. We will send you instructions via e-mail on how to get access to reviewer comments on your application on-line.
Submission requirements
Are electronic application submissions required under this competition?
No. However, you may submit your application electronically if you wish. Complete instructions for electronic submissions can be found at http://www.grants.gov.
What is the deadline date for transmittal of applications under this grant competition?
August 1, 2005.
May I get an extension of the deadline date?
Waivers for individual applications failing to meet the deadline will not be granted, regardless of the circumstances. Under extraordinary circumstances the Department may change the closing date for a grant competition. When this occurs, the Secretary announces this change in a notice published in the Federal Register.
Competition Specific
Who is eligible to apply?
This grant competition is open to institutions of higher education (IHEs) that offer an associate or baccalaureate degree.
My institution received an award as a model program several years ago. May I apply again this year?
To be eligible, your institution must not have received an award under this competition (CFDA 84.184N) during the previous five fiscal years. That would include any competitions held in fiscal years 2000 through 2004.
How long must programs have been implemented in order to be eligible?
Programs must have been implemented for at least two full academic years. We are defining an academic year as the fall through spring semesters (or equivalent, for those institutions that are not on a semester system). Therefore, for the purposes of this competition, a program should have begun implementation no later than fall 2002.
How much money is available under this grant competition?
The Department expects to make available approximately $750,000 for this program in fiscal year 2005.
What are the program elements that applicants must address?
A project funded under this absolute priority must include all of the following activities:
(1) A description of an alcohol or other drug prevention program that has been implemented for at least two full academic years on the applicant’s campus;
(2) Evidence of the effectiveness of the program on the applicant’s campus;
(3) A plan to enhance and further evaluate the program during the project period; and
(4) A plan to disseminate information to assist other IHEs in implementing a similar
program.
Does the applicant need to address all four program elements to be considered for this competition?
Yes. Applicants that do not address all four required program elements will be considered non-responsive to the absolute priority for this program.
How many new awards will be made?
It is estimated that 10 new awards will be made.
What is the project and budget period for these grants?
15 months.
Do I need to submit a budget narrative for each year?
The budget period will be one 15-month period. Please submit a budget narrative that reflects this one 15-month budget period. For additional guidance on preparing a budget narrative, please see www.ed.gov/admins/grants/apply/techassist/resource_pg8.html.
What is the average amount of each grant?
Projects will be funded for approximately $50,000 to $125,000 per year depending on the scope of work. These figures are only estimates and do not bind the Department of Education to a specific number of grants or amount of any grant.
Is there a minimum or maximum amount that may be requested to support a project?
No. Although the application package includes an estimated range of awards, an applicant should request the amount needed to support the goals, objectives, and scope of the proposed project, including a detailed justification for that amount.
Is there a matching requirement?
No.
Are there guidelines for how much money can be spent on consultants? What is the daily limit and is there a cap?
There is no daily limit or cap for consultant fees. Information related to these fees should be included on ED Form 524 under the budget categories of “Contractual” or “Other.” Applicants should be sure to fully substantiate all expenditures in the budget narrative. All costs must be necessary and reasonable and consistent with the purposes of the grant.
What are some of the circumstances that a grant application that is submitted for funding under this competition be deemed ineligible for review?
An application submitted for funding under this competition will be deemed ineligible for funding if it does not meet the absolute priority. Also, any IHE that has received funds under this grant competition (CFDA 84.184N) during the previous five fiscal years (fiscal years 2000 through 2004) is not eligible for funding under this program.
Will all applicants receive a site visit as part of the review?
No. Only high-scoring applicants will be selected for site visits.
Who do I contact for more information about this grant competition?
Vera Messina, Education Program Specialist, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Room 3E258, Washington, DC 20202-6450, Phone: (202) 260-8273, Fax: (202) 260-7767, E-mail: vera.messina@ed.gov
OR
Ruth Tringo, Education Program Specialist, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Room 3E338, Washington, DC 20202-6450, Phone: (202) 260-2838, Fax: (202) 260-7767, E-mail: ruth.tringo@ed.gov
Last Update: February 7, 2005
