Preparing Successful Federal Grant Applications

P. Gregory SmithUSDA / NIFA

Higher Education Programs(202) 720-1973 gsmith@NIFA.usda.gov

www.NIFA.usda.gov

Finding Federal GrantsNon-Competitive (Congressional Earmarks)

• If you have to ask… you’re not eligible!

Mandatory (Formula, Block or Entitlement grants)

• $$ Amount & Eligibility determined by law

Discretionary (Competitive or Project Grants)

• Broad Eligibility, but also…• Large applicant pool• Usually peer reviewed• Evaluation based on criteria & merit• $$ Amount & Eligibility determined by Federal Agency

administering grant

Discretionary Awards Process

1. Application Submission

2. Peer Panel Evaluation

3. Administrative Approval

4. Annual & Final Performance Monitoring

Federal Funding SourcesGrants.gov• Find competitive grant opportunities• Search $$ sources by Agency or Discipline• Submit application electronically to any Federal grant-

making agency• Electronic submission requires:

– Data Universal Number System (DUNS)– Central Contractor Registry (CCR)– http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted

CFDA.gov• Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance• Locate all sources of grants, loans, insurance, used

property…etc.,

Application Development

1. Develop / Focus your project:

– Priority & Educational Strategy

– Logic Model: (inputs, products, impacts)

2. Lay out a Plan of Work

– Provide timelines & resources needed

– List responsibilities of all personnel

3. Construct budget; provide narrative

4. Evaluation/Outcomes – Distinguish between what you purchase and anticipated

educational impacts (i.e., between new equipment vs. new knowledge)

Proposal AttributesDemonstrate Innovation• Teaching strategies truly new to your discipline or location;

Do your homework!• Reduce duplication; Maximize resources; Increase

collaboration

Make it Compelling!• …Do we really need another course on the Internet?• Address USDA Strategic Priorities• Non-traditional partnerships• Impact large # of students

Gain Experience• Volunteer to serve on a Peer Panel• Study successful projects & proposals

Rejected Applications

1. Failure to follow grant guidelines (Read)

2. Emphasize too much; accomplish too little (Focus project on measurable impacts)

3. Undocumented Need (Outside support)

4. Weak Partnerships (Document by letters & include resources )

5. Evaluation/Impact (highlight anticipated educational or societal benefits rather than your purchases (i.e., new knowledge vs. new equipment)

Secondary, 2-Yr. Postsecondary & AG in K-12 Classroom Education Challenge CFDA: 10.226

Innovative Teaching Enhancements

• Curriculum & faculty development…etc.

• Improve how faculty deliver academic instruction

• Emphasis on encouraging students to transfer to higher education institutions and complete advanced degrees

Award Range: $35,000 - $50,000 % Funded: 53%

Applications Due: January 15, 2010 NPL: P. Gregory Smith

Secondary, 2-Yr. Postsecondary & AG in K-12 Classroom Education Challenge CFDA: 10.226

• Regular – up to 35,000 (applicant only)• Joint – up to $ 50,000 (applicant + 1 or more partners)

Applicant retains at least 30%, but no more than 70%; Partners get no less than 10%

Matching funds required: $ for $ (cash and /or ‘in-kind’ services…) Must be from a non-Federal source Only items similar to what grant would fund

Funding: approximately $1 million*; http://www.NIFA.usda.gov/fo/educationchallengesecondaryhep.cfm

Application Resources General Application Q&A Information:• http://www.NIFA.usda.gov/home/faq_apply.html

RFA for SPECA grant program• http://www.NIFA.usda.gov/fo/educationchallengesecondaryhep.cfm

Electronic Application Submission Guidelines:• http://www.NIFA.usda.gov/funding/pdfs/application_checklist.pdf

Sample Application Package:• http://www.NIFA.usda.gov/funding/pdfs/sampe_adobe_forms_package.pdf