Additional Questions in Response to Original Q&A.docx

Additional Questions from Last Posted Q&A:

Q 1.) In response to Question 6 on the Q&A Final document, posted on June 2nd, NEA/AC stated:

The first year of the award will be focused on setting up the mechanisms for recruitment and no testing fees should be budgeted for. For budgeting purposes testing fees should be included for years two through five of the proposal.

This response seems to indicate, in the underlined section, that no recruitment will happen for the undergraduate and graduate programs in the first year of the program. That seems to contradict the other responses and the NOFO. Could you please clarify?

A 1.) As stated in the previous response, the first year of the award will be utilized in setting up the mechanisms (e.g. database or on-line platform) processes, policies, procedures, and strategy for the undergraduate and graduate recruitment for future cycles. As referenced on page 9 of the NOFO, student recruitment for the undergraduate project is expected to start in 2022 to enable students to be enrolled in 2023. The graduate recruitment is expected to start in 2023 to enable students to be enrolled in 2024, pending availability of funding for the graduate projects. The implementing organization will work closely with NEA/AC and participating universities in developing an innovative and robust recruitment strategy during the first year. The implementing organization should submit a detailed budget for 12 months, as well as a notional budget for four additional out (option) years, where testing fees and other direct recruitment items can be budgeted for (section A 1., page 19).