FAQs FIPSE Modeling and Simulation Program Grant ver2_OGC final ver2.pdf

Modeling and Simulation Program (MSP)

CFDA Number: 84.116S Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Priorities Questions:

1. Are applicants required to address the Absolute Priority?

Yes, applicants must only address one of the two absolute priorities established for this competition, not both. Invitational Priorities or Competitive Preference Priorities are optional.

2. In addition to the absolute priorities, are there additional requirements to be competitive?

Yes, applicants must address the Selection Criteria to be competitive. Available points for each criterion are assigned in the parentheses next to each selection criterion.

3. Will there be equal consideration given to small colleges and universities? Or is this funding targeting larger organizations?

Yes, equal consideration will be given as there are no additional priority points to be earned based on the size of a college or university.

4. Can an applicant apply under both Absolute Priority 1 and Absolute Priority 2?

No. As noted above in Question 1, eligible institutions can only apply under one absolute priority, not both.

5. I was reading the funding opportunity announcement and wanted to confirm the following:

(1) A Community College can or cannot apply to the invitational priority (Promoting Equity in Student Access to Educational Resources and Opportunities)? (1a) If so, do they have to meet one of the other two priorities? (1b) If not, how do they apply to the Invitational priority (the guidelines were not clear to me)?

(1) Community colleges (as defined under the NIA) may apply under the invitational priority.

(1a) If the institution (such as a community college) meets eligibility requirements for this competition, the applicant must identify which absolute priority it is applying to: Absolute Priority 1—Enhancing Modeling and Simulation at Institutions of Higher Education or Absolute Priority 2—Establishing Modeling and Simulation Programs. We consider applications that meet one of the two absolute priorities; not both.

(1b) Applicants may apply in partnership with any of the types of institutions listed in the Invitational Priority in order to address how they will demonstrate that the project will be implemented by or in partnership with one or more of these types of entities.

Application & Eligibility Questions:

6. Could applications be mailed, or hand delivered?

The Department’s preferred method to submit applications electronically using Grants.gov at:

http://www.grants.gov. If you submit your application through Grants.gov, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement as to when your application was received. Applications that are mailed must refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal Register on December 7, 2022 (87 FR http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/87-FR-75045

75045), and available at www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554. The Department does not accept hand delivered applications.

7. What is an NIA?

The NIA (Notice Inviting Applications) published in the Federal Register is the official document describing the requirements for submitting a Modeling and Simulation Program grant application. Applicants should not rely upon any information that is inconsistent with the guidance contained in the NIA.

8. After submitting an application, can I “un-submit” the application in Grants.gov due to inadvertently omitting a document or discover an error?

No. If you discover changes or additions are needed after submitting your application, you must “re-submit” the entire application. If the Department receives duplicate applications, the Department will accept and process the application with the latest “date/time received” validation.

9. Can an eligible institution of higher education (IHE) submit more than one application during the same funding opportunity year?

No. For this competition, grants are awarded on a competitive basis; therefore, an IHE meeting eligibility requirement may submit only one application.

10. Are there page limits? Also, can tables and charts be singled space (i.e., the logic model)?

We recommend applicants limit the application narrative to no more than 50 pages and use the following standards:

• A “page” is 8.5" x 11", on one side only, with 1" margins at the top, bottom, and both sides.

• Double-space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs (if the logic model is in a graph or chart, recommendations are double-spaced).

• Use a font that is either 12 point or larger, and no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch).

• Use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial.

The recommended page limit applies to the application narrative, which is your complete response to the selection criteria and any response to the invitational priority.

11. What is the deadline for application transmission?

June 23, 2023, 11:59:59 p.m.

12. Can institutions of higher education (IHEs) that received more than $500,000 in other FIPSE funding apply for the Modeling and Simulation Program grant?

Yes.

13. “I am wondering if this program is open to a wide range of simulation types or if it is primarily focused on computer science and mathematics simulations”. Can you clarify?

Modeling and Simulation Program seeks to fund the “development or enhancement of degree programs focused on modeling and simulation technology”. The program is not primary focus on computer science and mathematics simulations. It’s up to the “Eligible institution” to provide a detailed plan on how they will “establish” or “enhance” a modeling and simulation program.

https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/87-FR-75045 http://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-26554

NOTE: Simulation technology can be found in many fields including industries, mining, healthcare, manufacturing, etc.

14. If an applicant does not meet eligibility requirements in other areas, will the application still be considered?

Applications will be screened in accordance with requirements in the Federal Register to determine whether they have met eligibility and other requirements.

15. In the “Priorities section” of the funding announcement states, “This notice contains two absolute priorities and one invitational priority. Applicants may only apply under one of the two absolute priorities.” Does the second sentence mean an institution is only allowed to submit one single application (across the entire institution) per Absolute Priority? or, that every applicant can only submit to one Absolute Priority within each individual application, but there is no institutional limit on the number of applications an institution can put forward?

The eligible institution (potential applicant) submits only one (1) application.

16. I am interested in creating a PhD program in modeling and simulation. We have PhD students working in this environment; however, we do not offer a formalized training program or a major specific for a PhD student. After review of current grantees, I noticed their awards do not offer Modeling and Simulation in Health Sciences. Can you clarify if the MSP grant falls under Health Sciences?

The focus of MSP grant program is to fund “the development or enhancement of degree programs focused on modeling and simulation technology”.

Modeling and Simulation Program funding opportunity is twofold; eligible institutions (review the Eligibility Information in the NIA) may apply under Absolute Priority 1-Enhancing Modeling and Simulation at Institutions of Higher Education which an eligible institution propose to enhance an existing “modeling and simulation degree program” including a major, minor, or career-track program, or an existing certificate or concentration program, or apply under Absolute Priority 2— Establishing Modeling and Simulation Programs which an eligible institution propose to establish, or work toward the establishment of, a “modeling and simulation program, including a major, minor, career-track, certificate, or concentration program”.

Potential applicants cannot apply under both funding during a competition.

17. How many Modeling and Simulation Program applications were received and funded in 2021 and 2022?

Five (5) application were received; five (5) applications were funded in year 2021. Five (5) applications were received; three (3) applications were funded in the year 2022.

18. We have health science programs that use simulation in a limited capacity. Could the program’s usage of funds be used to expand, update, and grow the use of simulations across the campus? In addition, we seek to develop a human performance lab in space and technology for our health allied students, expand our nursing simulation in space and added technology and then expand simulation experiences across other academic programs. Is this an appropriate use of the grant funds?

The “Funding Restrictions” section outlines usage of funds for each Absolute priority.

19. Examples shared during the Pre-application Technical Assistance Webinar included “bold” text within statements and keywords. Should we (applicants) use bold text similar to the webinar examples?

No, applicants’ responses do not require bold text.

20. Can a current Modeling and Simulation Program apply under this year’s grant program competition?

A previously awarded grantee may apply under a new competition year for an additional award if they will be conducting new activities and not duplicating the work of their current grant.

21. Does the Logic Model graphic have to be “double-spaced” or could it be “singled-space”?

We recommend you limit the application narrative to no more than 50 pages and use the following standards: a “page” is 8.5" x 11", on one side only, with 1" margins at the top, bottom, and both sides; double-space (no more than three lines per vertical inch) all text in the application narrative, including titles, headings, footnotes, quotations, references, and captions, as well as all text in charts, tables, figures, and graphs; use a font that is either 12 point or larger, and no smaller than 10 pitch (characters per inch); and use one of the following fonts: Times New Roman, Courier, Courier New, or Arial. The Notice contains additional information regarding formatting instructions. Additional information can be found in the application instruction booklet found in Grants.gov.

Budget Questions:

22. Can applicants request amounts over the maximum amount?

No. Awards will not be granted over the maximum allowable amount.

23. What is the performance period?

The initial performance period is for a three-year period (up to 36 months), which may be extended for not more than two years.

24. Is there an Indirect Cost restriction?

This program uses an unrestricted indirect cost rate. For more information regarding indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, visit, www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.

25. Is there a Cost Sharing or Cost Matching requirement?

Yes, cost sharing or cost matching is required from non-Federal sources, in cash or in-kind, an amount equal to 25 percent of the amount of the grant to carry out the activities supported by the grant.

26. About the cost share, will the base of 25% cost share be the total project budget (funded + cost share) or just the funded grant budget. For example, if the grant funds $1M, the cost share is $250,000. The total project cost will be $1.25M. On the other hand, 25% of $1.25 will be $312,000?

The cost share portion is the amount equal to 25 percent of the amount of the grant award (the total approved budget). So, your cost share portion is a 25% match for each federal dollar awarded. ex. $1M grant award, the cost share is $250,000.

27. Are points given for providing greater than the 25% cost share/matching?

No additional points are given for cost share greater than 25%.

28. For the budget justification about writing a white paper, what is the guideline of how much a typical white paper page is charged? I have reference info about $500 per page maximum.

Is it used to cover the professional editing service, book publisher cost or web hosting for dissemination?

Regarding the cost of white papers, or any other grant related costs, generally, the Department does not advise on specific cost amounts. IHEs are responsible for justifying and documenting grant related cost associate with White Paper.

29. For the cost share, will the portion of the Indirect Cost charged by university that would return to PI (lost IDC) can be considered as the cost share?

IDC should not be used in the cost share portion as IDC is part of the federal funded portion of an award. Refer to federal regulation, 2 CFR 200.306 -Cost sharing or matching -https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306

30. Can a Grantee award subgrants to carry out project activities?

No. Grantees under this competition may not award subgrants to entities to directly carry out project activities described in its application.

Taskforce Membership Questions:

31. Will applicants become eligible members of the Task Force under this Grant?

Yes. Task force membership shall be composed of representatives from IHEs to include additional federal agencies, private sectors, and other national modeling and simulation organizations.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.306