FY '19 HSI RFA.pdf

Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program

Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Request for Applications (RFA)

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Regular: May 15, 2019 Collaboration: May 16, 2019 Conference: May 16, 2019

ELIGIBILITY: See Part III, A of RFA

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURE

HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTIONS EDUCATION GRANTS PROGRAM

INITIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE: This program is listed in the Assistance Listings under the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 10.223.

DATES: All Regular applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time May 15, 2019.

All Collaboration applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on May 16, 2019. All Conference grant applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 16, 2019.

Applications received after this deadline will normally not be considered for funding (see Part IV, C of this RFA). Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.

STAKEHOLDER INPUT: We at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) seek your comments about this RFA. We will consider your comments when we develop the next RFA for the program, if applicable, and we’ll use them to meet the requirements of section 103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C.

7613(c)(2)). Submit your written stakeholder comments regarding this request for applications (RFA) within six months from the issuance of this notice via email to Policy@nifa.usda.gov.

(This email address is only for receiving comments regarding this RFA and not for requesting information or forms.) In your comments, please state that you are responding to the Hispanic- Serving Institutions Education Grants Program RFA.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: NIFA requests applications for the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Education Grants Program for fiscal year (FY) 2019 to promote and strengthen the ability of HSIs to carry out higher education programs that attract, retain, and graduate outstanding students capable of enhancing the nation’s food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences professional and scientific work force.

The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2019 is approximately $8.8 million. Of this amount, approximately $3.25 million will be used to fund previous projects funded via continuations. The remaining $5.55 million will be available for new projects under this RFA.

This notice identifies the objectives for the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Education Grants Program and associated grant deadline dates, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application instructions and forms needed to apply to the HSI Education Grants Program.

mailto:Policy@nifa.usda.gov

Table of Contents

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority B. Purpose and Priorities C. Program Area Description Key Information:

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding B. Types of Applications C. Project and Grant Types D. Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research

PART III—ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants B. Cost Sharing or Matching

PART IV—APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Electronic Application Package B. Content and Form of Application Submission C. Submission Dates and Times D. Funding Restrictions E. Other Submission Requirements

PART V—APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. General B. Evaluation Criteria C. Conflicts of Interest and Confidentiality D. Organizational Management Information E. Application Disposition

PART VI—AWARD ADMINISTRATION

A. General B. Award Notice C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements D. Expected Program Outputs and Reporting Requirements

PART VII—AGENCY CONTACTS

PART VIII—OTHER INFORMATION

A. Use of Funds; Changes B. Confidential Aspects of Applications and Awards C. Regulatory Information D. Definitions E. Materials Available on the Internet

Table of Tables

Table 1 - Number of Applications Allowed per Institution Table 2 - Number of Students Supported by Level of Study

Table of Figures Figure 1 - Recommended Format for Submitting Expected Impacts

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority

Section 1455 of National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA), reauthorized by section 7121 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, provides the Secretary of Agriculture with the authority to make competitive grants to Hispanic- Serving Institutions for the purpose of promoting and strengthening their ability to carry out education, applied research, and community development programs. This program is administered under the provisions of section 1455 of NARETPA (7 U.S.C. 3241) pursuant to section 815 of Public Law 104-127 and Public Law 110-246.

Per section 7128 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-246), projects and activities funded under this program are no longer required to be part of a consortia of Hispanic-Serving Institutions to be supported by the grant.

B. Purpose and Priorities

The purpose of the HSI Education Grants Program is to encourage innovative teaching or education proposals with potential to impact and become models for other institutions that serve underrepresented students, at the regional or national level. Projects supported by this program:

1. Attract and support undergraduate and graduate students from underrepresented groups in order to prepare them for careers related to the food, agriculture, natural resources and human (FANH) sciences in the United States;

2. Enhance the quality of postsecondary instruction within the above disciplines;

3. Provide opportunities and access to FANH careers in the public and private sector; and

4. Align the efforts of HSIs and other non-profit organizations to support academic development and career attainment of underrepresented groups.

By supporting Innovative teaching and education, the HSI Program directly aligns with:

2018-2022 USDA Strategic Plan, Strategic Goal #4 -- Facilitate Rural Prosperity and Economic Development; Objective 4.1: Expand rural business opportunity and rural quality of life with access to capital; improved infrastructure, broadband access and connectivity; and support for workforce availability.

Eligible institutions may propose projects in any discipline(s) or subject matter area(s) of the FANH sciences. More specific information on what is considered food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences, and allowable program activities can be found on the webpage link listed under “Materials Available on the Internet” under section VIII, E of this solicitation.

Leadership Skills Development:

The development of leadership skills, knowledge, and qualities is necessary to prepare students for agricultural and related careers in the private sector, government, and academia. HSI https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/usda-strategic-plan-2018-2022.pdf

Education Grants Program teaching applications must demonstrably incorporate a leadership development component to equip students with technical and leadership abilities upon graduation.

Specific Leadership activities may include:

1. Developing practical applications to increase understanding of leadership roles, including critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills; ethics and professionalism;

and working in teams;

2. Connecting the academic classroom experience with daily leadership roles and organizational activities;

3. Providing opportunities for mentoring and shadowing; and

4. Organizing leadership academies, workshops, trainings, etc.

C. Program Area Description

Key Information:

Program Code – NJ Program Code Name – Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program (HSI) Code of Federal Domestic Assistance- 10.223 Requested Project Types – Education/Teaching Projects Requested Grant Types – Regular, Collaboration, and Conference Grants only

Table 1: Number of Applications Allowed per Institution

Letter of Intent is not required for this program.

For FY 2019, an institution may not submit more than two Collaboration, and two Conference applications to this program, as a lead institution. There is no limit on the number of Regular application submitted by an institution.

For FY 2019 only two awards will be made to the same lead institution, with up to one being a Collaboration award. Conference awards are excluded from this award limitation.

In order to receive an award in FY 2019, the lead institution may not have more than five HSIs-funded active awards as lead institution, excluding projects in No-Cost Extension status.

Program Area Contact – Dr. Irma Lawrence, (202)720-2082, ilawrence@nifa.usda.gov

Grant Application

Type

Maximum Number of Applications per

Institution

Maximum Amount per Award

Submission Due Date (5:00 pm Eastern Time)

Regular Open $250,000 60 days after publication Collaboration 2 $1,000,000 61 days after publication Conference 2 $50,000 62 days after publication mailto:ilawrence@nifa.usda.gov

The HSI Education Grants Program develops human capital relevant to the HSI goals listed above. The specific Educational Need Areas that support those goals are:

1. Curricula Design, Degree Programs, Materials Development, and Library Resources;

2. Faculty Preparation and Enhancement for Teaching;

3. Instruction Delivery Systems;

4. Scientific Instrumentation for Teaching;

5. Student Experiential Learning; and

6. Student Recruitment and Retention

More detailed information on these Educational Need Areas and participant eligibility can be found on the webpage link listed under “Materials Available on the Internet” under section VIII, E of this solicitation.

Disciplines:

The HSI program will support applications from any number of disciplines in the FANH sciences. More specific information on what is considered food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences, and allowable program activities can be found on the webpage link listed under “Materials Available on the Internet” under section VIII, E of this solicitation. Other disciplines will be considered provided there is strong justification on their relationship with the agricultural enterprise.

Social and behavioral science disciplines:

Projects that integrate social and behavioral sciences with biological sciences to provide experiential learning opportunities for students in community development programs are encouraged. Incorporation of social and behavioral sciences is important for addressing many of the challenges facing agriculture and rural communities, such as increasing global demand for food production in the face of limited natural resources, improving health and reducing obesity by engaging in heathy diets, and alleviating poverty by fostering economic opportunity.

Applications may propose, as part of a formal education and teaching program, that students gain experience with applied research and extension outreach activity. Activities supported should better position the institution(s) involved to engage on its (their) role as a HSI and reach out to the current or potential underrepresented student population. Applicants must describe in the budget narrative how these funds will be allocated. Projects with budget requests exceeding the budgetary guidelines will not be reviewed.

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding

The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2019 is approximately $8.8 million. Of this amount, approximately $3.25 million will be used to fund previous projects funded via continuations. The remaining $5.55 million will be available for new projects.

There is no commitment by USDA to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards.

The Automated Standard Applications for Payment System (ASAP), operated by the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service, is the designated payment system for awards resulting from this RFA. For more information see https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm.

B. Types of Applications

In FY 2019, only new or resubmitted applications will be accepted.

New application. This is a project application that has not been previously submitted to the HSI Program. We will review all new applications competitively using the screening for administrative requirements and review panel evaluation of proposals using the evaluation criteria and selection process described in Part V—Application Review Requirements.

Resubmitted application. This is an application that has been previously submitted to the HSI Program but not funded. Project Directors (PDs) must respond to the previous review panel summary (see Response to Previous Review, Part IV). Resubmitted applications must be received by the relevant due dates. Resubmitted applications will be evaluated in competition with other pending applications in the appropriate area to which they are assigned and reviewed according to the same evaluation criteria (Part V, B) as new applications.

C. Project and Grant Types

1. Project Types

In FY 2019, the HSI grant program will only accept Education/Teaching Projects. Single-function Education/Teaching Projects develop human capital relevant to overall program goals for U.S. agriculture. Projects should focus on developing skills necessary for entry-and mid-level technical employment or for entering graduate programs in FANH sciences.

2. Grant Types

There are three grant types for the HSIs Education Grants Program: Regular, Collaboration, and Conference grants.

https://www.fiscal.treasury.gov/fsservices/gov/pmt/asap/asap_home.htm

a) Regular Grant:

The Regular Grants support targeted, original, scientific Education/Teaching Projects.

Applicants would be eligible HSI institutions (two or 4-year independent branch campus, or branch institution of a State system) with project activities to be undertaken principally on behalf of and for the benefit of the lead HSI. Applicants may partner with other HSI or non-HSI without the requirement of sharing grant funds with other project partners.

Grants will be funded at up to $250,000 total for a period of up to four years. Regular project applicants may request additional funding (up to $25,000) to provide financial assistance to one student beyond his/her participation in the project that will address this purpose for an award total of up to $275,000.

Bridge grants, a subset of regular grants, may be available to enhance institutional capacity with the goal of strengthening the capacity of the applicant’s education programs and the competitiveness of future grant applications. To be considered for a Bridge grant, applicant institutions must have not previously received HSI funds. Bridge applications will be reviewed and ranked with the rest of the regular grant applications and will be selected for funding by the review team based on their potential for enhancing agricultural education and the capacity of the applicant institution to be successful in future grant competitions. Awards made under this option will be funded at up to $200,000 for a project period of four years.

b) Collaboration Grant:

Collaboration Grants for this program must be submitted by a group of two or more HSIs forming a linkage arrangement (please see Part VIII, Section E) for the purpose of carrying out common objective(s) on the group’s behalf. The arrangement must be formed in order to promote and strengthen the institutional abilities to carry out higher education programs related to the FANH sciences.

Grants are designed to help institutions develop competitive projects, and to attract new students into careers in high-priority areas of national need. To ensure the cost-effectiveness of funded projects, the institutions will work together to graduate a minimum of fifteen undergraduate and ten graduate students from underrepresented groups in an Associate, Baccalaureate, MS or PhD degree program. Collaboration Grants will be funded up to $1,000,000 total, for a project period of four years.

All partners must have a significant role in the collaboration and each institution’s budget needs to be appropriate to support its activities. More information regarding partnership and allowed activities can be found under “Materials Available on the Internet” under section VIII, E of this solicitation.

c) Conference Grants:

Conference Grants support scientific meetings that bring together educators to identify research, education/teaching, and/or extension needs, update information, or advance an area of education/teaching. Individual conference grants must not exceed $50,000 total for a project period of up to two years. Conference grants are not renewable. Indirect costs are not permitted on Conference Grant awards.

Applicants of regular, collaboration or conference grants are encouraged, but not required, to partner with a USDA agency in order to leverage resources and expertise to the proposed project.

Application Submission and Award Limitations

For FY 2019, an institution may not submit more than two Collaboration, and two Conference applications to this program, as a lead institution. There is no limit on the number of Regular application submitted by an institution.

For FY 2019 only two awards will be made to the same lead institution, with up to one being a Collaboration award. Conference awards are excluded from this award limitation.

In order to receive an award in FY 2019, the lead institution may not have more than five HSI-funded active awards as lead institution, excluding projects which are in “No-Cost Extension” status.

D. Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research

In accordance with sections 2, 3, and 8 of 2 CFR Part 422, institutions that conduct USDA funded extramural research must foster an atmosphere conducive to research integrity, bear primary responsibility for prevention and detection of research misconduct, and maintain and effectively communicate and train their staff regarding policies and procedures. In the event an application to NIFA results in an award, the Authorized Representative (AR) assures, through acceptance of the award that the institution will comply with the above requirements. Award recipients shall, upon request, make available to NIFA the policies, procedures, and documentation to support the conduct of the training.

For information about the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research, see https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research.

The HSI program encourages (but does not require) projects that develop content suitable for delivery through eXtension (https://extension.org).

https://nifa.usda.gov/responsible-and-ethical-conduct-research https://extension.org/

PART III—ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants

Applications may only be submitted by Hispanic-Serving Institutions. To be considered an HSI, institutions must have a minimum of 25 percent undergraduate full-time Hispanic enrollment.

Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline may result in the application being excluded from consideration and, even though an application may be reviewed, will preclude NIFA from making an award.

For those new to Federal financial assistance, a grants overview page is available on the NIFA website. This page includes information about free Grants 101 Training and other resources that are highly recommended for those seeking an understanding of Federal awards.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-334) removed the matching requirements for some NIFA competitive grants imposed under the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 113-79). Therefore, there are changes to the matching requirement for some funds awarded in 2019.

For FY 2019, NIFA does not require matching support for the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program and matching resources will not be factored into the review process as evaluation criteria.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/grants-overview

PART IV—APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Electronic Application Package

Only electronic applications may be submitted via Grants.gov to NIFA in response to this RFA.

We urge you to submit early to the Grants.gov system. For information about the pre-award phase of the grant lifecycle see https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html.

New Users of Grants.gov

Prior to preparing an application, we recommend that the Project Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) first contact an Authorized Representative (AR) to determine if the organization is prepared to submit electronic applications through Grants.gov. If not (e.g., the institution/organization is new to the electronic grant application process through Grants.gov), then the one-time registration process must be completed PRIOR to submitting an application. It can take as long as two weeks to complete the registration process so it is critical to begin as soon as possible. In such situations, the AR should go to “Register,” in the top right corner of the Grants.gov web page (or go to http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html), for information on registering the institution/organization with Grants.gov. Part II,1 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide contains detailed information regarding the registration process. Refer to item 2, below, to locate the “NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.”

Steps to Obtain Application Package Materials

To receive application materials:

1. You must download and install a version of Adobe Reader compatible with Grants.gov to access, complete, and submit applications. For basic system requirements and download instructions, see https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html. Grants.gov has a test package that will help you determine whether your current version of Adobe Reader is compatible.

2. To obtain the application package from Grants.gov, go to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/download-application-package.html and enter the funding opportunity number where appropriate

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-HSI-006731.

Click “Search.” On the displayed page, click the corresponding link to continue. A Grant Application Package is tied to a particular funding opportunity. You may move forms amongst different Grant Application Packages but you may ONLY submit an application to the particular funding opportunity to which the Grant Application Package is associated.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/learn-grants/grants-101/pre-award-phase.html http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://get.adobe.com/reader/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/download-application-package.html

Contained within the application package is the “NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.”

This guide contains an introduction and general Grants.gov instructions, information about how to use a Grant Application Package in Grants.gov, and instructions on how to complete the application forms.

If you require assistance to access the application package (e.g., downloading or navigating Adobe forms) or submitting the application, refer to resources available on the Grants.gov website (https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html).Grants.gov assistance is also available at:

Grants.gov customer support 800-518-4726 Toll-Free or 606-545-5035

Business Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Closed on federal holidays.

Email: support@grants.gov

Grants.gov iPortal (see https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants):

Top 10 requested help topics (FAQs), Searchable knowledge base, self-service ticketing and ticket status, and live web chat (available 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. EST).

Have the following information available when contacting Grants.gov:

1. Funding Opportunity Number (FON)

2. Name of agency you are applying to

3. Specific area of concern

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

Electronic applications are to be prepared following Parts V and VI of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide. This guide is part of the corresponding application package (see Section A of this part). The following is additional information you need to prepare an application in response to this RFA. If there is discrepancy between the two documents, the information contained in this RFA is overriding.

Note the attachment requirements (e.g., PDF) in Part III, Section 3 of the guide. ANY PROPOSALS THAT ARE NON-COMPLIANT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS (e.g., content format, PDF file format, file name restrictions, and no password protected files) WILL BE AT RISK OF BEING EXCLUDED FROM NIFA REVIEW. Grants.gov does not check for NIFA required attachments or whether attachments are in PDF format; see Part III, Section 6.1 of the guide for how to check the manifest of submitted files. Partial applications will be excluded from NIFA review. We will accept subsequent submissions of an application until close of business on the closing date in the RFA (see Part V, 2.1 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for further information).

For any questions related to the preparation of an application, review the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide and the applicable RFA. If assistance is still needed for preparing application forms content, contact:

1. Email: electronic@nifa.usda.gov

2. Phone: 202-401-5048

3. Business hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET, excluding federal holidays.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/ mailto:support@grants.gov https://grants-portal.psc.gov/Welcome.aspx?pt=Grants mailto:electronic@nifa.usda.gov https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/

1. SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet Information related to the questions on this form is dealt with in detail in Part V, 2 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide. See Part V, Section 2.18 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for the required certifications and assurances (e.g., Prohibition Against Entities Requiring Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements).

2. SF 424 R&R Project/Performance Site Location(s) Detailed information related to the questions on this form is available in Part V, 3 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.

3. R&R Other Project Information Form Detailed information related to the questions on this form is available in Part V, 4 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.

a. Field 7. Project Summary/Abstract is required for all applications and must not exceed 1 single spaced page (Times New Roman font size 12, Normal Margin). Applicants are encouraged to revisit the page numbers after converting the narrative to PDF format. A Project Summary/Abstract that exceeds this page limit requirement will not be accepted for review. See Part V. 4.7 of NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for further instructions and a link to a suggested template.

The Summary shall include the following underlined text:

Project Title: Title character limit is 140 characters. Descriptive of the project.

Project Code: NJ Project Director (and any) Co-Project Director(s) (include institutional affiliation for each) Project’s Degree Level:

Priority Need Area: (See Part I, B):

Educational Need Area: (See Part I, C):

Primary Discipline/Subject Matter: (the primary academic major focus of the project) Partners: If Collaboration Project, list all partners that will share grant funding Total Funds Requested: List by partner Summary Text: Provide a very concise (approx. 250 word) summary of your project to include:

Problem the project will address, number of intended beneficiaries and an impact statement in quantitative and qualitative terms.

b. Field 8. Project Narrative.

NOTE: The Project Narrative must not exceed 20 pages of written text double-spaced (Times New Roman font size 12, Normal Margin), and up to 5 additional pages for figures and tables.

We have established this maximum (25 pages) to ensure fair and equitable competition. Text in tables could be presented single-spaced to facilitate clarity.

Applicants are encouraged to revisit the page numbers after converting the narrative into a PDF and make the necessary adjustments if the required page limit has been exceeded. Project narratives that exceed the page limit requirement will not be accepted for review.

The Narrative shall include all of the following five sections underlined and in bold font (A-E):

The application shall provide appropriate metrics and describe the expected outputs and outcomes, and their potential impact on strengthening FANH education. Metrics to assess outputs and outcomes are to be clearly delineated in the proposal.

A. Potential for Advancing the Quality of Education; Significance of the Problem

NIFA’s programs are intended to promote advances in the FANH sciences. If relevant to the overall goals of the program, applicants may include international partnerships or engagement activities. Applicants must clearly describe how the proposed international activities will support the objectives and desired domestic outcomes.

1. Institutional Long-Range Goals. Discuss how the project will contribute to the achievement of the institution's long-term (five- to ten-year) goals, explain how the project will help satisfy the institution's high priority objectives, or how the project is linked to and supported by the institution's strategic plan.

2. Identification of Educational Problem(s) and Project Impact. Clearly identify and explain how the proposed project will address at least one of the Educational Need Areas listed in Part I, C. Briefly explain the project’s anticipated, overall impact on improving the quality of FANH sciences education and how it will advance the goals of the HSI Education Grants Program.

3. Project Justification. Clearly state the specific instructional problem or opportunity to be addressed. Describe how and by whom the focus and scope of the project were determined. Summarize the body of knowledge justifying the need for the proposed project. Discuss how the project will be of value at the State, regional, national, or international level(s). Describe any ongoing or recently completed significant activities related to the proposed project for which previous HSI funding was received under this program.

4. Innovation. Describe the application’s creative approach to improving the quality of FANH sciences education, solving a higher education problem, or advancing educational equity.

5. Multidisciplinary and/or Problem-based Focus. Identify the Discipline(s) (described in Part I, C) supported. Discuss whether the project may be adapted by, or serve as a model for other institutions.

6. Level of Study. Include a table describing the expected number of students benefiting, from this project and the level of education such as associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees at each of the institutions participating in the program. Please include in your project narrative a table similar to the one presented below to summarize the students supported by level of study.

Table 2: Number of Students Supported by Level of Study

Institutions

Participating in the Project (1 to X)

K to 12

K-12

Teachers

Associate

Arts/Associate in Science

Bachelor’s in

Science

Master’s in

Science

Doctoral Degree

Institution 1 Institution 2 Institution 3 Institution 4

B. Proposed Approach and Cooperative Linkages:

Objectives: Cite and discuss the specific performance objectives of the project. Indicate how they align with the HSI Education Grants Program objectives. Performance-based objectives should be used as they will inform the evaluation plan.

NOTE: You can use the ABCD method for creating a performance objective (Heinich, Molenda, Russell, & Smaldino, 2001. Instructional Media and Technologies for Learning) to systematically think about writing appropriate performance objectives towards your project goals:

a) A is for audience - Who are the learners? Are they adult learners? Are they workshop participants? Are they young students? How many? At what level?

b) B is for behavior - What learning is overt and observable?

c) C is for condition - How? In what context or under what circumstances will learning occur? Will the audience be expected to know pieces of information to accomplish learning?

d) D is for degree - How much will be accomplished? How well or to what level does this learning need to be perfected?

1. Plan of Operation and Methodology: Describe the activities for accomplishing the objectives of the project. Describe plans for management of the project to ensure its proper and efficient administration. Describe the way in which resources and personnel will be used to conduct the project.

2. Timetable: Provide a timetable of activities for conducting the project. Identify all important project milestones and dates as they relate to project start-up, execution, evaluation, dissemination, and close-out.

3. Products, Results, and Measurable Outcomes: Explain the expected products and results (outcomes) and their potential impact. (Important Note: “Products” may be actual items or services acquired with funds, e.g., “…developed three, new Web-based courses containing supplemental materials;” “Results” are intended or unintended consequences of the project, e.g., “...additional course materials now available online to reinforce student learning during non-classroom hours;” and “Outcomes/Impacts” are a measure of the results by comparing what might have happened in the absence of the funded project, e.g., “…an observed, overall increase in student learning based upon 8% higher average test scores of those students who both attended class and used the supplemental, web-based course materials.”) Quantify outputs and/or outcomes.

4. Evaluation Plans: Provide a methodology and implementation plan for evaluating the accomplishment of stated products, results and measurable outcomes during the project.

Indicate the criteria, and corresponding weight of each, to be used in the evaluation process, describe any data to be collected and analyzed, and explain the methodology that will be used to determine the extent to which the needs underlying the project are met.

Identify data to be used as baseline data. Demonstrate that the project’s impact on improving education will be evaluated. More detailed information on a suggested evaluation plan can be found under “Materials Available on the Internet” under section VIII, E of this solicitation.

Baseline Data: For quantitative, baseline, student enrollment, degrees granted and employment data to make comparisons in meeting HSI Education Grants Program goals, applicants could reference the Food and Agricultural Education Information System (FAEIS) resource at: http://faeis.ahnrit.vt.edu/; the publication: Employment Opportunities for College Graduates in the U.S. Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resources System 2005-2010 at: http://faeis.ahnrit.vt.edu/supplydemand/2005-2010/, or other, similar source(s).

Independent Evaluator: Grantees are encouraged to obtain an independent evaluation to secure appropriate documentation of the project’s outcomes and impacts. Regular projects could use up to 5 percent of their grant funds for this purpose. Collaboration projects could use up to 1.5 percent of their grant funds for this purpose.

Results of evaluated metrics, products, outcomes, and impact data, including a detailed student count by Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) codes, should be submitted as part of the project’s annual progress report and final technical report via NIFA’s REEport system.

http://faeis.ahnrit.vt.edu/ http://faeis.ahnrit.vt.edu/ http://faeis.ahnrit.vt.edu/supplydemand/2005-2010/ http://faeis.ahnrit.vt.edu/supplydemand/2005-2010/

5. Logic Model: Applications for projects must include the elements of a logic model detailing the activities, outputs, and outcomes of the proposed project. This information may be provided as a narrative or formatted into a logic model chart. The logic model planning process is a tool that should be used to develop your project before writing your application. More information and resources related to the logic model planning process are provided at https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/generic-logic-model-nifa-reporting.

6. Collaborating USDA agency: Document, if applicable, how applicants will find and partner with a sponsoring USDA agency in order to leverage grant funds and/or contribute towards the proposed project overall goals and objectives.

7. Dissemination Plans: Applications must include a description of how the applicant plans to communicate project accomplishments (products, results and impacts, etc.) to the broadest extent throughout the academic community. This plan should include the following: educational journals; professional discipline publications; a website;

presentations at regional or national conferences and workshops; and the Annual HSIs Project Director’s Conference. Discuss the institution’s commitment to disseminate project results and products. Identify target audiences and explain methods of communication. Consider distributing materials to other HSIs, especially HSI Education Grants Program grantees. Applicants are encouraged to develop a project web page within the first six months of the project as part of their dissemination activities.

As part of the award, you will be required to disseminate your findings and best practices at two types of meetings (see Part VI, D). The proposed budget should include the attendance to the HSI Education Grants Program’s project director’s meeting at the end of the first year and the annual meeting every year during the life of the project. Travel funds should also be requested for at least four students to attend these or other meetings as identified by the agency and PD.

C. Institutional Capability and Capacity Building

1. Institutional Commitment and Capability: Demonstrate that the program administration is committed to the project and has the capability to ensure its completion. Discuss how the benefits to be derived from the project will transcend the applicant institution during the project period. For example, substantiate that the institution attributes a high priority to the project.

2. Institutional Resources: Document that the necessary institutional resources (administrative, facilities, equipment, and/or materials), and other appropriate resources, will be made available to the project. Demonstrate how the institutional resources to be made available to the project, when combined with any support requested from USDA, will be adequate to carry out the activities of the project.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/generic-logic-model-nifa-reporting

3. Academic Enhancement: Document how this project will improve and strengthen teaching at the institution (including any partner institutions). Discuss how the benefits to be derived from the project will transcend the applicant institution and/or the project period.

4. Continuation Plans: Discuss the likelihood of, or specific plans for, continuation or expansion of the project beyond the period of USDA support. For example, does the institution's long-range budget or academic plan provide for the realistic continuation or expansion of the initiative undertaken by this project after the end of the project grant period, are plans for eventual self-support built into the project, are plans being made to institutionalize the program if it meets with success, and are there indications of other continuing non-Federal support?

D. Key Personnel

Discuss the adequacy and specific attributes and project responsibilities of each key person associated with the project. Also include the background and qualifications of those personnel who will be responsible for assessing project results and administering the project evaluation and reporting process. Appropriate bilingual and bicultural personnel should be included to better serve and attract underrepresented students to the programs offered.

E. Cost-effectiveness

1. Discuss how the budget specifically supports the proposed project activities.

2. Justify the project's cost-effectiveness. Show how the project maximizes the use of limited resources, optimizes educational value for the dollar, achieves economies of scale or leverages additional funds.

3. If the application addresses more than one Educational Need Area or Discipline (e.g., student experiential learning and instruction delivery systems) state which one (primary) is most representative and list all the others in descending order of importance, and ii) estimate the proportion of the funds requested from USDA that will support each respective Priority Need Area or Discipline. Make sure you explain how the primary Priority Need (or Discipline) supports one or more of the six current USDA Educational Need Areas (see Part I, C).

4. The information and expense list below can be used as a guide to determine and document the appropriate level of student stipend support.

Education Level (BS, MS, Ph.D.)

Institution Student Name and Degree Discipline Student Scholarship - Total Amount ($)

Tuition Amount Computer Amount Stipend Amount Travel Expense to Professional Conference Amount Expense X Expense Y:

c. Field 12. Add Other Attachments

See Part V. Section 4.12 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide (Field 12 on the form) for instructions for this field.

Data Management Plan. A Data Management Plan (DMP) is required and is to clearly articulate how the project director (PD) and co-PDs plan to manage and disseminate the data generated by the project. The DMP will be considered during the merit review process (see Part V, B.). See PART III Section 3.1 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for NIFA attachment specifications.

The requirements for preparation and inclusion of a DMP in your application is included on the following web page, https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/data-management-plan-nifa-funded-research-projects. Also included on the web page are FAQs and information about accessing examples of DMPs.

Logic Model – PDF Attachment. 1-Page Limit per Award Title the attachment as ‘Logic Model’ in the document header and save file as ‘Logic Model.’

Response to Previous Review – PDF Attachment. 1 Page Limit. Title the attachment as “Response to Previous Review” in the document header and save file as “ResponsetoPreviousReview.’ This requirement only applies to “Resubmitted Applications” as described under Part II, B., “Types of Applications.” PDs must respond to the previous review panel summary on no more than one page, titled, “RESPONSE TO PREVIOUS REVIEW.” If desired, additional comments may be included in the text of the Project Narrative, subject to the page limitations of that section.

Expected Outcomes – PDF Attachment. Title the attachment “Expected Outcomes” in the document header and save file as “ExpectedOutcomes.” Please use a format, similar to what is provided below, to submit expected impacts and attach it as the last page of the application.

This data will be requested when a grant is recommended for an award. A fillable version of this document can be found at https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/recommended-format-submitting-expected-impacts.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/data-management-plan-nifa-funded-research-projects https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/data-management-plan-nifa-funded-research-projects https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/recommended-format-submitting-expected-impacts https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/recommended-format-submitting-expected-impacts

Figure 1: Recommended Format for Submitting Expected Impacts

4. R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded)

Detailed information related to the questions on this form is available in Part V, 5 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide. This section of the guide includes instructions about senior/key person profile requirements, and details about the biographical sketch and the current and pending support, including a link to a suggested template for the current and pending support.

Biographical Sketch - The following are additional instructions of information to include:

1) Author identifier (ORCID, https://orcid.org) of the researcher if available.

2) Digital Object Identifier (DOI) of all publications where possible. You may also include a list of data publications or published data products relevant to the proposed project, following recommended data citation format.

5. R&R Personal Data

As noted in Part V, 6 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide, the submission of this information is voluntary and is not a precondition of award. Part V.6 also notes the importance and use of the information.

6. R&R Budget

Detailed information related to the questions on this form is available in Part V, 7 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide. Budgets for each year of the grant and a cumulative budget along with a budget justification for each year are required. Collaborating institutions with sub-awards are also required to submit the same.

Project Directors are required to disseminate findings and best practices at two types of meetings (see Part VI, D). The proposed budget should include the attendance at a new project director’s meeting at the end of the first year and an annual meeting every year during the life of the project. Travel funds should be requested to attend these meetings and a budget for at least four students to travel to meetings designated by the agency.

For further information and instructions regarding indirect costs, refer to Part V, section 7.9 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide. For indirect cost funding restrictions, refer to Part IV, D. of this RFA.

7. Supplemental Information Form

Detailed information related to the questions on this form is available in Part VI, 1 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.

a. Field 2. Program to which you are applying. Enter the program code name “HSI” and the program code “NJ.” Note that accurate entry of the program code is very important for proper and timely processing of an application.

b. Field 8. Conflict of Interest List. See Part VI, 1.8 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for further instructions and a link to a suggested template.

8. Representations Regarding Felony Conviction and Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants

This is a required form for corporate applicants. See Part VI, 2 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide for a description of the term, “corporation,” and detailed information related to the questions on this form.

C. Submission Dates and Times

Applications must be received in Grants.gov by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Applications received after this time will normally not be considered for funding.

Regular: May 15, 2019 Collaboration: May 16, 2019 Conference: May 16, 2019

We recommend that you conduct an administrative review of the application before submission of it via Grants.gov to ensure that it complies with all preparation instructions. An application checklist is included in Part VII of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide to assist with this review.

While the checklist should be used to check the application for completeness, the application should be checked for the following required item(s). The list includes:

a) Data Management Plan (DMP)

b) Logic Model

c) CV, Current and Pending Support Form and Conflict of Interest for PDs and Co-PDs

d) Expected Outcomes Table

This is not an exhaustive list of required items; it only serves to highlight items that may be overlooked.

Instructions for submitting an application are included in Part IV, Section 1.5 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.

If you have trouble submitting an application to Grants.gov, you should FIRST contact the Grants.gov Help Desk to resolve any problems. Keep a record of any such correspondence. See Part IV. A for Grants.gov contact information.

We send email correspondence to the AR regarding the status of submitted applications. We strongly encourage you to provide accurate email addresses, where designated, on the SF-424 R&R Application for Federal Assistance.

If the AR has not received correspondence from NIFA regarding a submitted application within 30 days of the established due date, contact the Agency Contact identified in Part VII of the RFA and request the proposal number assigned to the application. Failure to do so may result in the application not being considered for funding by the peer review panel. Once the application has been assigned a proposal number, you should cite this number on all future correspondence.

D. Funding Restrictions

1. Indirect Costs

Section 1462(a) and (c) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA) limits indirect costs for the overall award to 30 percent of Total Federal Funds Awarded (TFFA) under a research, education, or extension grant.

The maximum indirect cost rate allowed under the award is determined by calculating the amount of indirect costs using:

a) the sum of an institution’s negotiated indirect cost rate and the indirect cost rate charged by sub-awardees, if any; or

b) 30 percent of TFFA.

The maximum allowable indirect cost rate under the award, including the indirect costs charged by the sub-awardee(s), if any, is the lesser of the two rates.

If the results of number one, is the lesser of the two rates, the grant recipient is allowed to charge the negotiated indirect cost rate on the prime award and the sub-award(s), if any.

Any sub-awards would be subject to the sub-awardee’s negotiated indirect cost rate. The sub-awardee may charge its negotiated indirect cost rate on its portion of the award, provided the sum of the indirect cost rate charged under the award by the prime awardee and the sub-awardee(s) does not exceed 30 percent of the TFFA.

If the result of number two, is the lesser of the two rates, then the maximum indirect cost rate allowed for the overall award, including any sub-award(s), is…