FY '19 SLSNCGP RFA.pdf

Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program

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

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 28, 2019

ELIGIBILITY: See Part III, A of RFA

ANTICIPATED AWARD AMOUNT: $462,000

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

AGRICULTURE

SMITH-LEVER SPECIAL NEEDS COMPETITIVE 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 10.511.

DATES: Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on May 28, 2019. Applications received after this deadline will normally not be considered for funding (see Part IV, C of this RFA).

Comments regarding this request for applications (RFA) are requested within six months from the issuance of this notice. 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 by the deadline set forth in the DATES portion 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 Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program RFA.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: NIFA requests applications for the Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program (SLSNCGP) RFA for fiscal year (FY) 2019 to implement applied programs that serve public needs in preparation for, during, and after a disaster. The anticipated amount available for grants in FY 2019 SLSNCGP is approximately $462,000.

This notice identifies the objectives for SLSNCGP projects, deadline dates, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and applicants, and application forms and associated instructions needed to apply for a SLSNCGP grant.

mailto:Policy@nifa.usda.gov

Table of Contents

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

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

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding B. Types of Applications C. Grant Types

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

PART I—FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

A. Legislative Authority

Section 3(b) & (c) of the Smith-Lever Act, Pub. L. No. 63-95 (7 U.S.C. 343) allows the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), to conduct competitive grant programs for State Extension Services at 1862 Land-Grant Institutions to support innovative, education-based approaches to provide cooperative agricultural extension work.

B. Purpose and Priorities

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in 2017, there were 16 weather and climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each across the United States.

These events included 1 drought event, 2 flooding events, 1 freeze event, 8 severe storm events, 3 tropical cyclone events, and 1 wildfire event. NOAA also reports in 2018 (as of October 9), there have been 11 weather and climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each across the United States. These events included 1 drought event, 6 severe storm events, 1 tropical cyclone event, 1 wildfire event, and 2 winter storm events. These billion dollar weather and climate disasters impact humans, food, agriculture, natural resources, and other major environmental components. The purpose of the SLSNCGP is to support innovative, education-based approaches to addressing disaster preparedness and specific responses related to natural and human-made disasters. The SLSNCGP supports quality of life in communities across the United States by addressing disaster preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery in the context of human sciences, food, agriculture, and natural resources. The SLSNCGP provides information and tools to USDA, stakeholders, and collaborators to improve decision-making in handling disasters.

Funds will support innovative extension education initiatives that address risks, hazards, and disasters.

The SLSNCGP sponsors targeted projects that enable Cooperative Extension System (CES) to assist in preparing for, providing an educational response to, and recovering from disasters. Some types of hazards and disaster-related events funded in previous years include uncertainties caused by losses of economic infrastructure, severe weather or other natural disasters, security breaches, human disease, or high consequence animal diseases and plant pests. The SLSNCGP increases awareness and capacity building of urban/rural communities’ response to disasters by increasing individuals, families, farms and small businesses disaster preparedness through education and collaborations with other agencies/volunteer organizations.

The SLSNCGP aligns with the following:

USDA Strategic Goals for 2018-2022 Goal 2: Maximize the Ability of American Agriculture Producers to Prosper by Feeding and Clothing the World

NIFA intends to fund SLSNCGP projects to implement applied programs that serve public needs in preparation for, during, and after disaster. Though national, regional, and/or multi-state efforts are a priority, highly replicable single-state projects may be considered if they have a strong plan for transferring successful methods to other states. The SLSNCGP will also fund the development of educational programs and demonstration activities focusing on disaster preparedness, mitigation, https://www.usda.gov/our-agency/about-usda/strategic-goals response, and recovery. The most competitive proposals will provide educational and communication leadership across an optimized mix of these and other resources.

We welcome proposals that add new or build upon existing web-based educational materials on the EDEN website, https://www.eden.lsu.edu. We recommend that applicants contact the EDEN executive committee via the EDEN website during proposal formulation to solicit guidance on how best to interface with EDEN on the SLSNCGP and to secure a letter of support.

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

You may use funds to contribute to existing Communities of Practice (CoP)/Learning Networks (LN), or to form a new Learning Network(s) focused on disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery (pre-disaster, during and post disaster). Projects must align with the eXtension vision, mission, and values. You must have a letter of acknowledgement from eXtension; you may also need a letter of commitment from one or more of the Communities of Practice. For detailed guidance on how to partner with eXtension, go to http://create.extension.org/node/2057.

Behavioral and Social Sciences

Behavioral education and promotion of disaster preparedness is important in planning for resiliency.

Incorporation of social and behavioral sciences is key for addressing many of the challenges facing communities, such as helping people plan for and mitigate disasters. Effective education programs and services in social and behavioral sciences can promote and enhance disaster preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery and in the long run increase community resiliency. Such initiatives can provide timely and adequate information to communities that lead to behavior change. Extension outreach disaster education projects should include programs and activities that use community leadership to address resiliency. Projects should promote increases in Extension professionals’ capacity to engage in disaster education in communities, which includes gaining knowledge and skills to collaborate, connect, communicate, and build community capacity in the context of disaster education. The proposed Extension outreach program should include activities that integrate social and behavioral sciences in the program design and implementation. Extension educators and other relevant partners, supported by innovative communication platforms, can employ these programs and services to sustain disaster education activities that successfully protect and enhance vitality and resiliency of communities. SLSNCGP provides funding for such initiatives.

Global Engagement

NIFA supports global engagement that advances U.S. agricultural goals. To attain the agency's goals for U.S. agriculture, promotion of global competence of our nation’s future agricultural workforce, and safe and nutritious food security in a growing world, NIFA recognizes that collaboration with international partners can contribute to advances for U.S. agriculture. Thus, applications in response to this program’s RFA may include collaborations with international partners, but may only be submitted by eligible U.S. institutions. Such applications may include subcontracts to international partners or https://www.eden.lsu.edu/ https://extension.org/ http://create.extension.org/node/2057 other institutions. Applications must clearly demonstrate benefits to the U.S. Additional guidance on including international activities is provided on the International Partnerships website.

NIFA is soliciting applications for SLSNCGP national, regional, multi-state, or state projects under the following areas:

• Education and technical assistance through inter-disciplinary disaster training programs and demonstration projects for problem solving, especially those which build upon already existing strengths, contribute to or expand the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) and/or eXtension educational materials related to disaster preparation, mitigation, response and recovery;

• Collaboration with federal, state and local agencies and other disaster relief organizations, which might include non-government organizations, to support education and service activities that enhance recovery of impacted rural communities, schools, businesses and agriculture-based activities;

• Long-range family, farm, and community planning projects that enhance implementation of programs that serve public needs in preparation for, during, and after disasters within impacted states and across impacted regions; and

• Communication delivery of key information that meets end-users’ needs in a timely fashion with consideration of potentially limited communication channels due to disaster situations.

C. Program Area Description

Program Area Code: MB (program code name is ESNP Special Needs) Application Deadline: May 28, 2019 (5:00 p.m. ET) Grant Types: Standard, Planning, and Conference or Training Workshop Project Types: Extension Standard, Extension Planning, and Extension Conference or Training Workshop Grants Program Area Contact: Beverly Samuel (202) 720-6059 or bsamuel@nifa.usda.gov

To be considered for funding, projects must support extension activities through at least one of the following strategies:

1. Enhance national, regional, multi-state or state networks that support official information by ensuring the content is:

• In a format appropriate to the situation and intended audience;

• Delivered in a timely fashion; and

• Science-based.

2. Provide national, regional, multi-state, or state education and communications leadership to develop or add value to current educational materials regarding disaster issues, utilizing distribution mix of the EDEN website, eXtension, related social media, and/or other outlets.

This strategy could include materials targeted to underserved audiences (such as people who https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/afri-international-partnerships https://eden.lsu.edu/ mailto:bsamuel@nifa.usda.gov speak English as a second language, individuals with low literacy, and older adults who lack technology access or literacy).

3. Improve national, regional, multi-state, or state stakeholder partnerships (which might include the public, governments at all levels, non-profit and/or volunteer organizations, academia, and/or industry) to prepare for and respond to disasters through extension education.

4. Deliver extension education to affected citizens and communities, in one or more states, to address effects of a major declared disaster that occurred no more than 12 months prior to the application due date of this RFA.

PART II—AWARD INFORMATION

A. Available Funding

The anticipated amount available for SLSNCGP grant in FY 2019 is approximately $462,000.

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, you may submit applications to the SLSNCGP as one of the following types of requests:

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

Resubmitted application. This is an application that has previously been submitted to the NIFA but not funded. Project Directors (PDs) must respond to the previous review panel summary (see Response to Previous Review, Part IV). We must receive resubmitted applications by the relevant due date. We will evaluate resubmitted applications in competition with other pending applications in the appropriate area to which they are assigned and review them according to the same evaluation criteria (Part V, B) as new applications. If you are submitting a resubmission application, enter the NIFA-assigned proposal number of the previously-submitted application in the Federal field (Field 4 on the form).

C. Grant Types

The following describes the types of projects that are eligible for funding. NIFA does not plan to award a specific number of awards under each project type and all proposals will be reviewed together.

1. Standard

In FY 2018, projects ranged from $26,745 to $155,422 and have historically ranged from $15,000 to $225,000. However, the amount requested will vary depending on the geographic scope of the project (national, regional, multi-state, or state) and the urgency of the need(s) being addressed. Typical project periods range from one to three years. Only applications that address one or more of the following five key target areas will be considered for funding.

• Education and technical assistance;

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

• Collaboration;

• Long range family, farm, community and planning projects;

• Communication delivery; and/or

• Dissemination of credible, science-based information.

2. Planning

The budget for the planning activity, which has a maximum of one year duration, may include an appropriate amount for transportation and subsistence costs for participants and for other related costs. Planning awards of federal funds for this grant will not exceed $15,000 and are not renewable. Include an itemized breakdown of all support requested in the Budget Justification (Field K. of the R&R Budget Fed/NonFed).

3. Conference or Training Workshop

The Conference Grant may support a meeting that brings together scientists to address a critical issue(s) and update information to advance disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and/or recovery. This support should be for a new initiative that addresses a critical or emerging issue. These activities should be recognized as integral parts of scientific efforts. The Conference Grant should result in a final report with recommendations for next steps. Second, the Conference Grant may be used for training to scale up an already successful effort. The project must have demonstrated impact at the local, state, or regional level and be viable for a national scale up to expand the program. Individual Conference Grants may be awarded up to $50,000 for one year and are not renewable. The effort must be evaluated to report outcomes.

Include an itemized breakdown of all support requested in the Budget Justification (Field K. of the R&R Budget Fed/NonFed).

PART III—ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants

Applications may only be submitted by 1862 Land-grant Institutions in the 50 states and the U.S.

territories, American Samoa, Guam, Micronesia, Northern Marianas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply, provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project. The 1862 land-grant institutions may partner with each other as well as with other land-grant institutions (e.g., 1890s and 1994s) and non-land-grant institutions within their state or their region on joint proposals.

Failure to meet an eligibility criterion by the application deadline may result in the application being excluded from consideration or, 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

Pursuant to rules and policies governing Section 3(b) & (c) of the Smith–Lever Act as amended, “no allotment shall be made to a State under subsection (b) or (c), and no payments from the allotment shall be made to a State, in excess of the amount that the State makes available out of non-federal funds for cooperative extension work.”

To comply with the matching requirements of the SLSNCGP, applicants are required to provide 100% matching funds from non-federal sources for all proposed federal funds sought in the application. In-kind and third party contributions are not allowed for this program; thus, all of the matching funds must come from the applicant institution (Sub-awards/partner match would be considered third party).

Refer to RFA Part IV.B.6 for additional information on cost share/match.

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, also referred to as Authorized Organizational Representative, or AOR) 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 https://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/search-opportunity-package.html and enter the funding opportunity number where appropriate.

Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-SLBCD-006737.

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 among different Grant Application Packages but you may ONLY submit an application to the particular funding opportunity to which the Grant Application Package is associated.

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.

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 https://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/search-opportunity-package.html

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. ET).

Have the following information available when contacting Grants.gov:

• Funding Opportunity Number (FON)

• Name of agency you are applying to

• 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:

• Email: electronic@nifa.usda.gov

• Phone: 202-401-5048

• 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 2.17 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.

All proposals must include a Project Summary/Abstract. Please use the template suggested in Part V.

4.7 of NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide and also found at https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/application-support-templates.

The summary should also include the relevance of the project to the goals of SLSNCGP. Project Summary should provide the following information, in the order listed below:

• Project title;

• List of Project Directors (PDs) and Co-PDs and their institutions/organizations;

• Concise (250 words or less) description of the project;

• Funding amount requested, per year and in total;

• Proposal type: New Submission or Resubmission;

• Project type: Standard, Planning, or Conference Grant.

b. Field 8. Project Narrative.

NOTE: The Project Narrative shall not exceed 10 pages of written text and up to 5 additional pages for figures and tables. We have established this maximum (15 pages) to ensure fair and equitable competition. The Project Narrative must include all of the following:

• 1-inch margins;

• Times New Roman 12-point font; and

• Single- or double-spaced text.

Please include a one-page Table of Contents in the project narrative, which will not count towards the Project Narrative’s 15-page limitation.

Response to Previous Review (if applicable) This requirement only applies to Resubmitted Applications or Resubmitted Renewal Applications as described in Part II, B. The Project Narrative attachment is to include two components: 1) a one-page response to the previous review (containing the previous proposal number in the first line) titled “Response to Previous Review” as the first page of the attachment and 2) the 15 page Project https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-grantsgov-application-guide https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/application-support-templates

Narrative, as required (see Part IV, C. 3. b., above). The one-page “Response to Previous Review” does not count against the 15-page limit of the Project Narrative.

In developing the Project Narrative section of your application, use the sections headings listed below.

Indicate the Section letter and number in your response, e.g., type “A.1”, “A.2”, etc., before your response to each question. Please do not combine two or more questions or refer to another section of the Project Narrative in your response, such as indicating that the response for B.2 is in C.7.

Section A. Introduction:

1. Provide background information on and describe the disaster education problem that the project proposes to address. Provide references for data. Explain and substantiate any assumptions made.

• Describe the targeted issue to be addressed and why it is important.

• What is the current problem or situation?

• Who is affected by the problem and the approximate size of the population affected?

• How long has the problem existed?

• What will happen if the problem is not addressed?

• Describe the potential benefit to the population group or community served.

• If the project will support the Extension Disaster Education Network, briefly describe how.

• If the project seeks to contribute to an existing eXtension COP, briefly describe how it will complement or enhance the COP’s resources currently available to the public.

• If proposing to conduct a planning project, briefly lay out the project steps beyond the planning period and show how the SLSNCGP will enable the project to become competitive for future funding.

2. Concisely state which of the five program areas the project will address (Enhance national, regional, multi-state, or state networks; Provide national, regional, multi-state, and/or state education and communications leadership, Improve national, regional, multi-state, or state stakeholder partnerships, Provide national, regional, multi-state, or state educational leadership as a result of a declared disaster). What geographic area(s) is/are affected by it? Provide relevant national, regional, multi-state, or state statistics and other data to document the need for this issue to be addressed in the target community. Identify what has already been done and where are the gaps.

3. Concisely state the overall goal(s) of the proposed project; and

4. Describe how this project will build upon or expand related work or programs.

Section B: Objectives

Objectives must be realistic and answer the questions of “Whom,” “What,” and “To What Extent.”

Each objective needs a specific action plan describing a reasonable scope of activities that can be accomplished within the resource and time constraints of the grant. Be sure to:

1. Define the target audience and/or end users of project deliverables. Support for identifying these specific groups must be clearly reflected in the data provided for the state(s) in which the proposed project will operate; and

2. Present a clear, concise set of project objectives.

Section C: Methods

Describe the procedures for the proposed effort, including:

1. Techniques and methods, including their feasibility and rationale for their use in this project, and how they accomplish stated objectives;

2. A description of the proposed project activities related to the objectives provided and in the sequence in which it is planned. A project timeline should include education/extension/planning activities with milestones, partners’/collaborators’ roles (if appropriate) and verifiable indicators, which demonstrate progress;

3. A brief description of participant recruitment strategy(ies) to be used;

4. Project development and implementation challenges that may be encountered and how you plan to address those challenges; and

5. Limitations to proposed procedures and how you plan to address the limitations.

Section D: Project Performance Assessment

Project performance assessment plans allow projects to review outcomes achieved and to use results to inform, refine and adjust future project plans as needed. Applicants to SLSNCGP need to submit a plan for monitoring and measuring performance of their projects. The plan must include the following elements:

1. A logic model or alternative schematic such as theory of change that illustrates the causal linkages between planned activities and desired outcomes. A logic model template and explanation of its components can be located at: https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/integrated-programs-logic-model-planning-process. The logic model is required for Extension Standard Grant only.

2. A Timeline to demonstrate the duration and the sequence of project activities, as well as division of labor. The Timeline should depict project quarters by project years.

3. Indicate the amount of funding that will be set aside for monitoring performance of your project.

4. Indicate who on the team will provide the project performance assessment oversight. NIFA does not require but it does encourage grantees to include on their teams colleagues skilled in project performance measurement or evaluation who can help develop the monitoring plan and, if feasible, participate in carrying out the plan.

Section E: Project Management Plan

1. If the proposed SLSNCGP project represents collaboration between two or more land-grant institutions or other organization, provide an explanation of how the relationship and communication will be managed.

2. Describe how the relationship and communication between the State Cooperative Extension System and the non-land-grant partners will be managed, if applicable.

3. Describe the fiscal and administrative oversight for the project.

Section F: Partner Roles

1. State Cooperative Extension System and non-Land Grant partners may jointly or individually provide leadership for different objectives/activities. Briefly describe roles of key staff on the proposed SLSNCGP project and percent of time each will be dedicating to the project.

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/integrated-programs-logic-model-planning-process https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/integrated-programs-logic-model-planning-process

2. Land Grant Institutions submitting joint applications must demonstrate that the institutions’ roles and responsibilities in regards to main aspects of project development and implementation will be appropriate. Describe institutions’ relevant work that demonstrate its ability to successfully execute the proposed project.

Please be as specific as possible in describing the linkages among activities, outputs, and different types of outcomes (e.g., changes in participant knowledge, awareness, competency, behavior, or changes in condition). Also, indicate who on the team will provide the lead and oversight for design and conduct of project outcomes evaluation. We highly recommend involving on your proposed project a faculty/professional with expertise/strong experience in developing and implementing program evaluations to lead the design and conduct of your SLSNGCP project’s outcome evaluation.

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.

Letters of Commitment from All Partners on the Proposed Project (e.g., EDEN or other organizations, 1862, 1890 or 1994 Land Grant Institutions; Regional Rural Development Center (RRDC); State offices, eXtension, etc.). The letters from partners’ should state readiness to collaborate on the proposed SLSNCGP project and describe the partner’s specific role(s) on the project. Title the attachments for example as, “EDENLetter,” “1890Letter”, “RRDCLetter” or “eXtensionLetter”. Note:

If partnering with eXtension, you must have a letter of acknowledgement from eXtension and a letter of commitment from the appropriate Community of Practice or Learning Network. For detailed guidance on how to partner with eXtension, go to http://create.extension.org/node/2057

Bibliography No page limit. Submit as an attachment in PDF format. Title the attachment as “BibliographyReferencesCited.” All work cited in the proposal should be referenced in this section of the application. All references must be complete, include titles and all co-authors, conform to an acceptable journal format, and be listed in alphabetical order using the last name of the first author or listed by number in the order of citation.

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.

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 http://create.extension.org/node/2057 https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/data-management-plan-nifa-funded-research-projects https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/data-management-plan-nifa-funded-research-projects 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.

There should be a direct relationship between the items in the budget and budget justification, as well as between budget justification and the objectives/activities contained in the Project Narrative. Every item in the budget should be justified in the proposal. The amount of detail depends on the nature of the project and the breakdown of costs.

Matching is required for this program, so the R&R Budget (Federal and Non-Federal) form is mandatory. Grant awards cannot be issued until all required matching has been documented and verified. To comply with the matching requirements, the applicant institution is required to provide 100% matching funds from non-federal sources for all proposed federal funds sought in the application. Third party in-kind contributions are not allowed for this program.

All matching must be summarized on a separate page and placed in the proposal as part of the Budget Narrative. Applicants may refer to 2 CFR Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, for further guidance and other requirements relating to matching and allowable costs.

The budget should include reasonable expenses for a 2-day trip for project director, project performance assessment lead, and one representative from each partner institution, if applicable, receiving funds to attend SLSNCGP meeting at the NIFA Headquarters. The tentative dates of the meeting are, March 18-19 or March 19-20, 2020. The final dates of the meeting will be announced as soon as possible. The purpose of this meeting is to encourage networking among state project teams from different regions and support alignment of efforts on disaster related indicators and outcomes measures.

NIFA no longer requires written verification of commitments of matching support (a pledge agreement). However, you are still subject to documentation, valuing and reporting requirements, etc.

as specified in 2 CFR Part 200, “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (the Uniform Guidance),” 7 CFR 3430, “Competitive and Noncompetitive Non-Formula Federal Assistance Programs – General Award Administrative https://orcid.org/

Provisions,” and program-specific regulations, as applicable. In instances where match is required, any resulting award will require the signature of an Authorized Representative. Only when NIFA receives the award signed by the AR will award funds be released and available for drawdown.

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 (i.e., enter “ESNP

Special Needs”) and the program code (i.e., enter “MB”). 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

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 referenced above should be used to determine the application for completeness, the application should be checked additionally for the following required item(s). This is not an exhaustive list of required items; it only serves to highlight required items that are commonly overlooked by applicants:

• Project Summary/Abstract

• Project Narrative with all required sections

• Bibliography

• Budget Justification

• Logic Model and Timeline

• Data Management Plan

• Current and Pending Support forms

• Conflict of Interest forms

• Match Letter signed by Authorized Representative

• Response to Previous Review (if applicable);

• Letters of Commitment

• Felony Convictions or Tax Delinquent Status

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

Applications must be received by Grants.gov by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on May 28, 2019.

Applications received after this deadline will normally not be considered for funding.

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 15 days of the established deadline, 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

Pursuant to Section 1473 of the National Agriculture Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended, 7 USC 3319, indirect costs and tuition remission are not allowable costs under section 2(c)(1)(B), Section 3(d) of Smith-Lever) projects, and no funds will be approved for this purpose. Further, costs that are a part of an institution's indirect cost pool (e.g., administrative or clerical salaries) may not be reclassified as direct costs for the purpose of making them allowable.

You may not use grant funds awarded under this authority to renovate or refurbish research, education, or extension space. You may not purchase or install fixed equipment in such space or plan, repair, rehabilitate, acquire, or construct buildings or facilities.

E. Other Submission Requirements

You should follow the submission requirements noted in Part IV, Section 1.5 in the document entitled “NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.”

For information about the status of a submitted application, see Part III, Section 6 of the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide.

PART V—APPLICATION REVIEW REQUIREMENTS

A. General

We evaluate each application in a two-part process. First, we screen each application to ensure that it meets the administrative requirements as set forth in this RFA. Second, a technical review panel will evaluate applications that meet the administrative requirements.

We select reviewers based upon their training and experience in relevant scientific, extension, or education fields, taking into account the following factors:

• the level of relevant formal scientific, technical education, or extension experience of the individual, as well as the extent to which an individual is engaged in relevant research, education, or extension activities;

• the need to include experts from various areas of specialization within relevant scientific, education, or extension fields;

• the need to include other experts (e.g., producers, range or forest managers/operators, and consumers) who can assess relevance of the applications to targeted audiences and to program needs;

• the need to include experts from a variety of organizational types (e.g., colleges, universities, industry, state and federal agencies, and private profit and non-profit organizations) and geographic locations;

• the need to maintain a balanced composition with regard to minority and female representation and an equitable age distribution; and

• the need to include reviewers who can judge the effective usefulness of each application to producers and the general public.

After each peer review panel has completed its deliberations, the responsible program staff of NIFA will recommend that your project be approved for support from currently available funds or be declined due to insufficient funds or unfavorable review.

NIFA reserves the right to negotiate with the PD/PI and/or with the submitting organization or institution regarding project revisions (e.g., reductions in the scope of work, funding level, period, or method of support) prior to recommending any project for funding.

We will send copies of reviews, not including the identity of reviewers, and a summary of the panel comments to the PD after the review process has been completed.

B. Evaluation Criteria

A reviewer’s written evaluation entails two levels of assessment. First, the reviewer summarizes how well the application addressed each evaluation criterion. After the application has been assessed for strengths and weaknesses of each criterion, the reviewer then evaluates the overall likelihood that the project will have significant outcome and impact. These written reviews are used to begin panel discussions with other reviewers serving on the peer review panel. Through these discussions, peer review panelists come to a consensus on the final rating and ranking of proposals. A complete description of NIFA’s peer review process can be found at the NIFA website:

https://nifa.usda.gov/resource/nifa-peer-review-process-competitive-grant-applications.

We will use the evaluation criteria below to review applications submitted in response to this RFA:

1. Potential for Advancing Education about Disaster Preparedness and Response; Significance of the Problem (30 points).

This criterion is used to assess the likelihood that the project will increase knowledge and skills of disaster preparedness and response. Elements considered include institutional goals, USDA’s Goals, identification of a problem or opportunity to be addressed, body of knowledge and data, justification for the project, innovation, advancing educational equity, multidisciplinary and/or problem-based focus, potential for enhancing extension’s reach of providing innovative, education-based approaches to addressing disaster preparedness and specific responses related to natural and man-made disasters, and potential for adoption by others.

2. Proposed Approach and Cooperative Linkages (25 points).

This criterion relates to the soundness of the proposed approach including objectives, methodology, plan of operation, timetable, logic model, scope of the project to produce expected outcomes/changes in knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and/or behaviors in targeted population, expected products and results, evaluation, and dissemination plans. Emphasis is placed on the educational support provided to the applicant institution through its partnerships and collaborative initiatives, and on the potential cooperative linkages likely to evolve as a result of this project. Proposed approach should be one that can be implemented at regional or national level and utilized via existing electronic distribution media such as the Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) and/or eXtension.

3. Institutional Capability and Capacity Building (20 points).

This criterion relates to the institution's capability to perform the project and the degree to which the project will strengthen its extension capacity.