hhs-2024-acf-ana-nb-0054 (1).pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application due May 20, 2024

Administration for Native Americans (ANA)

Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance—Esther Martinez Immersion (EMI) Opportunity number: HHS-2024-ACF-ANA-NB-0054

Contents Before you begin 3

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Program description 11

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 16

Get registered 17

Find the application package 17

Join the webinar 17

Learn more about applying 18

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 19

Application contents and format 20

Step 4: Learn About Review and Award 34

Application review 35

Award notices 43

Step 5: Submit Your Application 44

Application submission and deadlines 45

Application checklist 48

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award 50

Post-award requirements and administration 51

Contacts and Support 54

Contents 2

Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registration is active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks) You must have an active account with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Grants.gov registration (this can take several days) You must have an active Grants.gov registration. Doing so requires a Login.gov registration as well.

See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Apply by May 20, 2024 Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 20, 2024.

To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

Before you begin 3 https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/

Jump to a step

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1:

Review the Opportunity

In this step

Basic information 5

Eligibility 7

Program description 11

Basic information Administration for Children and Families

Administration for Native Americans (ANA)

This program supports community-based projects that ensure continuing vitality of Native languages through immersion-based instruction at Native American language nests and Native American language survival schools.

Have questions?

See Contacts and Support

Key facts

Opportunity name:

Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance—Esther Martinez Immersion (EMI)

Opportunity number:

HHS-2024-ACF-ANA-

NB-0054

Federal Assistance Listing:

93.587

Key dates

Application deadline:

May 20, 2024, 11:59 pm ET

Expected award date:

July 1, 2024

Expected start date:

July 1, 2024

See deadlines.

Summary ANA announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2024 funds for the Native American Language Preservation and Maintenance—Esther Martinez Immersion (EMI) program, as defined by (42 U.S.C. § 2991b-3(b)(7) and Pub. L. 109-394) and (42 U.S.C. § 2991b-3(b)(7)). The EMI program provides funding for community-based projects that ensure continuing vitality of Native languages through immersion-based instruction.

EMI projects must meet the requirements for either a Native American language nest or a Native American language survival school, both of which are immersive, site-based educational programs for children. For more details about these requirements, see the program description.

To receive funding under this opportunity, you must submit an official document that certifies your organization has at least three years of experience operating and administering a Native American language survival school, a Native American language nest, or an educational program in which instruction is through Native American language immersion. ANA will not fund applicants that do not provide the certification as required by law.

You must ensure that your program is providing 500 hours of language immersion instruction to school-age children each year of the project.

If you do not meet the certification requirements or the requirement for minimum hours of immersion instruction, consider applying under ANA’s Preservation and Maintenance Funding Opportunity (HHS-2024-ACF-ANA-NL-0059).

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 5 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:2991b-3%20edition:prelim)

Funding details Type: Grant

Estimated total program funding: $1,000,000

Total expected awards: 2

Minimum award amount for the first budget period (award floor): $100,000

Maximum award amount for the first budget period (award ceiling): $900,000

Project periods can be 36 months, 48 months, or 60 months.

For projects that are 36 months, the project period and budget period are the same.

ANA will award all federal funds at the start of the award.

For project periods of 48 or 60 months, ANA will award the first 36-month budget period at the start of the award. The remaining period(s) of performance will be awarded, as follows:

• 48-month projects have a $300,000 ceiling for the remaining period of performance.

• 60-month projects have a $600,000 ceiling for the remaining period of performance.

Awards made under this funding opportunity are subject to federal funds availability.

The maximum amount of federal funding you can spend each year is $300,000 but you are not required to spend the same amount each year. For example, you could spend $300,000 in year 1, $250,000 in year 2, and $150,000 in year 3.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 6

Eligibility Who can apply

Eligible applicants These types of organizations may apply based on 42 U.S.C. §2991b and 45 CFR § 1336.33:

• Federally recognized Indian tribes, as recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs

(BIA)

• Incorporated non-federally recognized tribes

• Incorporated state-recognized Indian tribes

• Consortia of Indian tribes

• Incorporated, nonprofit multipurpose, community-based Indian organizations (including Urban Indian Organizations as defined by 25 U.S.C §1603(29)); Urban Indian Centers.

• Native Community Development Financial Institutions (Native CDFIs)

• Alaska Native villages as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and/or nonprofit village consortia

• Nonprofit Native organizations in Alaska with village-specific projects

• Incorporated nonprofit Alaska Native multipurpose, community-based organizations

• Nonprofit Alaska Native Regional Corporations/Associations in Alaska with village-specific projects

• Nonprofit Alaska Native community entities or tribal governing bodies (Indian Reorganization Act or Traditional Councils) as recognized by the BIA

• Public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native Hawaiians

• National or regional incorporated nonprofit Native American organizations with Native American community-specific objectives

• Public and nonprofit private agencies serving Native peoples from Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

• Tribal Colleges and Universities; and colleges and universities located in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands that serve Native American Pacific Islanders

Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this funding opportunity. See 45 CFR part 87 and 42 U.S.C. §2000bb et seq.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 7 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title42-section2991b&num=0&saved=%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGU0Mi1zZWN0aW9uMjk5MWItMg%3D%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-1336.33 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-1336.33 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=1999&req=granuleid%3AUSC-1999-title25-section1603&num=0&saved=%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy0xOTk5LXRpdGxlMjUtc2VjdGlvbjE2MDM%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7C1999 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title43/chapter33&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title43/chapter33&edition=prelim https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-87 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=42+usc+2000bb&f=treesort&fq=true&num=9&hl=true&edition=prelim&granuleId=USC-prelim-title42-section2000bb https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=42+usc+2000bb&f=treesort&fq=true&num=9&hl=true&edition=prelim&granuleId=USC-prelim-title42-section2000bb

Individuals, including sole proprietorships, and foreign entities may not apply.

Other eligibility criteria Assurance of Community Representation on Board of Directors If you are not a federally or state-recognized tribe, Alaska Native village government, or public government agency in the US territories, then you must provide documentation that a majority of your board members are representative of the Native American communities that ANA serves.

You must show that a majority of your board members represent a Native American community to be served. You must submit documentation that identifies each board member by name and indicates one or more of ANA’s three categories of community representation for each:

• Members of federally or state-recognized tribes

• Persons who are recognized by members of the eligible Native American community to be served as having a cultural relationship with that community

• Persons considered to be Native American as defined in 45 CFR § 1336.10 and Native American Pacific Islanders as defined in Section 815 of the Native American Programs Act (NAPA)

The second category of community representation requires a “cultural” relationship defined as lineage, familial, marriage, or other traditional or social connection to the community and not a business or work relationship (for example, someone who owns a business or is employed by an organization that serves the Native community).

The following entities are not exempt from this policy and must meet the assurance requirements:

• A Tribal college or university or a territorial public school or university governed by a board separate from the Tribe or territorial government

• An American Indian tribe, Alaska Native village, or public government agency in the Pacific territories applying as a nonprofit organization

Applicants that do not include this documentation in their attachments will be disqualified, and the application will not be considered for competition.

An example of the Assurance of Community Representation of the Board of Directors can be found on ANA’s applicant resource page.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 8 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-1336.10 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title42/chapter34/subchapter8&edition=prelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title42/chapter34/subchapter8&edition=prelim https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ana/toolkit/ana-application-toolkit

Only one active award per assistance listing To be eligible under this NOFO, you can’t have a current active ANA award under the Assistance Listing Number 93.587. Therefore, organizations with an ANA award that will continue beyond the start date of a possible new award and has the same Assistance Listing number as this NOFO is ineligible to apply for a new award and will be disqualified. The application will not be included in the competition. This disqualification factor does not impact organizations that have an ANA award under a different Assistance Listing number.

See initial review for disqualification factors.

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 9

Cost sharing This program requires you to contribute 20% of the project’s total cost.

You can calculate this cost sharing requirement in one of two ways:

Method 1: Start with the federal share Calculation: Divide the federal requested amount by 4.

For example: $100,000 divided by 4 = $25,000 in cost sharing.

Method 2: Start with the total project cost Calculation: Divide the total project costs by 5.

For example: $125,000 divided by 5 = $25,000 in cost sharing.

Types of cost sharing You can meet your match requirement through any combination of:

• In-kind (non-cash) contributions from partners or other third parties

• Cash contributed by your organization

• Cash contributed by partners or other third parties

Please view the applicant resource page for additional ways to meet your cost sharing requirements.

Cost sharing commitments You must follow through on your promise of cost sharing funds even if you promise more than required. We put these commitments in the Notice of Award (NoA). You’ll have to include your funds when you fill out your Federal Financial Reports.

If you don’t provide your promised amount, we may have to decrease your award amount or use other enforcement actions.

Cost sharing waiver If requested, we can waive cost sharing up to $199,999 for awards to the governments of American Samoa, Guam, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (except for consolidated awards under 45 CFR part 97). You must meet any amount of cost sharing over $199,999. See 48 USC §1469a(d) Congressional declaration of policy respecting “Insular Areas”.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 10 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-97 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:48%20section:1469a%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title48-section1469a)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:48%20section:1469a%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title48-section1469a)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true

Program description The purpose of the EMI program is to help Native Americans ensure the survival and vitality of Native American languages through immersion language instruction.

EMI projects must meet the requirements for either a Native American language nest or a Native American language survival school, as defined by the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act (42 U.S.C. §2991b-3(b)(7)). These requirements are as follows:

• Language nests are site-based educational programs that must do all of the following:

◦ Provide instruction and child care in a Native American language for at least five children under the age of 7 for an average of at least 500 hours per year per child

◦ Provide classes in such languages for parents or legal guardians of children enrolled in such language nests

◦ Ensure that a Native American language is the dominant medium of instruction in the Native American language nest

• Native American language survival schools are site-based educational programs for school-age students that must do all of the following:

◦ Provide an average of at least 500 hours of instruction using one or more Native American languages for at least 10 students for whom a Native American language survival school is their principal place of instruction

◦ Develop instructional courses and materials

◦ Provide for teacher training

◦ Work toward a goal of all students achieving fluency in a Native American language

◦ Promote academic proficiency in mathematics, reading, and sciences

◦ Be located in areas that have high numbers or percentages of Native American students

For the purpose of this NOFO, ANA defines school-age students as students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

ANA encourages survival schools to also provide Native American language classes or training for parents or legal guardians of enrolled students.

EMI projects often replicate and modify successful language preservation projects so that other tribes and organizations can carry out those same projects.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 11

EMI projects that focus on promoting use of a Native American language in community members’ daily lives may also include efforts to preserve that language for the benefit of future generations.

You can find a list of our currently funded projects on our active grants website, but this is only a limited selection of the kinds of projects we are interested in funding.

Successful applications vary widely. As you consider whether your project may be a good fit for this opportunity, we encourage you to interpret our program goals broadly.

To learn more about the Program Areas of Interest for this NOFO, see ANA’s Program Areas page.

Program-specific terms and concepts in this NOFO can be found on ANA’s applicant resource page.

EMI projects can be up to five years long. All EMI grants must have a start date of July 1, 2024.

View program-specific terms and concepts related to this NOFO.

Language certification As per 42 U.S.C. §2991b-3(c)(7), EMI applicants must certify a minimum of three years’ experience in running one of the following educational programs:

• A Native American language survival school

• A Native American language nest

• An education program in which instruction is through Native American language immersion

You should include this certification in the attachments section.

ANA will not fund applicants failing to provide this certification. Entities partnered with applicants don’t need to meet this certification requirement.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 12 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ana/fact-sheet/active-grants-native-languages-esther-martinez-immersion https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ana/programs https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ana/programs https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ana/toolkit/ana-application-toolkit https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ana/toolkit/ana-application-toolkit https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title42/chapter34/subchapter8&edition=prelim

Note on certification and language requirements

Please make careful note of this NOFO’s requirements for language certification and language immersion instruction. If your project does not meet both of the following requirements, consider applying under ANA’s Preservation and Maintenance Funding Opportunity (HHS-2024-ACF-ANA-NL-0059).

• You must submit an official document that certifies your organization has at least three years of experience operating and administering a Native American language survival school, a Native American language nest, or an educational program in which instruction is through Native American language immersion.

• You must ensure that your program is providing 500 hours of language immersion instruction to school-age children each year of the project.

Indigenous Knowledge We recognize Indigenous Knowledge and encourage you to incorporate it into your project.

Per the November 2022 Executive Order Guidance for Federal Departments and Agencies on Indigenous Knowledge:

“Indigenous Knowledge is a body of observations, oral and written knowledge, innovations, practices, and beliefs developed by Tribes and Indigenous Peoples through interaction and experience with the environment. It is applied to phenomena across biological, physical, social, cultural, and spiritual systems. Indigenous Knowledge can be developed over millennia, continues to develop, and includes understanding based on evidence acquired through direct contact with the environment and long-term experiences, as well as extensive observations, lessons, and skills passed from generation to generation.”

Federal evaluation Under Section 811 of NAPA (42 U.S.C. §2992), ANA is required to provide an evaluation of funded projects including evaluations that describe and measure the success of such projects, their effectiveness in achieving stated goals, and their structure and mechanism for delivery of services.

ANA undertakes a federally sponsored evaluation strategy to assess the effectiveness and success of approved projects. The federal evaluation strategy will include review of recipient level documentation including, but not limited to, the Ongoing Progress Reports (OPR), which is approved under Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 0970-0452 (expiration date September 30, 2026). Recipients agree to

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 13 https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/OSTP-CEQ-IK-Guidance.pdf https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/OSTP-CEQ-IK-Guidance.pdf https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ana/native_american_programs_act.pdf participate fully in the federal evaluation and to follow evaluation protocols established by ANA.

Federal project evaluations are completed during end-of-project site visits from ANA, when evaluators use a structured information collection tool approved under OMB control number 0970-0379 (expiration date June 30, 2025). The site visit reviews information provided through the recipient’s initial application and OPRs to evaluate the progress toward achieving the project’s goal and objectives by project staff throughout the project period.

Funding policies and limitations We do not allow the following costs under this NOFO:

• Construction

• Purchase of real property

• Major renovation

Additionally, 45 CFR §1336.33(b) has the effect of making the following projects ineligible for funding under this NOFO:

• Projects for which a recipient will provide third-party training and technical assistance to other tribes or Native American organizations or to non-members of the recipient organization

• Projects that require funding for feasibility studies, business plans, marketing plans, or written materials such as manuals that are not an essential part of the applicant’s long-range development plan

• Projects with core administration functions that essentially support only the applicant’s ongoing administrative functions and are not related to the proposed project

• Projects that support ongoing social service delivery programs or the expansion, or continuation, of existing social service delivery programs

• Projects that do not further the three interrelated ANA goals of economic development, social development, and cultural preservation

• Projects from consortia of tribes that do not include documentation from each participating consortium member specifying their role and support. Projects from consortia must have goals and objectives that will encompass the participating communities. ANA will not fund projects by a consortium of tribes that duplicate activities for which participating member tribes also receive funding from ANA

• The purchase of real estate

See 45 CFR §75.420 – 75.475 for information on costs that are always unallowable or have restrictions.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 14 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XIII/subchapter-D/part-1336/subpart-C/section-1336.33 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-75/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFR5d90ba314caea08

Indirect costs Indirect costs are those for a common or joint purpose across more than one project and that cannot be easily separated by project.

To charge indirect costs you can select one of two methods:

Method 1 — Approved rate. You currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant federal agency.

Method 2 — De minimis rate. Per 45 CFR §75.414(f), if you have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate. If you are awaiting approval of an indirect cost proposal, you may also use the de minimis rate. If you choose this method, costs included in the indirect cost pool must not be charged as direct costs.

The de minimis rate is 10% of modified total direct costs (MTDC). See 45 CFR §75.2 for the definition of MTDC. You can use this rate indefinitely.

Learn more at 45 CFR §75.414, Indirect Costs.

Subawards The prime recipient must maintain a substantive role in the project. We define a substantive role as conducting funded activities and providing services that are necessary and integral to completing the project. Monitoring your subrecipient’s activities is not a substantive role.

See 45 CFR §75.352 for information on subrecipient monitoring.

We do not fund awards where the role of the applicant is primarily to serve as a conduit for passing funds to other organizations unless that arrangement is authorized by statute.

Subrecipients must meet the eligibility requirements of this NOFO.

Required attendance at post-award meetings You must have the project director and a financial management staff person working on the project attend post-award training during the first year of their award and attend an annual ANA Recipient Meeting during each year of their ANA award. You must budget for all expenses associated with this required attendance.

Statutory authority This program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. § 2991b-3(a) and (b)(7) (Sections 803C(a) and (b)(7) of the NAPA, as amended).

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 1: Review the Opportunity 15 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75#p-75.414(f) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/part-75#p-75.2(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.414 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/section-75.352 https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/4766

Step 2:

Get Ready to Apply

In this step

Get registered 17

Find the application package 17

Join the webinar 17

Learn more about applying 18

Get registered Sam.gov Your entity must have an active registration with SAM.gov. This includes having a Unique Entity Identifier. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks. Begin that process today. Registration is valid for one year before renewal is required.

To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click Get Started. From the same page, you can click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

Grants.gov You must also have an active account with Grants.gov. You can see step-by-step instructions at the Grants.gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants.

Need help? See Contacts and Support.

Find the application package The application package has all the forms you need to apply. You can find it online. Go to Search Grants at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number HHS-2024-ACF-ANA- NB-0054. Click on the opportunity number’s search result. Then, select the “Package” tab.

If you can’t use Grants.gov to download application materials, you may request them from the Grants Management contact.

If you are also unable to apply through Grants.gov, See exemptions for paper submissions.

Join the webinar ANA has an on-demand pre-application webinar about the NOFOs. The pre-application webinar and materials are accessible on ACF’s ANA events website.

The pre-application webinar is available throughout the 60-day duration of the open application period. Viewing the webinar is voluntary. The webinar is available on demand on the events website. The presentation will only include information provided in this NOFO. Opting not to view the webinar will not affect eligibility,

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 17 https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration http://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://grants.gov/search-grants https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ana/events https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ana/events https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ana/events application scoring, or the selection process. In the event of a discrepancy between the webinar and the NOFO, the NOFO takes precedence.

Learn more about applying Visit Applying for an ACF Grant Award on the ACF Grants Page.

1. Review 2. Get ready 3. Prepare 4. Learn 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply 18 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/how-apply-grant

Step 3:

Prepare Your Application

In this step

Application contents and format 20

Application contents and format Application components

The following are the required components of a completed application:

• Table of contents

• Project summary

• Project narrative

• Organizational capacity

• Line-item budget and budget narrative

• Attachments

• Standard forms

Required format Page limit: 100 pages. We have clearly marked in the application checklist all components that are not included in this page limit.

File format: Portable Document File (PDF) is recommended, but not required. ACF supports the following file formats when you attach files to the Project Narrative Attachment Form and the Other Attachments Form:

• Adobe PDF – Portable Document Format (.pdf)

• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)

• Microsoft Excel (.xls or .xlsx)

• Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt)

• Image Formats (.JPG, .GIF, .TIFF, or .BMP only)

Paper Size: 8.5 inches by 11 inches

Margins: 1 inch all around

Language: English

If possible, include page numbers

Do not include external links to information you want reviewers to assess.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 20

Fonts Font: Times New Roman

Size: 12-point font

Footnotes and text in tables and graphics may be 10-point.

Spacing Table of contents: Must be single-spaced

Project summary: Must be single-spaced

Project narrative: Must be double-spaced

Line-Item budget and Budget narrative: Can be single-spaced

Attachments: As needed

Tables and footnotes throughout: Can be single-spaced

Table of contents At the beginning of your application, include a table of contents that guides a reader through the contents of files in your application.

Project summary Not included in the page limit.

Provide a one-page summary of the project description. Do not cross-reference to other parts of the application. The summary must include:

• At the top, the project title, applicant name, address, phone numbers, email addresses, and any website URL

• A brief description of the project, including the needs and population you will address and your proposed services

Project narrative The project narrative is where you address all your proposed activities. It is a critical section of your application, which we evaluate and rank against other applications using the merit review criteria. Remember that substance and measurable outcomes are more important than length.

We are particularly interested in project narratives that convey strategies for achieving intended performance.

In it, you must:

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 21

• Explain how the project will meet the purpose of the NOFO, as described in the program description section.

• Make sure your narrative is clear, concise, and complete.

• Use cross-referencing rather than repetition.

• Be sure to include any required supporting documents noted. You generally provide these in your attachments.

• Use the headings and order of the sections that follow.

Geographic location Provide the precise physical location of your project and boundaries of the area you will serve. If you will include any subrecipients in your project that will serve the geographic areas include their locations as well.

You will also provide information related to your site in the Project/Performance Site Location(s)form. See standard forms.

Past ANA project performance ANA provides project-specific funding and not ongoing program funding. If you are proposing a project that is similar, in whole or in part, to previously funded activities, please provide a detailed description of what was achieved by the earlier project. In addition, provide explicit details and explanation of how the proposed project is different and not a duplicate of the previously funded project.

Current community condition Identify one current community condition the proposed project will address. While ANA understands that communities face many conditions at the same time, you should identify only one current community condition statement that the proposed project will address.

Fully describe the current status of the Native language, including the following:

• Current number of fluent and emerging speakers with details to indicate fluency levels

• Current language learning resources available for use within the community

• A description of the existing language program(s)

• Participation in language preservation by current and emerging language speakers

An example of a current community condition is: “With a youth fluency rate of less than 15% in the community, community members are asking for a more intensive language

Step 3: Prepare Your Application 22 learning opportunity for children ages 18 months to 5 years old, as well as increased parental opportunities for language learning.”

Project goal In a single sentence, state a project goal that will be achieved by the end of the project.

The project goal should describe an improvement to the current community condition.

Additionally, describe how the project goal is relevant to this opportunity and explain how the project goal is achievable by the end of the project period.

An example of a project goal is: “To revive language use through an immersion language nest for children 18 months to 5 years old, as a catalyst for overall revitalization of the language.”

Objectives Describe the results your project will achieve and how it will achieve them.

Identify up to three objectives for the entire project period.

Well-written objectives help set program priorities and targets for progress and accountability. We recommend that you avoid verbs that may have vague meanings to describe the intended outcomes, like “understand” or “know,” because it may prove difficult to measure them. Instead, write objectives that document action, such as: “By the end of 36 months, there will be an increase in language fluency by four levels to a beginner-high level, for at least 10 immersion language nest students, 18 months to 5 years old.”

Each objective can include:

• A timeline describing when the objective will be completed. This should be expressed in project years (for example: “by the end of 36 months”)

• A description of what will be completed through the objective (for example, “Participants will successfully complete trainings”)

• A measure of the amount of change expected by the end of the project (for example, “75% of program participants will have completed the training program”)

An example of how to write an objective can be found on ANA’s applicant resource page.

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Project implementation plan Tell us the story of who you are and what you want to accomplish with your project, including the following:

• What your timeline will be

• How you will achieve your goals and objectives

• Who will be involved

• What resources you will need to be successful

Describe your action plan to implement the project. Describe the scope of your proposed project and explain in detail how you will accomplish it. Account for all functions or activities you identify in your application.

Discuss all the steps that must be taken in order to implement each objective and to achieve the expected outcomes.

You must include a detailed implementation plan for each objective. You will also submit your plan using the objective work plan (OWP) form. See standard forms.

Present this plan as a narrative that provides more information on the objectives, activities, and results presented in the OWP. Include all necessary steps and realistic timeframes to achieve each objective. Do not copy the OWP directly into the narrative to complete this section.

If a license or permit is needed for any of the activities in your proposed project, your implementation plan should describe how and when it will be obtained.

Explain potential obstacles, barriers, or challenges that could delay the project or hinder you from accomplishing the project goals. Identify strategies you will use to address them. Challenges you might address include partnerships falling through, weather, and low participant recruitment.

Identify the measures you will take to ensure that the positive changes achieved by the project will be sustained beyond the end of the project. These can include resources, staff, or partners that are needed to sustain positive changes from the project.

Community-based strategy Community involvement in project design and implementation is one of the key factors in determining if a project will be successful.

• Describe your experience working on projects within the community. Include why your organization is the best suited to work with the community to implement the project.

• Describe the community’s participation and engagement in past projects.

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• Describe how the community was involved in identifying the need for the project and how their feedback was incorporated into the project design. Explain who or what members of the community, including the tribal council or board, were involved to identify the need for the project.

◦ You can also demonstrate the extent of community involvement during project planning by including supporting documentation (including, but not limited to, stakeholder meeting agendas, sign-in sheets, surveys, and focus group notes). A narrative to describe community is acceptable and additional documents are optional. If you include them, you should submit them under Documents for Community Support in the other attachments section.

Population to be served Describe the participants or beneficiaries who will take part in the project’s activities.

Explain how they will benefit from participating.

• Identify how participants will be recruited for the project, including any outreach activities related to recruitment.

• Identify outreach activities that will be used to maintain community awareness, involvement, or participation in the project. Examples of outreach activities include community meetings, news media, social media, events, and publications.

Outcomes Outcomes are measurable changes that will result from achievement of the implementation plan. Outcomes can include but are not limited to increases in capacity and changes in knowledge, awareness, attitudes, skills, or behaviors.

Outcomes can be the same or different for each objective.

• Identify an outcome for each objective.

• Show clear connections between the outcomes, the current community condition, the project goal, and the objectives.

Each objective funded under the EMI NOFO must include a primary outcome that aligns to one of the following categories:

• Increased language fluency

• Increased community member use of language learning resources

• Increased ability to deliver immersion instruction by certifying language teachers

• Increased capacity to implement a language program

An example outcome is: “Increase in language fluency for immersion language nest students aged 18 months to 5 years.”

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Objective work plan (OWP) We require you to submit an objective work plan (OWP). Please refer to standard forms for the OWP form that you must use.

The OWP is a blueprint for achieving project objectives. It arranges major steps based on the implementation plan and includes details like:

• Key activities: The “how” of the project

• Time frames: “When” these activities should be accomplished

• Responsible staff: “Who” will carry out each activity

• Outcomes: Outcomes describe the most significant change the objective will produce. Include the primary outcome for each objective as stated in the project narrative.

• Outputs: Outputs are the direct, tangible results of activities. This is often expressed as a target number of activities completed or people served. The outputs are logical results of the successful completion of activities within the proposed time frame.

The OWP should be a work plan for each objective and each year.

• The OWP should have no more than three objectives, as stated in the project narrative.

• The OWP should include all activities needed to successfully achieve each objective. Each objective can have up to 25 activities per year. The project year for this NOFO begins July 1 and ends June 30 for each year of the project.

• If an objective spans more than one year, the OWP should be provide details about which activities will occur in each year.

We strongly encourage you to review the OWP form and instructions available at Grants.gov.

Organizational capacity This section of your application will describe the organization’s data management plan and staffing plan, including qualifications and experience of staff, partnerships, and consultants.

Data management plan Describe a data management plan that will be used during implementation to collect information that can improve the project over time. This plan must include:

• A description of which staff will be responsible for data collection, tracking, and reporting

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Step 3: Prepare Your Application 26 https://grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family

• How you will monitor ongoing activities to measure progress toward the project’s objectives

• The data collection tools and processes that will measure each objective

◦ Examples of tools include Excel spreadsheets, logic models, surveys, assessments, Indigenous Knowledge in the form of community observations or interviews, and outcome trackers

◦ If data collection tools need to be developed, explain how you will develop them

• A timeline for how you will review and use data collected to make adjustments to the project

Staffing plan You may provide your staffing plan in a narrative format or by attaching project-specific job descriptions.

• Identify all staff, partners, and consultants (filled and unfilled) supporting the project. Each person’s role and responsibilities should be explained. If known, please include the names of staff members who will fill key roles.

• Explain recruitment and hiring process for positions (staff, partners, and consultants) that need to be filled.

• Identify the principal investigator/project director (PI/PD) and authorized organizational representative (AOR) for the project (see definitions). The AOR and PI/PD cannot be the same person, and the separation of these duties must be identified.

◦ PI/PD responsibilities include monitoring progress and maintaining oversight of program reporting, staff, and partners.

◦ AOR will have official signing responsibility for the award.

◦ If a permanent PI/PD or AOR is unknown, identify who will take on the role until the position is filled and provide a timeline for filling the role with permanent personnel.

• Describe how the project will continue if positions become vacant at any time during the project period.

Partnerships and consultants

• Identify each partner, consultant, or subrecipient and explain how they will support project activities. Include scopes of work, MOUs, or letters of commitment.

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◦ If the project does not plan on including these entities, please indicate so by stating: “Our project will not include the support of partners, consultants, or subrecipients.”

• Describe plans to finalize partnerships agreements if not completed and contingency plans for partnerships or consultant agreements if they fall through.

• Identify processes for communicating with partners or consultants and explain how agreements will be managed and maintained.

Oversight plan Recipients are required to ensure proper oversight in accordance with 45 CFR part 75, subpart D. Oversight is the process by which an entity’s senior management ensures projects are performed in compliance with award requirements.

Provide a plan for oversight that:

• Describes key oversight staff who will be responsible for overseeing project staff and, if applicable, partners, consultants, or subrecipients.

• Describes key oversight staff who will be responsible for complying with applicable tribal policies and procedures, as well as state and federal laws and regulations. These responsibilities will include drawing down federal funds and ensuring internal controls are in place when authorizing expenditures. There should be a clear separation of duties between the financial and the program staff.

• Identifies systems for record-keeping, financial management, and reporting to oversight bodies.

• Explains procedures to avoid conflicts of interest.

Line-item budget and budget narrative The line-item budget and budget narrative support the information you provide in the Budget Information Standard Form SF-424-A. See standard forms.

These documents justify the costs you ask for and includes added detail, including detailed calculations for the “object class categories” in the Budget Information Standard Form. You will provide this information for each year of the period of performance. See funding periods.

As you develop your budget, consider:

• If the costs are necessary, reasonable, allocable, and consistent with your project’s purpose and activities

• How you calculate your costs in ways that are clear and repeatable

• The restrictions on spending funds. See funding policies and limitations

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We encourage you also to review the Standard Form instructions.

To create your line-item budget and narrative, see detailed instructions on ACF’s budget information page.

In general, you must:

• Provide a budget that reflects expenditures in 12-month increments.

• Indicate the method you will use for your indirect cost rate, if applicable. See indirect costs for further information.

• Include estimation methods, quantities, unit costs, and other similar quantitative detail sufficient for the calculation to be duplicated.

• For any cost sharing, include a detailed listing of any funding sources identified in Block 18 of the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance.

Budgets should include a column for each of the following and should be organized in this order:

• Object class categories (sections of cost types for the line items)

• Federal share (or costs that will be covered by the federal award)

• Match (cost share). This can be cash or in-kind and is the required 20% total project cost to be contributed by the applicant

The budget narrative provides the cost calculations and breakdown for each line item for each year of the project. The budget justification also provides a brief statement of the need for or benefit of this line-item expenditure relating to the accomplishment of the project.

• For example, personnel wage rate per hour multiplied by the number of hours to equal the annual salary listed for personnel, or vendor quotes for equipment over $5,000.

• For example, “Xerox Copy Machine, $5215 (see quotes). This is for the mass production of training materials required.”

Cost sharing The application should include attachments with information or documentation, such as commitment letters from partners, vendors, tribal resolution, or board resolution, to demonstrate how the required 20% of cost share contributions will be met.

Required ANA travel costs

• ANA will conduct a national language post-award training and networking opportunity for all new Native language recipients.

◦ Your budget should include travel costs for two people (the Project Director and a financial administrator) to attend post-award training for two days

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Step 3: Prepare Your Application 29 https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ana/2023%20EMI%20Budget%20Template.xlsx https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ana/2023%20EMI%20Budget%20Template.xlsx https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ana/2023%20EMI%20Budget%20Template.xlsx during the first year of your award. The training will be held in a central location, usually Phoenix, Arizona. You should follow your organization’s travel policies to develop this budget.

• Additionally, you should budget for two people to attend the Annual Grant Recipient Meeting, which is usually held in Washington, DC, each project year.

Optional ANA travel for National Native American Language Summit Each year, ANA cohosts a one-day National Native American Language Summit.

Applicants are encouraged to budget for two project staff to attend but attendance is not required. The summit is held in a centralized location that will be announced in advance of the event.

Proprietary or personally identifiable information In your application, you may identify salary or other proprietary information or personally identifiable information. We will remove this information from applications before they go to reviewers.

If you have an exemption for paper submission, you can protect salary information and any proprietary information by placing that information only in the original application. You can remove the information from the copies, keeping summary information.

Attachments You will upload attachments in Grants.gov using the Other Attachments Form. These attachments are included in the overall application page limit unless it says otherwise in this section.

Indirect cost agreement If you include indirect costs in your budget using an approved rate, include a copy of your current agreement approved by your cognizant agency for indirect costs. If you use the de minimis rate, you do not need to submit this attachment.

See indirect costs for more information.

Proof of nonprofit status If your organization is a nonprofit, you need to attach proof. We will accept any of the following:

• A reference to your listing in the IRS’s most recent list of tax-exempt organizations

• A copy of a current tax exemption certificate from the IRS

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• A letter from your state’s tax department, Attorney General, or another appropriate state official saying that your group is a…