Project Narrative Template - UAIP.docx

UAIP Project Narrative Template Thoroughly review the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) Competitive Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) before completing this template. The use of this template is strongly encouraged and not required. It can be submitted in PDF or MS Word format and attached to the application package within Grants.gov.

The text of your Project Narrative must be single spaced and typed in a standard typeface (e.g., Times New Roman, Arial, Courier) with no smaller than 12-point font and must not exceed 15 pages. The Project Narrative (items 10.i. through vii. below) shall not exceed 10 pages of written text, and up to 5 additional pages for figures and tables. The agency has established this maximum (15 pages) to ensure fair and equitable competition. Proposals that fail to comply with the required content and format will not be considered for funding. Material exceeding stated page limits and/or formatting structure will not be considered. Incomplete and/or noncompliant proposals will not be considered. Please note that answers to questions 1 through 9 below do not count towards the 15-page limit.

1. Applicant Organization Must match box 8 of the SF-424.

Applicant Organization:

Phone Number:

Email:

Mailing Address:

2. Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) List the person who will be the main contact for any correspondence and is responsible for signing any documentation should the grant be awarded. Must match box 21 of the SF-424.

Name:

Title:

Phone Number:

Email:

Mailing Address: ☐ Check if same as above

3. Applicant Entity Type Select the applicable entity type for your organization as defined in Section C. of the NFO.

Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) Native American tribal governments (other than federally recognized) Nonprofits having a 501(c)3 status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)3 status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education A unit of local government Any school that serves any of the grades kindergarten through grade 12

4. Grant Application Project Type Select the applicable project type as described in Section A of the NFO.

Planning Project Implementation Project

5. Project Title Provide a descriptive title. Must match box 15 of the SF-424.

6. Funding Request Insert the total amount ($) of Federal funds requested. This must match the total amount requested on Line 18a. Estimated Federal Funding of the SF-424.

7. Duration of Project Start Date: End Date:

8. Project Target Area(s) Physical Address Enter each address where this project will occur.

9. Continuation Project Information Does this project continue the efforts of a previously funded UAIP project?

Yes No

If you have selected “yes”, please describe how this project will differ from and build on the previous efforts. Include the year funded, project type and completion date.

10. Project Narrative For a Planning Project (PP), include headings noted for items i. through v. below, followed by a narrative that includes a response for each of the points noted for the corresponding item. For an Implementation Project (IP), include headings noted for items i. through vii. below, followed by a narrative that includes a response for each of the points noted for the corresponding item.

i. Project Overview and Relationship to Program Objectives:

Present a statement of need or assessment of the problem. Define the target audience and end users of this project. Describe how this project will initiate, build upon, or expand related work or programs. Discuss how project activities and outcomes will address the purpose of the PP and how the project will make a difference in the targeted urban area(s) and/or suburb(s).

ii. The Community to Be Involved in the Project and the Needs to Be Addressed:

Describe your approach to determining the critical elements and needs of the local food economy or food system of the area or community to be served. Document this with data such as demographics, income, and geographic characteristics of the area(s) or community to be served, linking it to UAIP priorities. What is the situation that is causing concern? Why is it happening?

iii. The Organizations and Communities Involved in the Project:

List the partner(s), organization(s) and community(ies) and key personnel to be involved in carrying out the proposed project and how they will be involved. Include a description of the relevant experience of each, including the applicant organization that will be involved, and any related project history. Proposals should demonstrate extensive community linkages and coalitions. Applicant organizations should demonstrate a history of commitment to and direct involvement with UAIP priorities, as well as success in outreach to the area or community to be served. The qualifications of key personnel involved with the proposed project and/or organizational leadership must reflect the expertise necessary to carry out the proposed project activities or similar types of activities. Experience in and connections with the community will be considered as important as academic or professional credentials in this regard.

iv. Project Goals and Intended Outcomes:

Concisely state the goal(s) and objectives of the proposed project. Note the main targets or beneficiaries of the project and the community needs and opportunities being addressed. Identify anticipated outcomes and benefits in measurable terms. Outcomes must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. Describe what will be accomplished, and who and how many people (e.g., residents, students, participants) will benefit. Describe the involvement of stakeholders in developing project objectives and implementing results.

v. Activities to Achieve the Goals:

Summarize the work to be performed in non-technical terms for each goal and project objective(s). Explain why the applicant and its partners selected the activities proposed in the application. Include a timeline of activities with milestones and verifiable indicators to demonstrate how progress will be measured and achieved, and methods that will be used to ensure fiscal accountability. The summary should include the relevance of the project to the priorities of UAIP.

vi. Evaluation:

Include a strong evaluation component. Innovative evaluation strategies are especially encouraged. USDA seeks to determine best practices, including valuable lessons learned; therefore, proposals are encouraged that include both process evaluations (developing and monitoring indicators of progress towards the objectives) and outcome evaluations (to determine whether the objectives were met).

vii. Self-Sustainability:

Describe which aspects or components of the project will continue beyond the end of the project period. Discuss how a one- time infusion of Federal funds will be enough for the proposed IP to advance UAIP goals and achieve sustainability. Identify actual or potential funding sources for continuation of the project after Federal funding has ended.