q&as for grants.gov (updated on april 24).docx

Q&As

1. How can I get more information on this grant?

The detailed information of 2015 CARSI ESF Grants is on grants.gov. You should be able to find everything about this grant opportunity in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) “full announcement” under the “related document” tab on grants.gov.

2. Could a for-profit organization or for-profit educational institution apply for this grant?

No. Per the NOFO eligibility, only the following may apply: U.S. or overseas-based non-governmental and non-profit organizations (NGOs), Public International Organizations (PIOs) and Non-Profit Educational Institutions.

3. Can a current grant recipient respond to the 2015 CARSI ESF NOFO?

Yes, this NOFO is open to all eligible organizations and individuals. However, applicants must ensure that the new proposal focuses on responding to this year’s NOFO and the project objectives listed.

4. Is it possible to get feedback on our previous proposals?

Yes. Please contact the Embassy for further detail on the process for such request.

5. What are the required documents to fulfil the eligibility requirements? Do we need to prove that we are eligible?

All application requirements and documents needed are listed on the NOFO. Per the NOFO, applicants must complete forms SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B. Applicants may find links to these forms here, or on the application package under the grants.gov notice (http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=275213). Applicants must also submit a cover sheet, table of contents, executive summary, proposal narrative, budget narrative, line-item budget, and additional attachments. Please refer to the NOFO for additional details.

6. Can a newly form NGO Apply for the grant?

Yes, we encourage every individual and organization that meets the eligibility requirement to submit their proposal.

7. If a NGO hasn't gotten an audit as yet, can they still apply for this grant?

Yes. The proposal submitted to the Embassy also has to include the cost of an audit and that will be the audit that the organization receives.

8. Can a sub-grantee be a for profit organization?

For-profit organizations are not eligible as primary grantee. They may be eligible as sub-grantee. However, the proposed activities for the grant should not be for the purpose of profit.

9. Do U.S. Organizations require letter of commitment from regional partners?

No, but it may be beneficial to have the letter attached to the application.

10. In the SF-424, it says to list the country/countries the project will take place. What should we fill in?

Please name “Belize” as the target area of the project.

11. Can the target group considered “marginalized communities” be comprised of Belizeans older than the age range of 18 to 25 years old?

No, the projects should be focused on at-risk youth between the ages stated in the NOFO.

12. The NOFO strongly encourages proposals that provide jobs for women due to the gender-disproportionate unemployment rate. Having say that, can you clarify the degree to which potential employment for females (as opposed to males) is a priority?

We are focusing on both groups. In the evaluation process, we will look at the overall grant proposals and will select those that best respond to the “Technical Evaluation Criteria”. We are not prioritizing female projects over male projects.

13. Does the proposed program have to be in Belmopan or can it be throughout Belize?

The proposed program does not have to be in Belmopan. The program can involve communities in different areas of Belize. However, applicants should do proper research about Belize prior to setting out the goals to ensure that the plan will be feasible.

14. Can you share what areas that have been served by this grant in the past?

Our past grantees had covered many areas in Belize, including rural and urban areas in southern and northern parts of Belize, Belize City, Belmopan and adjacent zones at the boarders.

15. Would you prefer the proposal to target on an urban community or rural one?

We do not have a preference. The applicant must decide what will be the best way to meet the objective(s) in the NOFO.

16. Is there a particular area of Belize that you consider a priority area to focus on the curbing crime and violence?

We do not have a priority area in Belize. The program can involve communities in different areas of Belize. Applicants should do proper research about Belize prior to setting out the goals to ensure that the plan will be feasible.

17. Does CARSI prefer applicants to focus on one objective or does it prefer that applicants look more favorably on broader programs that address more than one of the objectives?

Applicants have to address at least one objective in the NOFO. It is the decision of the applicants if they would like to address more than one objective. Applicants can take a closer look at the “Technical Evaluation Criteria” in the NOFO to know more about how all applications and proposals will be reviewed.

18. Is there a maximum or minimum amount of participant the program should include?

We do not have a set limit on minimum or maximum amount of participants involved in the proposed program.

19. Can a portion of the funds be used to grant startup funding for business initiatives for the intended beneficiaries?

In most cases, the answer is no. If sub-grant startup funding is absolutely essential to the project, the applicant should clarify what the costs would be (and that they are allowable), what mechanism would be used to provide the cost (e.g., a sub-grant), how the implementer would track the use of the supplies, etc.

20. Do scholarships fall under eligible activities under your grant?

Please review 2 CFR 200.466 (Scholarships and student aid costs) to determine whether the scholarship costs your application proposes are allowable.

21. Is purchase of land for entrepreneurs allowed?

Land purchase is not allowable. Please see “budget conditions & restrictions” in the NOFO for detailed information.

22. If volunteers are recruited to support the implementation of the project, is a volunteer allowance/stipend/accommodation allowed under this project? Transportation, per diem, and/or accommodation costs are allowable. In-kind volunteer support should be reflected in the budget as cost share, as there is a monetary value for the time and effort these individuals are contributing to the project.

23. Is it allowed for participants to get stipend to and from work?

No, stipends and salaries for participants will not be allowable.

24. Would your grant opportunity allow for a revolving fund for micro-finance? Or some type of low interest loan to needed youths?

These funds may not support micro-finance and loan activities.

25. Does seed funding qualify under this grant opportunity?

Seed funding is allowable under this grant.

26. Can adequate short-term training abroad can be a part of this grant?

It is allowable but short-term training abroad may not be the best use of grant funds or may not have the greatest impact in Belize.

27. Is there an expected ratio of funds to youths served?

This depends on the program that proposers intend to do. We do not have an expected ratio for proposers to follow but the proposed programs should be cost effective.

28. Are there specified percentages of the total grant that must be appropriated for specific categories of costs/expenses? e.g. salary cannot exceed 10 % of total cost No, it is up to the proposers to properly distribute the resources when doing budget for their proposed program.

29. For supplies where it is difficult to estimate the supplies for entrepreneurs/sub grantees, can a cap (ballpark figure) be included in the budget?

Proposers should try to anticipate the supplies expense for entrepreneurs. It is also an option to list successful young participants in the program as the sub-grantees to start their business.

30. When skills are necessary to obtain from outside of Belize, and only travel expense is to be paid, is it considered under consultancy or travel expense?

Since the expense is to cover travel expense only, then it should be itemized under “Travel” category. However, the budget narrative should explain in details as why those trips are necessary.

31. When we do the detailing of the proposal, do we have to indicate specific individual and the role/position they took (i.e. project manager)?

Yes, when it comes to personnel, proposers need to state the name of the individuals and their position in the program. If the proposal is granted, any changes in key personnel need to be communicated with the Embassy.

32. Pg.13 of the NOFO states that C.V is not recommended. However, Tab E states that resumes of key personnel are required. Which one should we follow?

C.V is only required for the individuals taking key roles who have significant contribution and influence over the progress and results of the proposed programs.

33. Please define key personnel.

The applicant should determine which personnel are the key to the success of the project. Per the NOFO, organizations should submit shorts bios or resumes for these individuals. It is at the discretion of the embassy to request further information

34. Is there any other way for us to submit our application if not through grants.gov?

All the application packages need to be submitted through grants.gov. This is the only way that your proposal can be received and reviewed.

35. What is the proper procedure to upload the application documents?

Please kindly follow the instructions given in the grant Application Package and the NOFO.

36. The NOFO refers that all documents should be submitted in Microsoft Word from, but grants.gov requires us to upload in PDF form. Which one we should follow?

Please follow the instruction stated on grants.gov.

37. Who was awarded the grant last year? How much was awarded?

The recipients of last year are:

· Belmopan Active Youth (BAY); Job Creation and Entrepreneurship Development

· Caracol – Youth Community Development; Education, training and Employment for the Youth-Oriented Sector in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone

· Just US Inc. Job; Creation For AT Risk Neighborhoods in Belize

· Love Foundation; Summer Arts Academy & After School Program

· National Kriol Council; Bridging The Gap to Safer Communities through Education

· PathLight International; Youth Education and Leadership Training - Cayo District

· YWCA International; Creating A Safe Space Agenda: To increase and maintain productivity of girls and youths.

The awarded funds to these organizations are between $100,000 to $400,000.

38. When two organizations are partnering and the Belizean organization does majority of the work/implementation, which one should be listed as the organization in lead?

Only one primary organization applicant can qualify as the recipient. The best mechanism to the partnering organization might be through a sub-grant depending on the activity.

39. If we plan to partner with local Belizean organizations with the programs and our proposed partner is also exploring submission for the same grant call. Will any of us be at a disadvantage?

Embassy Belmopan invites all who are interested and meet the criteria listed in the NOFO to apply. To ensure that proposals are targeted and focused on the given objective(s) in the NOFO, the Embassy encourages the submission of only one proposal per organization. However, if the organization believes that it has the capacity to address multiple objectives in the NOFO by being involved in 2 different projects, it may submit its own proposal and partner with other institutions on another proposal.

40. Can there be a joint proposal from the NGOs?

No, one organization must submit the application. This organization would serve as the prime recipient of a grant award should its proposal be recommended for funding. A proposal may include work to be done by other organizations through sub-grants or sub-contracts.

41. When two organizations are partnering and the Belizean organization does majority of the work/implementation, who gets the award?

Only one primary organization that submitted as applicant can qualify as the recipient. The best mechanism to the partnering organization might be through a sub-grant depending on the activities proposed.

42. Do you have a preference for U.S based organization to be listed as the lead organization?

No, we do not have a preference for American organizations.

43. What percent of the target population is currently participating in programs like those outlined in this grant?

We do not have a definite answer for this question. We hence asked every grantee’s assistance in providing us with statistics in quarterly reports and established continuous communication with the Embassy on their project progress and target results.

44. What is the start date of the grant?

Oct 1st, 2015 will the starting date of your proposed program.

45. For the proposed programs, should the proposers pay for some part of the expense?

We do not have a cost share requirement nor do we encourage it, but certainly it is allowable.

46. Will grant funding be issued in entirety or parts?

The funds are typically issued in parts (i.e., multiple tranches).

47. Is Accountability primarily dependent on auditing?

Apart from the audit, grants are monitored as well via quarterly reports, vouchers and site visits, etc.

48. Can funds be reprogrammed according to the goals after award?

Yes, amendments of the programs are allowable. However, this needs to be communicated to the Embassy and approved by the Grant Officer.

49. If a grant project is successful, is there a process for reapplying for additional funding?

Yes, it is possible, but it subjects to availability of funding. Each application should be submitted with the understanding that there may not be future funding for the project. However, past or current grantees can submit application to new NOFO to expand on successful past initiatives.

50. Will organizations be reimbursed for activities already implemented before the grant award?

Reimbursements are only for the activities and specific purposes agreed on in the award. Reimbursements are made when the grantee has used its fund to implement proposed activities of the award.

51. How is a “gang” defined for this call for proposals?

A group of persons associated for some criminal or other antisocial purpose.

52. How is a “narco-trafficker” defined for this call for proposals?

People who buy, sell, and traffic illegal drugs.