Questions and Answers_USDA-NRCS-NHQ-SOIL-19-GEN0010134.pdf

Questions and Answers on USDA-NRCS-NHQ-SOIL-19-GEN0010134

USDA-NRCS Notification of Funding Opportunity

A questions-and-answers document addressing all questions will be posted to the Related Documents tab of this announcement in Grants.gov as a modification by May 20, 2019.

Contents

1. Formatting

2. Collaboration

3. Personnel Costs

4. Multiple Proposals

5. Selecting a Priority Research Area

1. Formatting

What is the total page length for the narrative?

There is no maximum length except where specifically stated. Please keep the whole proposal reasonable in length for the review team to get through with their full attention.

Is there a required font size, margin width, word count limitation or line spacing?

Not unless specifically mentioned in the Notice. Please keep your proposal concise and well organized for the benefit of the review team.

2. Collaboration

Will collaboration from USDA-ARS or other USDA entities be helpful?

All collaboration in science is good! But collaboration outside your university is not a requirement. Please though, cite any collaborative work that you feel will help illustrate your ability to complete your proposal.

Is it allowable to subaward out to a non-university partner?

Yes, if the Principal Investigator is affiliated with a school in the CESU network.

3. Eligibility

Can Federal agencies apply for funding through this Notification?

No. See section 4.1 Eligible Applicants.

4. Personnel Costs

Is there a limit on personnel salaries?

Only through the total amount of the proposal which should be within the stated “Approximate funding level” for each priority area. Salaries must be allowable and reasonable as under 2CFR 200.430.

What are the allowable and non-allowable personnel costs?

There is no set definition for those in this Notification, however we are guided by 2CFR 200.430. All proposals will be evaluated as to how funds will be allocated to personnel costs, overhead, equipment, travel and any other proposed fund categories.

5. Multiple Proposals

My read of Section 1.1.8 suggests that I could serve as a PI on multiple proposals for this opportunity submitted to different priority research areas. Is that a correct interpretation?

I have a PI interested in submitting more than one application, is that allowable?

Yes, the same PI may submit multiple proposals, in separate documents, for any research priority area of the Notification where they would be named as Principal Investigator.

6. Selecting a Priority Research Area

(An example of current university research was given …) I think this work fits well with NCSS’s mission, but I have not found a clear research priority in the RFP to submit this idea.

Could you provide some guidance on what would be the most appropriate research priority to target?

No, based on our contracting regulations on giving fair and equitable treatment to all applicants, I am unable to give guidance as to which research priority area to apply under. Individuals need to determine this on their own.