Transformation Initiative: Choice Neighborhoods Demonstration Small Research Grant Program

The purpose of this effort is to develop and implement small scale research projects that build upon the larger Choice Neighborhood Demonstration research project. The goal of this research program is to fund research related to Choice Neighborhoods that complements the work already being funded by HUD through the Choice baseline research project (C-CHI-01127/TO001). Since the Choice baseline research project will focus on implementation grants in Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans, applicants are encouraged to identify research projects in other Choice Neighborhood implementation or planning grant sites. Research projects in Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans will be eligible but the applicant must demonstrate how the proposed research would complement research already planned through the Choice baseline research project.

Since one purpose of this NOFA is to broaden the community of researchers working on Choice Neighborhoods, HUD will not directly fund entities or individuals already involved in HUD-funded Choice Neighborhoods research under Task Order C-CHI-01127/TO001.

The goal of this research program is to fund research related to Choice Neighborhoods that complements the work already being funded by HUD through the Choice baseline research project (C-CHI-01127/TO001). Since the Choice baseline research project will focus on implementation grants in Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans, applicants are encouraged to identify research projects in other Choice Neighborhood implementation or planning grant sites. Research projects in Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans will be eligible but the applicant must demonstrate how the proposed research would complement research already planned through the Choice baseline research project. 4 There are some substantial challenges in evaluating a program like Choice Neighborhoods. First, it is difficult to establish a convincing counterfactual of what would have happened to the neighborhood and its residents in the absence of the Choice Neighborhoods intervention. Second, because Choice Neighborhoods combines a variety of services and investments-related to housing, education, public safety, job training, etc.-it is difficult to explain why a particular approach does or doesn't work. Third, neighborhoods are dynamic-the people and businesses that participate in, or rely upon, a neighborhood are constantly changing. The Choice Neighborhoods investment may have benefits that accrue to individuals, businesses, or other entities not captured in the Choice baseline research project, which focuses on the neighborhood and the individuals living there at baseline. Applicants are encouraged to identify research that will overcome these challenges and provide clear evidence of the impact of Choice Neighborhoods. HUD is using this NOFA rather than a contract (or task order under the existing BPA) for two reasons: 1. To solicit research ideas that are related to Choice Neighborhoods, but that are not already apparent to HUD, and 2. To broaden the community of researchers working on Choice Neighborhoods. Proposals should identify research questions that will help to demonstrate the impacts of Choice Neighborhoods or to help improve the program.

Eligible costs include, but are not limited to, the researcher's salary; assistants to work on the project; protected release time for researchers who demonstrate the need for a period of intensive research; computer software; purchase of data; transcription services, and compensation for interviews.

The maximum grant performance period is for 36 months (3 years).

HUD will use the narrative response to the ―Rating Factors to evaluate, rate, and rank full applications. The narrative statement is the main source of information when rating and ranking applications. Therefore, it is very important that the researcher becomes fully familiar with the rating factors for the program.

Applications will be rated, ranked and awards will be made to the highest rated applications. HUD reserves the right to reduce the amount of funding requested in order to fund as many highly ranked applications as possible. Additionally, if funds remain after funding the highest ranked applications, HUD may fund part of the next highest-ranking application. If an applicant turns down the award offer, HUD will make an offer to the next highest-ranking application.

HUD does not intend to fund research that would be duplicative of work being funded through the Choice baseline research project, so applicants are advised to review HUD's RFQ R-CHI-01091, published on February 22, 2011. Specifically, see Section G - Attachment 1 - Initial Task Order. This is available by email from Paul.A.Joice@hud.gov.