Preparing Successful Federal Grant Applications

1. Preparing Successful Federal Grant Applications P. Gregory SmithUSDA / NIFA Higher Education Programs(202) 720-1973 gsmith@NIFA.usda.gov www.NIFA.usda.gov

2. Finding Federal Grants Non-Competitive (Congressional Earmarks) • If you have to ask… you’re not eligible! Mandatory(Formula, Block or Entitlement grants) • $$ Amount & Eligibility determined by law Discretionary(Competitive or Project Grants) • Broad Eligibility, but also… • Large applicant pool • Usually peer reviewed • Evaluation based on criteria & merit • $$ Amount & Eligibility determined by Federal Agency administering grant

3. Discretionary Awards Process

4. Federal Funding Sources Grants.gov • Find competitive grant opportunities • Search $$ sources by Agency or Discipline • Submit application electronically to any Federal grant-making agency • Electronic submission requires: • Data Universal Number System (DUNS) • Central Contractor Registry (CCR) • http://www.grants.gov/GetStarted CFDA.gov • Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance • Locate all sources of grants, loans, insurance, used property…etc.,

5. Application Development • Develop / Focus your project: • Priority & Educational Strategy • Logic Model: (inputs, products, impacts) • Lay out a Plan of Work • Provide timelines & resources needed • List responsibilities of all personnel • Construct budget; provide narrative • Evaluation/Outcomes • Distinguish between what you purchase and anticipated educational impacts (i.e., between new equipment vs. new knowledge)

6. Proposal Attributes Demonstrate Innovation • Teaching strategies truly new to your discipline or location; Do your homework! • Reduce duplication; Maximize resources; Increase collaboration Make it Compelling! • …Do we really need another course on the Internet? • Address USDA Strategic Priorities • Non-traditional partnerships • Impact large # of students Gain Experience • Volunteer to serve on a Peer Panel • Study successful projects & proposals

7. Rejected Applications Failure to follow grant guidelines (Read) Emphasize too much; accomplish too little (Focus project on measurable impacts) Undocumented Need (Outside support) Weak Partnerships (Document by letters & include resources ) Evaluation/Impact (highlight anticipated educational or societal benefits rather than your purchases (i.e., new knowledge vs. new equipment)

8. Secondary, 2-Yr. Postsecondary & AG in K-12 Classroom Education ChallengeCFDA: 10.226 Innovative Teaching Enhancements • Curriculum & faculty development…etc. • Improve how faculty deliver academic instruction • Emphasis on encouraging students to transfer to higher education institutions and complete advanced degrees Award Range: $35,000 - $50,000 % Funded: 53% Applications Due: January 15, 2010 NPL: P. Gregory Smith

9. Secondary, 2-Yr. Postsecondary & AG in K-12 Classroom Education Challenge CFDA: 10.226 • Regular – up to 35,000 (applicant only) • Joint – up to $ 50,000 (applicant + 1 or more partners) Applicant retains at least 30%, but no more than 70%; Partners get no less than 10% Matching funds required: • $ for $ (cash and /or ‘in-kind’ services…) • Must be from a non-Federal source • Only items similar to what grant would fund Funding: approximately $1 million*; http://www.NIFA.usda.gov/fo/educationchallengesecondaryhep.cfm

10. Application Resources General Application Q&A Information: • http://www.NIFA.usda.gov/home/faq_apply.html RFA for SPECA grant program • http://www.NIFA.usda.gov/fo/educationchallengesecondaryhep.cfm Electronic Application Submission Guidelines: • http://www.NIFA.usda.gov/funding/pdfs/application_checklist.pdf Sample Application Package: • http://www.NIFA.usda.gov/funding/pdfs/sampe_adobe_forms_package.pdf