(Washington D.C.) - The Corporation for National and Community Service has announced the availability of $2.9 million in funding to support AmeriCorps Professional Corps programs that engage professionals to provide health, public safety, homeland security, education, and other human services in needy communities.

AmeriCorps Professional Corps programs operate where insufficient numbers of qualified professionals exist to serve a critical need, and engage AmeriCorps members in service to address that need. The Corporation anticipates making 30 to 60 grants, ranging from $30,000 to $100,000. Programs may request an amount of funding outside of this proposed range. These grants will support programs addressing critical community needs through the service of professionals, such as nurses, doctors, emergency medical technicians, and other health care providers, teachers, social workers, early childhood development staff, engineers, lawyers, paralegals, police officers and firefighters in communities with inadequate numbers of such professionals.

"Across America, professional corps organizations bring thousands of teachers, health workers, police officers, and other vital professionals to communities that face growing demands for them," said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. "By teaming up with AmeriCorps, we can encourage more professionals to serve and make their services available in more communities."

While the Corporation has funded professional corps organizations through its other AmeriCorps grant programs in the past, this is the first-ever competition solely dedicated to professional corps. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, Indian tribes, and subdivisions of states, including city and local government entities. Programs must operate in two or more states. Public or private nonprofit employers must sponsor AmeriCorps members and agree to pay 100 percent of AmeriCorps members’ salaries and benefits. The Corporation will consider requests for grants of up to $1,000 per full-time equivalent AmeriCorps member for program and administration costs, and will provide an AmeriCorps education award of $4,725 for members who successfully complete their full term of service. The Corporation will make awards covering a period not to exceed three years, with continued funding contingent upon satisfactory performance, the availability of funds, and other criteria established in the award agreement.

The deadline for this competition is August 17. Nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and community-based organizations that have not applied for federal assistance from the Corporation in the past, are encouraged to apply. The Corporation requires applicants to apply through its online eGrants system, which is at www.cns.gov/egrants. However, if for a legitimate reason an applicant must submit a paper application, it must be received by 5 p.m., August 17.

The Corporation expects to announce its selections by September 30. For further information, contact the AmeriCorps Professional Corps hotline at (202) 606-5000, ext. 130, or professionalcorps@cns.gov. The TTY number is (202) 565-2799. Upon request, this information will be made available in alternate formats for people with disabilities. Further information about this funding opportunity is available at www.nationalservice.org/whatshot/notices.html.

The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through three programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of citizenship, service, and responsibility in America. For more information, visit www.nationalservice.org.

###