Learn and Serve America Higher Education FY 2009

End Date: 3/26/2009
CFDA # 94.005

Subject to the availability of appropriations for fiscal year 2009, the Corporation for National and Community Service (the Corporation) announces the anticipated availability of approximately $9.27 million to support higher education service-learning and community service programs that address community needs through local service projects. These funds will be awarded to both individual institutions and consortia.An estimated six to eight individual institution applicants will receive awards ranging from approximately $85,000 to $195,000 annually for a project period of up to three years.An estimated seven to nine consortia applicants will receive awards ranging from approximately $200,000 to $500,000 annually for a project period of up to three years.

The Corporation’s mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. The purpose of Learn and Serve America Higher Education grants is to expand participation in community service and service-learning programs in colleges and universities serving as civic institutions to meet the human, educational, environmental or public safety needs of their local communities.

America’s communities are being drastically affected by the economic downturn. Institutions of higher education are an important part of their local communities, with many resources, including students, faculty, and staff, research and expertise. Effective partnerships with other local organizations can help communities come together to provide needed services and build capacity in the nonprofit sector. Learn and Serve America encourages applicants to propose programs that will leverage these resources to assist in economic recovery through service and service-learning.

Key agency priorities for the 2009 Higher Education grant competition include:

• Creating and/or expanding initiatives engaging campuses and the communities they serve. Activities should focus on assisting with economic recovery and strengthening the vitality of the nonprofit and social service sectors
      
• Promoting student leadership through program models incorporating student-initiated and student-led service and service-learning activities addressing critical social needs, particularly those resulting from the economic downturn.

For more information about Learn and Serve America grant competitions, please visit Learn and Serve America’s National Service Learning Clearinghouse.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Last updated: 01/09/09
This document will be updated as questions are added.

Questions specific to the 2009 Higher Education competition

1. Who are the eligible applicants for this initiative?
   As stated in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, consortia of institutions of higher education and partnerships which are defined as one or more public or private nonprofit organizations, or public agencies, including States, and one or more institutions of higher education.
       
2. What do you mean by the NOFO priority on economic recovery?
   The 2009 competition will fund programs that address community needs resulting from the economic downturn. These needs may have been pre-existing and have worsened by recent events or they may be brand new challenges. Community input should be used to identify the pressing needs and if/how they can be met by student service or service-learning programming. A logic model process may be helpful in planning a program that meets the identified need(s). We recommend the Kellogg Foundation guide for more information on how to use logic models.
       
3. Does the priority focus on economic recovery mean that all my program activities (or all my consortium activities) need to be the same?
   No, your program activities do not need to be the same or narrowly focused. If, for example, your input from community members indicates the most pressing community challenge is joblessness, you may determine that you can design a service-learning or community service program that will address both joblessness and the impact of joblessness through multiple activities. Older students might partner with the career services center to put on community resume writing workshops. A computer science service-learning course might partner with a local community center to teach workforce computer skills. An economics or business department might partner with a local chamber of commerce or business development organization to assist with research and strategy through service-learning capstone courses or internships. You may also find that your community has multiple pressing needs in which case your program may develop different activities that meet each one individually.
       
4. Can I propose a service-learning program that lets faculty decide what need they want to address and how through their service-learning courses?
   You can, but you will want to make explicitly clear how faculty will use community input and provide opportunities for student developed projects in their service-learning courses. A program that solely provides faculty training without an identified community focus or outcome will likely be less competitive as it does not align with the NOFO priority.
       
5. My proposed program will be national in scope. Do I need to address the multiple needs that will be addressed in each community by my affiliates in the narrative section?
   If you are proposing a national program, you may describe the needs and activities on a national scale.

General Higher Education program questions

1. I’m filling out the eGrants application and I don’t know my State Application Identifier. What should I put in this section?
   Please enter N/A for this section.
       
2. Where can we find information on what LSA has funded?
   You can access information on LSA programs by visiting the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse. You can view grantees funded in the past, but understand that they wrote to different guidelines. Past LSA grantees are included in the program directory.
       
3. Can attachments or hyperlinks be included with an application?
   No. If this information is important, a summary should be included in the proposal.
       
4. Do we need citations with the application?
   We cannot accept footnotes or attachments. If you want to cite a specific study, write this into the narrative.
       
5. Will we be notified by LSA whether we are funded or not?
   Successful applicants will be notified. Applicants that are not funded will also be notified and may request additional information regarding their application by making a written request to Learn and Serve America.
       
6. Who will score the Learn and Serve America applications? Will each application be read by more than one person?
   Applications will be read by more than one reviewer. Applications are selected through an extensive process that will include staff review and approval from the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer. Panels of peer reviewers are also used. Avoid using abbreviations or language that may not be familiar to outside reviewers. During the Learn and Serve America staff review, we determine the relative quality among applications but also consider statutory funding requirements and preferences addressed in the guidelines.
       
7. If we have higher education questions as we move through this application process, whom do we contact?
   You can call or email Learn and Serve America at 202-606-7510 or lsahighered@cns.gov. For more information, you can visit the 2009 Learn and Serve America Grant Competition website:
   http://www.servicelearning.org/lsa/lsa_page/2009_nofos/index.php
       
8. Where can I find the application materials?
   The Notice of Funding Opportunity and the Application Instructions are available at:
   www.learnandserve.gov/for_organizations/funding/index.asp

Budget FAQ

1. What criteria should be used when developing a budget?
   Cost effectiveness and how the budget supports your proposal should be the basis for budget development.
       
2. What is the required match?
   This requirement varies depending on the type of LSA grant. Higher education applicants must match with cash or in-kind contributions at least 50% of the project's total costs (dollar for dollar).
       
3. Could you define in-kind match support?
   In-kind match support is defined as the value of a non-cash contribution to the program. Examples would be equipment, supplies, staff time and benefits and the value of goods and services directly benefiting the program.
       
4. Could you delineate how we can leverage other funding?
   LSA requires matching funds to make sure that your program generates broad community support. Applicants should work with their organizations as well as their community partners to make plans to support budget items necessary to continue a high-quality program. When a program achieves success, others (i.e. foundations, community members) recognize the program’s value. This recognition could lead to additional financial or human resource support.
       
5. Where can I find information related to the use of administrative costs?
   See the Application Instructions for guidance. The instructions are found on the LSA website:
   www.learnandserve.gov/for_organizations/funding/index.asp
       
6. May we use other Corporation program funds to match LSA programs?
   No. You cannot use Corporation funds (LSA, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps) to match LSA programs. However, you may be able to use other federal funds as a match. It is highly advisable that you check with the other federal agency to see if it is allowable.
       
7. We would like to include as part of our Learn and Serve America application a partnership with AmeriCorps. Is this allowed?
   Yes, but you cannot use Corporation dollars from one program to match dollars in another program. However, LSA funds may be used to provide for the supervision and training of national service participants engaged in the program. Learn and Serve America encourages applicants to collaborate with other Corporation programs since it improves their ability to meet program goals. If you are applying for grants from a variety of programs, you cannot make the success of your program dependent upon receiving a grant through another competition.
       
8. What portion of a person’s salary may be used for the program?
   Only the portion that supports the Learn and Serve America program.
       
9. How do we know if our institution has an indirect cost rate?
   A cognizant agency can provide this information. The Department of Education or Health and Human Services are typically cognizant agencies that could provide this information. You can also check with the office in your organization that processes grants or other outside funding.
       
10. Our institution's indirect cost rate should be approved after the LSA higher education application is due. What can we do?
    You can submit the provisional cost rate with your application.
        
11. If we plan to purchase two computers at the cost of $5,000 each, would this be an equipment cost?
    Yes. If the acquisition cost is $5,000 or more per unit, it is considered equipment. If it is less than $5,000 per unit, it is considered supplies. Purchases of equipment are limited to 10 percent of the total LSA share.
        
12. What percentage of funding should go to subgrantees? How many subgrants should be funded?
    There is no required percentage and no required number of subgrants per grant. Your program design should describe your subgranting strategy and how it will support your proposed program.
        
13. Are there any recommended percentages for each budget line item?
    No, other than those limitations shown on the budget form page (for example, the 10 percent limit on equipment costs). The budget should clearly support the program design. It should give application reviewers enough information so they can determine whether costs are reasonable, allowable, and necessary to support program goals.
        
14. If an applicant plans to subgrant, could they require subgrantees to provide a dollar-for-dollar match?
    The grantee is responsible for the full matching share of the grant but may choose to pass along some or all of that requirement to the subgrantees.
        
15. Can you clarify the calculation of match under the administrative/indirect cost section of the budget form page?
    Higher education applicants are required to match Corporation funds dollar-for-dollar (50% of the total program budget). Detailed information can be found in the Budget Instructions section of the Application Instructions (www.learnandserve.gov/for_organizations/funding/index.asp).The applicant may choose one of two methods to calculate the administrative/indirect cost section. Corporation Fixed Percentage Method, or Federally Approved Indirect Cost (IDC) Rate Method. With method 2, whether or not you use the entire IDC rate to calculate administrative costs is up to you.

eGrants

1. Where can I find help with eGrants?
   If encounter a problem using the eGrants system, you may call the eGrants help desk at 1-888-677-7849. The help desk is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. Or, you may contact the eGrants help desk email (eGrantshelp@cns.gov).
       
2. Who can create an eGrants account for an organization?
   Work within your organization to find out who is best to set up an eGrants account. Once the account is set up, the organization may permit others to create user accounts connected to that organization account. A Grantee Administrator (a user role in eGrants, not a specific person within your organization) controls who can access the organization account.
       
3. What is the character limit for a LSA application narrative?
   Separate character limits are given for each section in the Application Instructions: http://www.learnandserve.gov/for_organizations/funding/index.asp
   Please adhere to the listed character limits in the application instructions.
       
4. Can you periodically save what you enter in the eGrants system and return at another time to add information or complete the application?
   Yes. Though eGrants will prompt you to save when you exit a screen, we encourage you to save often as you work on your application. We suggest that applicants type information in a word processing document and, when complete and accurate, paste this information into the application.

Evaluation

1. What resources are available to help me develop and track performance measures?
   There are resources available to help grantees develop performance measures available through Learn and Serve America’s National Service-Learning Clearinghouse: NSLC resources. In addition, publications from the United Way of America and the Kellogg Foundation provide an overview of outcome-based evaluation, including an introduction to performance measurement, steps for measuring program outcomes, examples of outcomes and outcome indicators for various programs, and the resources needed for measuring outcomes.
       
2. Where can I get help in developing an independent evaluation?
   Please visit Learn and Serve America’s National Service-Learning Clearinghouse for evaluation resources. The Corporation also encourages programs to partner with organizations and individuals in your local area who can provide evaluation assistance. For example, many programs have successfully partnered with local higher education institutions that are routinely engaged in evaluating the effectiveness of programs.
       
3. How can I pay for an independent evaluation?
   Programs may request funds for evaluation in their application.
       
4. How should I go about accessing local resources, such as evaluation professionals at colleges and universities?
   Local resources can be helpful for program applicants in responding to the performance measurement section of the application. Suggested institutions to contact for assistance include universities/colleges, research firms, or other community organizations that may be using a local resource for their performance measurement/evaluation.
       
5. Is there a preference for external rather than internal evaluations?
   There is no requirement. Your strategy depends on the proposed program design, the organization and its capacity. Some internal evaluations can be very useful tools for improving programs. Be sure the evaluation relates to the program and shows how the program will use evaluation findings to improve.
       
6. How important is it that evaluations on past Corporation funded programs be mentioned?
   All Learn and Serve America grantees are required to submit grant-supported materials, including program evaluations, to the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse. In your application narrative under Organizational Capacity you should mention highlights of the evaluation as appropriate.
       
7. If a community partner has completed an assessment, can this be mentioned?
   Yes, as long as it is relevant to your application.

Funding

1. Can you break down the number of new versus the number of experienced grant programs to be funded?
   No. We expect to fund a mix of programs based upon quality.
       
2. If we have previously received LSA funding, will our application be reviewed differently?
   All applications will be evaluated using the criteria set out in the NOFO.

Technical Assistance Information:

Call Date:

January 15, 2009

Call Time:

2:00 PM Eastern TIme

Duration:

1 hour, 30 minutes

Participant Passcode:

58419

For security reasons, the passcode will be required to join the call.

Dial-In Number:

Toll Free: 1-888-831-6081

Restrictions may exist when accessing freephone/toll free numbers using a mobile telephone.

Instant Replay Information:

Replays are generally available one hour after a call ends.

End Date: 2/16/2010 at 10:59 PM (CT)
Toll Free: 1-866-357-4204
Passcode: 56333

Call Date:

February 11, 2009

Call Time:

2:00 PM Eastern TIme

Participant Passcode:

HIGHER ED

For security reasons, the passcode will be required to join the call.

Dial-In Number:

Toll Free: 1-888-790-1922

Restrictions may exist when accessing freephone/toll free numbers using a mobile telephone.

Instant Replay Information:

Replays are generally available one hour after a call ends.

End Date:3/11/2009 at 11:59 PM (CT)
Toll Free: 1-866-457-6655
Passcode: 2265

Call Date:

March 5, 2009

Call Time:

2:00 PM Eastern TIme

Participant Passcode:

HIGHER ED

For security reasons, the passcode will be required to join the call.

Dial-In Number:

Toll Free: 1-888-790-1922

Restrictions may exist when accessing freephone/toll free numbers using a mobile telephone.

Instant Replay Information:

Replays are generally available one hour after a call ends.

End Date: 4/5/2009 at 11:59 PM (CT)
Toll Free: 1-866-501-2955
Passcode: 1557