Date posted: January 12, 2009
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 45.149
Questions?
Program questions should be directed to NEH's Division of Preservation and Access at 202-606-8570 or preservation@neh.gov. Hearing-impaired applicants can contact NEH via TDD at 1-866-372-2930.
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in the United States, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), acting through the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) in the United Kingdom, are working together to offer support for digitization projects in the humanities. These grants provide funding for up to eighteen months of development in any of the following areas: new digitization projects and pilot projects, the addition of important materials to existing digitization projects, or the development of infrastructure (either technical “middleware,” tools, or knowledge-sharing) to support digitization work in the United States, England, and Wales.
Collaboration between U.S. and English or Welsh institutions is
a key requirement for this grant category, based in
part on the recommendations for international
collaboration in Professor Sir Gareth Roberts’s “International Partnerships of Research Excellence U.K.-U.S.A Academic Collaboration” (25-page PDF) and the
report (51-page PDF) of the American Council for Learned Societies’ Commission
on Cyberinfrastructure for the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Each application must be sponsored by both an eligible institution in the United States and an eligible English or Welsh institution (see Section III, “Eligibility,” below), and there must be a project director from each institution. The partners will collaborate to write a single application package, which the U.S. partner will submit to NEH (via Grants.gov) and the English or Welsh partner will submit to JISC (via e-mail). All potential applicants should note that while JISC and NEH each host a version of the guidelines on their respective Web sites, the requirements for the application package as outlined in Section IV, “Application and Submission Information,” are identical. However, each set of guidelines does contain some variations in grant administration procedures to be followed by successful applicants, reflecting the local administrative and organizational requirements of the United States and England or Wales.
Applications should explain the need for the partnership between the U.S. institution and the English or Welsh institution and provide workable solutions to some of the issues of managing and developing transatlantic collections. Activities supported may include
Successful applicants will be expected to create a white paper as one of their work products. This white paper should document the project, including lessons learned, so that others can benefit from their experience.
JISC/NEH Transatlantic Digitization Collaboration Grants may not be used for
Providing Access to Grant Products
Both NEH (as a taxpayer-supported federal agency) and JISC endeavor to make the products of their grants available to the broadest possible audience. Our goal is for scholars, educators, students, and the public in the United States, England, and Wales to have ready and easy access to the wide range of NEH and JISC grant products. For projects that lead to the development of Web sites, all other considerations being equal, NEH and JISC give preference to those that provide free and open access to the public. Detailed guidance on access and dissemination matters can be found in the Dissemination section below.
Awards range from $200,000 to $300,000 (approximately £135,000 to £200,000) for a period of eighteen months, which may begin in August 2009 and may not extend beyond March 2011. The total amount requested from both agencies together should not exceed the $300,000 limit (approximately £200,000). A representative institution from each country will receive the appropriate portion of its funding from the appropriate country's funding agency (NEH in the United States; JISC in England and Wales). Any difference in funding requests from the funding agencies should not vary by an amount greater than 20 percent (see Budget, below, for more information). Projects should include a project director and institutional affiliation from each country, so that funds may be distributed according to respective national laws and guidelines. Successful applicants to NEH will be awarded a grant in outright funds or federal matching funds, depending on the applicant's preference and the availability of NEH funds.
Cost Sharing
Although cost sharing is not required, NEH is rarely able to support the full costs of projects approved for funding. In most cases, NEH grants cover no more than 50-60 percent of project costs. Cost sharing (also known as “institutional contribution” in the United Kingdom) consists of the cash contributions made to the project by the applicant and third parties, as well as third party in-kind contributions, such as donated services and goods.
(Learn more about different types of grant funding.)
Applications must be submitted to both NEH and JISC. Applications sent to only one agency will not be considered for review. See “How to Submit Your Application” for instructions on submitting to each granting agency.
Ineligible applications will not be reviewed.
U.S. Partner Eligibility
Any U.S. nonprofit organization is eligible, as are state and local governmental agencies and tribal governments. Grants are not awarded to individuals.
NEH generally does not award grants to other federal entities or to applicants whose projects are so closely intertwined with a federal entity that the project takes on characteristics of the federal entity's own authorized activities. This does not preclude applicants from using grant funds from, or sites and materials controlled by, other federal entities in their projects.
English and Welsh Partner Eligibility
Proposals may be submitted by Higher Education (HE) institutions funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) or the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW). Further Education (FE) institutions in England that teach HE to more than 400 full-time equivalents (FTEs) are also eligible to bid, provided proposals demonstrate work that supports the HE in FE agenda. FE and HE institutions in Northern Ireland and Scotland are not eligible to bid but may be involved as partners in proposals led by institutions funded by HEFCE or HEFCW or FE institutions which meet the criteria outlined above. Funds can only be allocated through the lead partner.
HOW TO PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION
Application advice:
Prior to submitting a proposal, applicants are encouraged to contact program officers who can offer advice about preparing the proposal. These comments are not part of the formal review process and have no bearing on the final outcome of the proposal, but applicants have found them helpful in strengthening their applications.
You will submit your single application to two funding agencies. Co-applicants should collaborate in order to create this single application package. The application materials should be exactly the same in each copy submitted to both NEH and JISC, with the following exception: Applications submitted to NEH through Grants.gov should list a primary Project Director affiliated with a U.S.-based institution; applications submitted to JISC via email in PDF format should list a primary Project Director affiliated with an English or Welsh institution.
You will prepare your application for submission via Grants.gov just as you would a paper application. Your application should consist of the following parts:
Register or Verify Registration with Grants.gov
Applications for this program must be submitted via Grants.gov. Before using Grants.gov for the first time, each organization must register with the Web site to create an institutional profile. Once registered, your organization can then apply for any government grant on the Grants.gov Web site.
If your organization has already registered and you have verified that your registration
is still valid, you may skip this step. If not, please see our
handy checklist
to guide you through the registration process. We strongly recommend that you complete or verify your registration at least two weeks before the application deadline, as it takes time for your registration to be processed. If you have problems registering with Grants.gov, call the Grants.gov help desk at 1-800-518-4726.
Download the Free Adobe Reader software
To fill out a Grants.gov application package, you will need to download and install the current version of Adobe Reader. The latest version of Adobe Reader, which is designed to function with PCs and Macintosh computers using a variety of popular operating systems, is available at no charge from the Adobe Web site (www.adobe.com).
Once installed, the current version of Adobe Reader will allow you to view and fill out Grants.gov application packages for any federal agency. If you have a problem installing Adobe Reader, it may be because you do not have permission to install a new program on your computer. Many organizations have rules about installing new programs. If you encounter a problem, contact your system administrator.
You can save your application package at any time by clicking the “Save” button at the top of your screen.
Tip: If you choose to save your application package before you have completed it, you may receive
an error message indicating that your application is not valid if all of the forms have not been completed.
Click “OK” to save your work and complete the package another time. You can also use e-mail to share the
application package with members of your organization or project team.
The application package contains three forms that you must complete in order to submit your application:
HOW TO FILL OUT THE
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE SF-424 SHORT FORM
Select the form from the menu and double click to open it. Please provide the following information:
HOW TO FILL OUT THE SUPPLEMENTARY COVER SHEET FOR NEH GRANT PROGRAMS
Select the form from the menu and double click to open it. Please provide the following information:
HOW TO USE THE NEH
ATTACHMENT FORM
You will use this form to attach the various files that make up your application.
Your attachments must be in Portable Document Format (.pdf). We cannot accept attachments in their
original word processing or spreadsheet formats. If you don’t already have software to convert your
files into PDFs, there are many low-cost and free software packages available. To learn
more, go to http://www.neh.gov/grants/grantsgov/pdf.html.
When you open the NEH Attachment Form, you will find fifteen attachment buttons, labeled “Attachment 1” through “Attachment 15.” By clicking on a button, you will be able to choose the file from your computer that you wish to attach. You must name and attach your files in the proper order so that we can identify them. Please attach the proper file to the proper button as listed below:
ATTACHMENT 1: To this button, please attach your description of the project and its significance. Please name the file “projectdescription.pdf”.
ATTACHMENT 2: To this button, please attach your table of contents. Please name the file “contents.pdf”.
ATTACHMENT 3: To this button, please attach your narrative. Please name the file “narrative.pdf”.
ATTACHMENT 4: To this button, please attach your history of grants. Please name the file “granthistory.pdf”.
ATTACHMENT 5: To this button, please attach your list of project consultants and advisory board members. Please name the file “consultants.pdf”.
ATTACHMENT 6: To this button, please attach your NEH budget. Please name the file “NEHbudget.pdf”.
ATTACHMENT 7: To this button, please attach your JISC budget. Please name the file “JISCbudget.pdf”.
ATTACHMENT 8: To this button, please attach your appendices Please name the file “appendices.pdf”.
Use the remaining buttons to attach any additional materials (if appropriate). Please give these
attachments meaningful file names and ensure that they are PDFs.
UPLOADING YOUR APPLICATION
TO GRANTS.GOV
When you have completed all three forms, use the right-facing arrow to move each of them to the
“Mandatory Documents for Submission” column. Once they have been moved over, the “Submit” button will
activate. You are now ready to upload your application package to Grants.gov.
During the registration process, your institution designated one or more AORs (Authorized Organization
Representatives). These AORs typically work in your institution’s Sponsored Research Office or Grants Office.
When you have completed your application, you must ask your AOR to submit the application, using the special
username and password that was assigned to him or her during the registration process.
To submit your application, your computer must have an active connection to the Internet. To begin the
submission process, click the “submit” button. A page will appear, asking you to sign and submit your
application. At this point, your AOR will enter his or her username and password. When you click the
“sign and submit application” button, your application package will be uploaded to Grants.gov. Please note
that it may take some time to upload your application package, depending on the size of your files and
the speed of your Internet connection.
After the upload is complete, a confirmation page, which includes a tracking number, will appear, indicating
that you have submitted your application to Grants.gov. Please print this page for your records. The AOR will
also receive a confirmation e-mail.
NEH suggests that you submit your application no later than 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Time on the day of the deadline. That way, should you encounter
a technical problem of some kind, you will still have time to contact
the Grants.gov help desk for support. The Grants.gov help desk is open
Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-800-518-4726.
You can also send an e-mail to support@grants.gov.
To assist applicants, Grants.gov provides a helpful troubleshooting page.
Deadlines
Applications must be received by Grants.gov on or before March 26, 2009. Grants.gov will date- and time-stamp your application after it is fully uploaded. Applications submitted after that date will not be accepted.
HOW TO SUBMIT A COPY OF YOUR APPLICATION TO JISC
The deadline for receipt of proposals in response to this call is 12 noon, March 26, 2009. Late proposals will NOT be accepted.
An electronic copy of the proposal should be sent in PDF format by this deadline to
JISC-NEH-BIDS@jisc.ac.uk.
This is an electronic-only submission process, therefore all documentation (including letters of support) must
be submitted in PDF format. Proposals and all supporting documentation must be sent in one file or in a zipped
folder. The subject line of the email should contain the name of the lead partner only (e.g., ‘institution/organisation name’).
Bidders will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt of proposals sent to the above email address. This email
address should not be used for general enquiries.
If no automatic confirmation is received, it is the responsibility of the bidder to contact the JISC within one day of submitting the bid to confirm whether the proposal has been received. If you do not receive an automatic confirmation, please contact Avalon McAllister on 0117 931 7124. In case of any dispute about the submission of proposals, it is the responsibility of the bidder to provide evidence that the proposal was emailed to the above address prior to the deadline.
Proposals will be peer reviewed and marked against the evaluation criteria under Section V of this document.
Evaluators are asked to apply the following criteria in assessing applications:
Impact: the project’s intellectual significance, including how it will increase the understanding of the humanities and the extent to which the project outcomes will be of overall value to the education and research communities in the United States and England or Wales.
Quality of proposal and work plan: the extent to which the proposal addresses the issues and demands outlined in the guidelines, showing innovation as appropriate. The quality of the proposal will be assessed on the basis of the grant products proposed, the evidence provided of how and when they will be delivered, and the assessment of the risks involved.
Partnership: the degree to which the proposal demonstrates the institutions’ willingness to work in an international partnership, and the potential for extending the partnership beyond the funding period.
Dissemination: the project’s plan for providing access to grant products. All other considerations being equal, preference will be given to projects that provide free, online access to digital materials produced with grant funds
Project value: the value of the expected project outcomes vis-à-vis the level of funding requested, taking into account the level of innovation, chance of success, and relevance to the target communities.
Previous experience of the project team: evidence of the project team's understanding of the technical and management issues involved and of its ability to administer a project successfully, as shown through work done to date in the area or in related fields.
Late applications will not be reviewed.
Review and selection process
For this special competition, applicants will submit a duplicate application copy to both NEH and JISC. A panel of peer reviewers will be selected jointly by NEH and JISC. Reviewers will read each application and advise NEH and JISC about the application’s merits. NEH and JISC staff comment on matters of fact or on significant issues that otherwise would be missing from these reviews. The funding agencies will collaborate on a set of final recommended projects to be funded jointly, according to the mutual decisions of the NEH chairman, who by law makes all NEH funding decisions, and the JISC Executive Committee. The JISC Executive and NEH will notify applicants whether proposals have been funded in August 2009.
The information below is for the U.S. partner in the project. English or Welsh partners are
encouraged to review the
JISC guidelines for award administration information specific
to institutions in England and Wales.
Award notices
Applicants will be notified by e-mail in August 2009 of the decision. Institutional grants administrators and project directors of successful applications will also receive at that time award documents by mail. Applicants may obtain the evaluations of their applications by sending a letter or e-mail to NEH, Division of Preservation and Access, Room 411, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20506 or preservation@neh.gov.
Administrative requirements
Before submitting an application, applicants should review their
responsibilities as an award recipient and the lobbying certification requirement.
Award conditions
The requirements for awards are contained in the General Terms and
Conditions for Awards to Organizations, any specific terms and conditions contained in the award document,
and the applicable
OMB circulars governing federal grants
management.
Reporting Requirements
A schedule of report due dates will be included with the award document.
Interim and final performance reports will be required. Further details
can be found in Performance
Reporting Requirements (formerly Enclosure 2).
A Federal Cash
Transactions Report (2-page PDF) will be due within thirty days after the
end of each calendar quarter. A final Financial Status
Report (2-page PDF) will be due within ninety days after the completion
date of the award period. Further details can be found in Financial
Reporting Requirements (formerly Enclosure 1).
If you have questions about the program, contact:
NEH Contact for U.S. Partners
JISC/NEH Transatlantic Digitization Collaboration Grants Division of Preservation and Access Room 411 National Endowment for the Humanities 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20506 202-606-8570
If you need help using Grants.gov, contact:
Grants.gov: http://www.grants.gov
Grants.gov help desk: support@grants.gov Grants.gov customer support tutorials and manuals : http://www.grants.gov/CustomerSupport Grant.gov support line: 1-800-518-GRANTS (4726) Grants.gov trouble shooting tips.
JISC Contact for English and Welsh Partners
Enquiries relating to content of bids should be directed to: Alastair Dunning a.dunning@jisc.ac.uk 020 3006 6065
General enquiries about the bid submission process should be directed to:
Avalon McAllister a.mcallister@jisc.ac.uk 0117 931 7252
This information is for the U.S. partner in the project. English and Welsh partners are encouraged to review the
JISC guidelines for other information specific to English or Welsh institutions.
Privacy Policy
Information in these guidelines is solicited under the authority of the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities
Act of 1965, as amended, 20 U.S.C. 956. The principal purpose for which the information will be used is to process the
grant application. The information may also be used for statistical research, analysis of trends, and Congressional
oversight. Failure to provide the information may result in the delay or rejection of the application.
Application Completion Time
The Office of Management and Budget requires federal agencies to supply information on the time needed to complete forms
and also to invite comments on the paperwork burden.NEH estimates that the average time to complete this application is fifteen hours per response. This estimate includes time for reviewing instructions, researching, gathering, and maintaining the information needed, and completing and reviewing the application.
Please send any comments regarding the estimated completion time or any other aspect of this application,
including suggestions for reducing the completion time, to the Office of Publications, National
Endowment for the Humanities, Washington, DC 20506; and to the Office of Management and Budget,
Paperwork Reduction Project (3136-0134), Washington, DC 20503. According to the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless
it displays a valid OMB number.
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