Program Office: Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education
ALN Number: 84.116M
Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants
Program Description
The Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) Program is a grant program designed to equitably improve postsecondary student outcomes, including retention, transfer (including successful transfer of completed credits), credit accumulation, and completion, by leveraging data and implementing, scaling, and rigorously evaluating evidence-based activities to support data-driven decisions and actions by institutional leaders committed to inclusive student success.
Per the NIA:
Eligible Applicants:
- Institutions designated as eligible to apply under Title III/V (which includes HBCUs, TCCUs, MSIs and SIP);
- Nonprofits that are not an IHE or part of an IHE, in partnership with at least one eligible Title III/V IHE;
- A State, in partnership with at least one eligible Title III/V IHE; or
- A public system of higher education institutions.
Who May Apply:
(1) a part B institution (a historically Black college or university) (§322 of the HEA, 20 U.S.C. §1061);
(2) a Hispanic-serving institution (§502 of the HEA, 20 U.S.C. §1101a);
(3) a Tribal College or University (§316 of the HEA, 20 U.S.C. §1059c);
(4) an Alaska Native-serving institution or a Native Hawaiian-serving institution (§317(b) of the HEA, 20 U.S.C. §1059d(b);
(5) a Predominantly Black Institution (§§318(b) and 371(c)(9) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. §§ 1059e(b) and 1067q(c)(9));
(6) an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution (§§ 320(b) and 371(c)(2) of the HEA, 20 U.S.C. §§1059g(b) and 1067q(c)(2); or
(7) a Native American-serving nontribal institution (§§319(b) and 371(c)(8) of the HEA; 20 U.S.C. §§ 1059f(b) and 1067q(c)(8). (8) a Title III, Part A institution (Strengthening Institutions Program) (§311-315 of the HEA, 20 U.S.C. §1057-1059)
Timeline
Current Competition: FY 2023
Application Available: July 26, 2023
Application Deadline: September 25, 2023
Federal Register Notice
- Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for FY 2023 dated July 26, 2023 | PDF
Current Application
Applications for the FY 2023 Postsecondary Success Program is available now on Grants.gov.
TO APPLY:
The FY 2023 Postsecondary Success Grant Program application is available until September 25, 2023 via the Grants.gov website at www.grants.gov under Opportunity Number: ED-GRANTS-072623-001 .
Click here to access the FY 2023 PSSG Program Application Booklet.
Tips and Assistance
Please follow the guidance published in the Federal Register Notice and the application instructions in Grants.gov.
The technical assistance pre-application webinar will occur:
- Tuesday, August 15 at 2:00pm (EST), and
- Thursday, August 31 at 2:00pm (EST).
To receive the technical assistance pre-application webinar links, please complete the Pre-Registration Form.
Click here to view webinar slides.
Click here to access the recording of the FY 2023 PSSG Program's 1st Technical Assistance Webinar held August 15, 2023.
| Nemeka Mason-Clercin U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, 5th floor, Washington, DC 20202-4260 Telephone: (202) 987-1340 Email: Nemeka.Mason@ed.gov Email: PSSP@ed.gov | Nalini Lamba-Nieves U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, room 5C127, Washington, DC 20202-4260 Telephone: (202) 453-7953 Email: Nalini.Lamba-Nieves@ed.gov Email:PSSP@ed.gov |
If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.
| Fiscal Year (FY) | Number of New Awards | Federal Register Notice |
| FY 2024 | 7 | Funding Down the Slate from 2023 Competition |
| FY 2023 | 10 | Published 7/26/23 |
| FY 2022 | 5 | Published 8/12/22 |
FY 2024
| Rank | PR Number | Applicant Name | Project Title | State | Duration (in Years) | Total Funding | Abstract | |
| FY 2024 Absolute Priority 1: Early-Phase Grants (Demonstrates A Rationale) | ||||||||
| 8 | P116M240117 | New York Institute of Technology | Pathways for Advancing and Thriving in Higher Education (PATH) | New York | 4 | $2,763,820.00 | PDF (15K) | |
| *10 | P116M240198 | Jarvis Christian University | Leveraging Existing Resources and Implementing New Evidenced Strategies to Strengthen Student Integration | Texas | 4 | $3,418,794.00 | PDF (116K) | |
| 11 | P116M240067 | Research Foundation for the SUNY - ALBANY | UAlbany FACTS (Financial Assistance Coaching & Tools for Success) | New York | 4 | $3,998,852.00 | PDF (15K) | |
| FY 2024 Absolute Priority 2: Mid-Phase/Expansion Grants (Moderate/Strong Evidence) | ||||||||
| 4 | P116M240146 | The University of Texas at San Antonio | UTSA One: Helping First Generation Students Seize Opportunities, Navigate Transitions and Explore Possibilities | Texas | 4 | $7,299,868.00 | PDF (70K) | |
| 5 | P116M240230 | Center for Collaborative Education | CCE Pathways for Prospective Educator Success | Massachusetts | 4 | $8,000,000.00 | PDF (56K) | |
| 6 | P116M240021 | California State University, Fresno Foundation | Strengthening Advising, Strengthening Results (“START”) | California | 4 | $7,959,963.00 | PDF (101K) | |
| 7 | P116M240195 | Portland State University | Access, Connect, Complete, Engage (ACCE) | Oregon | 4 | $7,972,036.00 | PDF (130K) | |
* 9th ranked applicant did not meet the eligibility requirement for 2024, thus could not be funded.
FY 2023
| Rank | PR Number | Applicant Name | Project Title | State | Duration (in Years) | Total Funding | Abstract | |
| FY 2023 Absolute Priority 1: Early-Phase Grants (Demonstrates A Rationale) | ||||||||
| 1 | P116M230035 | University System of Maryland | Maryland’s ABC’s for Student Success: Advising, Belonging and Coaching for Student Success | Maryland | 4 | $3,999,582.00 | PDF (199K) | |
| 2 | P116M230040 | Long Beach Community College District | The Success and Completion Achievement Network (SCAN) | California | 4 | $4,000,000.00 | PDF (134K) | |
| 3 | P116M230115 | St. Peter's University | PeacockSuccess by Optimizing Data and Support (PODS) Project | New Jersey | 4 | $3,844,614.00 | PDF (133K) | |
| 4 | P116M230151 | National University | NU Peer Navigator Network | California | 4 | $4,000,000.00 | PDF (268K) | |
| 5 | P116M230179 | California State University Fullerton | Fullerton RISES: Re-imagining Success for Every Student | California | 4 | $3,999,436.00 | PDF (87K) | |
| 6 | P116M230137 | Tulsa Community College | Start Smart: Contextualizing the First Year Experience to Improve Postsecondary Outcomes | Oklahoma | 4 | $3,717,502.00 | PDF (129K) | |
| 7 | P116M230012 | The Regents of the University of California, Berkeley | Project Excel | California | 4 | $3,034,708.00 | PDF (79K) | |
| FY 2023 Absolute Priority 2: Mid-Phase/Expansion Grants (Moderate/Strong Evidence) | ||||||||
| 1 | P116M230147 | The Research Foundation - The City College | WELCOME: Welcoming Experiences and Learning Communities to Maximize Early Success | New York | 4 | $7,319,134.00 | PDF (78K) | |
| 2 | P116M230204 | Colorado State University Pueblo | Systemwide Collaborative for Advancing Learning and Equity with Data (SCALED-CSU) | Colorado | 4 | $7,844,905.00 | PDF (69K) | |
| 3 | P116M230039 | Georgia State University | TEACH ME: Technology Enhanced Academic Communication to Help in Math and English | Georgia | 4 | $7,578,694.00 | PDF (95K) | |
FY 2022
(Listed in chronological not rank order)
| # | PR Number | Applicant Name | Project Title | State | Duration (in Years) | Total Funding | Abstract |
| 1 | P116M220012 | The Florida International University Board of Trustees | The FIU Scaling Completion Initiative | Florida | 2 | $975,000.00 | PDF (262K) |
| 2 | P116M220021 | Austin Community College | Austin Community College Ensuring Student Success (ACCESS) | Texas | 2 | $770,764.00 | PDF (262K) |
| 3 | P116M220030 | Passaic County Community College | PCCC Targeted Support for Stop-Out Students (PCCC-TSSS) | New Jersey | 2 | $999,963.00 | PDF (262K) |
| 4 | P116M220080 | Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College | Re-engagement And Completion Experience (RACE) to Finish | South Carolina | 2 | $952,262.00 | PDF (262K) |
| 5 | P116M220102 | Claflin University | Innovative Access to Success Pathway Project | South Carolina | 2 | $1,000,000.00 | PDF (262K) |
FY 2024
Number of new awards: 7
Total new awards funded: $45,413,333.00
FY 2023
Number of new awards: 10
Total new awards funded: $49,338,575.00
FY 2022
Number of new awards: 5
Total new awards funded: $4,697,989.00
Performance Reports
If you receive for a grant under this competition, you must ensure that you have in place the necessary processes and systems to comply with the reporting requirements in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive funding under the competition. This does not apply if you have an exception under 2 CFR 170.110(b).
At the end of your project period, you must submit a final performance report, including financial information, as directed by the Secretary. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information as directed by the Secretary under 34 CFR 75.118. The Secretary may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please go to www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
Performance Measures
For the purpose of Department reporting under 34 CFR 75.110, the Department has established a set of required performance measures (as defined in this notice):
- First-year credit accumulation.
- Annual retention (at initial institution) and persistence (at any institution) rates.
- Success rates including graduation and upward transfer for two-year institutions.
- Time to credential.
- Number of credentials conferred.
All measures should be disaggregated by race/ethnicity and Pell grant recipient status and should be inclusive of all credential-seeking students (e.g., full-time and part-time, first-time and transfer-in.)
Project-Specific Performance Measures
Applicants must propose project-specific performance measures and performance targets (both as defined in this notice) consistent with the objectives of the proposed project.
Applications must provide the following information as directed under 34 CFR 75.110(b):
- Performance measures. How each proposed performance measure would accurately measure the performance of the project and how the proposed performance measure would be consistent with the performance measures established for the program funding the competition.
- Baseline (as defined in the NIA) data. (i) Why each proposed baseline is valid; or (ii) if the applicant has determined that there are no established baseline data for a particular performance measure, an explanation of why there is no established baseline and of how and when, during the project period, the applicant would establish a valid baseline for the performance measure.
- Performance targets. Why each proposed performance target is ambitious yet achievable compared to the baseline for the performance measure and when, during the project period, the applicant would meet the performance target(s).
The Higher Education Opportunity Act (Public Law 110-315) (HEOA) was enacted on August 14, 2008. This law reauthorizes and extends the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. The Higher Education Act (HEA) provides the statutory authority for most of the programs administered by OPE, as well as for the Federal Student Aid Programs.
Legislation
- Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title VII, Part B
- 20 U.S.C. 1138-1138d
- 2022: The Explanatory Statement accompanying Division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103).
- 2023 and 2024: House Report 117-403 and the Explanatory Statement accompanying Division H of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328).
- The 2024 Notice of Final Priorities (NFP), 89 FR 66225, August 15, 2024.
Regulations
- There are no program-specific regulations.
- Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 82, 84, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99
- Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485.
- The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3474.
Resources to Help Project Evaluations Meet What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Standards
- WWC Main Page
- Evidence Tiers and WWC Ratings
- WWC Handbooks
- WWC Online Training
- Technical Assistance Materials for Conducting Rigorous Impact Evaluations
Related Sites
Other Resources
- Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) - Applicant and Grantee Resources
- Eligibility Designations and Applications for Waiver of Eligibility Requirements
Key Staff
| Nemeka Mason-Clercin U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, 5th floor, Washington, DC 20202-4260 Telephone: (202) 987-1340 Email: Nemeka.Mason@ed.gov Email: PSSP@ed.gov | Nalini Lamba-Nieves U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, room 5C127, Washington, DC 20202-4260 Telephone: (202) 453-7953 Email: Nalini.Lamba-Nieves@ed.gov Email:PSSP@ed.gov |
Frequently Asked Questions
Overview: Q1
Eligibility: Q2-Q7
Absolute Priorities & Evidence: Q8-Q13
Evaluation & Technical Assistance: Q14-Q17
Data Collection & Reporting: Q18-Q20
Funding: Q21-Q26
Application Logistics: Q27-Q33
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- What is the purpose of the PSSG program?
- Who is eligible to apply?
- How do I know if my IHE meets the Title III or Title V requirement?
- For public systems of higher education institutions who want to apply, do they have to include in their application an IHE that was designated as eligible under the HEA titles III and V programs?
- Can applicants partner with other non-eligible institutions?
- We are currently a grantee of another Title III/V program. Are we eligible to apply for PSSG?
- If we apply to PSSG and receive the grant, would that eliminate the option to also apply to/receive funding under another Title III/V grant program?
- What is the difference between absolute and competitive preference priorities?
- Must an IHE meet both absolute and competitive preference priorities?
- What are the evidence tiers for the absolute priorities and what criteria are considered?
- Regarding the evidence, in the NIA, it says to use the WWC 4.1 handbooks, but the website has a more current 5.0 handbook. What do you recommend we use?
- Can an IHE submit multiple applications?
- If an application is judged not to meet the "standards of evidence" required for Mid- Phase/Expansion grants (moderate/strong evidence), will it be considered for an early phase grant?
- Is an independent evaluator a requirement?
- Can the independent evaluator be paid using grant funds?
- Will there be a pre-application technical assistance webinar?
- Will the Department provide grantees with technical assistance?
- Is there a minimum number of students that the intervention must impact?
- What are the performance measures that the applicant must propose and report on?
- What reporting requirements are there for this program?
- Are the stated dollar amounts for each award in the NIA the amounts per year or over the length of the grant?
- Can grant funds be used to pay:
- Is there a matching requirement for this Program?
- Can the matching requirement be waived?
- When will applicants be notified of whether they will be awarded a grant?
- When are grantees projected to begin grant activities?
- How long should the abstract be?
- Are the absolute and competitive preference priorities included as part of the recommended page limit?
- Does everything have to be double-spaced and 12-point font?
- Is it acceptable to use the landscape orientation for the tables that address the design, management plan, and logic model?
- Are references included in the 30-page limit?
- Are letters of support required?
- Is there an expectation for the percentage of time expended by the Project Director? Generally, it is at least 5%, but this solicitation does not seem to have a requirement.
1. What is the purpose of the PSSG program?
The purpose of PSSG is to equitably improve postsecondary student outcomes by leveraging data and implementing, scaling, and rigorously evaluating evidence-based activities to support data-driven decisions and actions by institutional leaders committed to inclusive student success.
TOP
2. Who is eligible to apply?
In this competition, eligibility is limited to:
- Institutions designated as eligible to apply under Title III and Title V (including HBCUs, TCCUs, MSIs, and SIP-eligible institutions);
- Nonprofits that are not institutions of higher education (IHEs) or associated with an IHE in partnership with at least one eligible Title III/V IHE;
- States, in partnership with at least one eligible Title III/V IHE; and
- Public systems of higher education institutions.
TOP
3. How do I know if my IHE meets the Title III or Title V requirement?
To determine if your institution was deemed eligible for FY 2023, please visit, https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/idues/eligibility.html.
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4. For public systems of higher education institutions who want to apply, do they have to include in their application an IHE that was designated as eligible under the HEA titles III and V programs?
No.
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5. Can applicants partner with other non-eligible institutions?
Yes, however the lead applicant must meet the eligibility requirements.
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6. We are currently a grantee of another Title III/V program. Are we eligible to apply for PSSG?
Yes, you may have a Title III or Title V grant, and still be able to apply to PSSG provided you meet the program's eligibility requirements.
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7. If we apply to PSSG and receive the grant, would that eliminate the option to also apply to/receive funding under another Title III/V grant program?
No.
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8. What is the difference between absolute and competitive preference priorities?
petitive preference priorities? Only applications that address one of the absolute priorities in the project design will be considered for funding. For the competitive preference priority (CPP), applications that successfully address the CPP in the project design may receive up to an additional six points during the review process. Please refer to the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) for more details.
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9. Must an IHE meet both absolute and competitive preference priorities?
Applicants to the FY 2023 PSSG program must choose one of the two absolute priorities and can only apply under one of them. Addressing the CPP is optional.
TOP
10. What are the evidence tiers for the absolute priorities and what criteria are considered?
Each of the absolute priorities require different evidence levels (as defined here) for proposed projects.
| Absolute Priority 1 | Absolute Priority 2 | |
| Phase | Early Phase | Mid-Phase/ Expansion |
| Evidence Tier | Demonstrates a Rationale | Moderate Evidence or Strong Evidence |
| Evidence Requirement | A key project component included in the project's logic model is informed by research or evaluation findings that suggest the project component is likely to improve student retention and completion. | WWC Practice Guide Reporting Strong or Moderate evidence base for corresponding recommendation. WWC Intervention Report reporting a “positive effect” or “potentially positive effect” on a relevant outcome based on a “medium to large” extent of evidence, with no reporting of a “negative effect” or “potentially negative effect” on a relevant outcome. Evidence from at least one well designed and well implemented quasi-experimental or experimental study. |
| Logic Model Required with Application | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum Evaluation Design for Project Evaluation Proposed by Applicant | Quasi-experimental | Experimental |
| Evaluation Design Must Meet WWC Standards | With or Without reservations | Without reservations |
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11. Regarding the evidence, in the NIA, it says to use the WWC 4.1 handbooks, but the website has a more current 5.0 handbook. What do you recommend we use?
The Department will use Version 4.1 WWC standards to assess studies cited as Moderate Evidence or Strong Evidence for Absolute Priority 2 and that were not previously reviewed by the WWC. The newer version 5.0 standards are similar to version 4.1 standards. Applicants may want to plan evaluations aligned with version 5.0 standards, as those are more likely to be in use when evaluation findings would become available for WWC review.
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12. Can an IHE submit multiple applications?
Each applicant may submit only one application.
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13. If an application is judged not to meet the "standards of evidence" required for Mid- Phase/Expansion grants (moderate/strong evidence), will it be considered for an early phase grant?
No. An application will only be considered for funding under the absolute priority for which the applicant indicates it is applying.
TOP
14. Is an independent evaluator a requirement?
Yes.
TOP
15. Can the independent evaluator be paid using grant funds?
Yes.
TOP
16. Will there be a pre-application technical assistance webinar?
Yes. Currently, two pre-application webinars are scheduled for:
- Tuesday, 8/15, 2:00-3:00 PM EDT, and
- Thursday, 8/31, 2:00-3:00 PM EDT
Individuals who wish to receive the link to these webinars, should complete the pre-registration form at https://forms.office.com/g/sH4HdNVztp TOP
17. Will the Department provide grantees with technical assistance?
Yes, the Department will provide grantees and their independent evaluators with technical assistance in their evaluation, dissemination, scaling, and sustainability efforts.
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18. Is there a minimum number of students that the intervention must impact?
There is no minimum sample size requirement for early phase grants. For mid-phase/expansion grants, the project must be implemented on at least two campuses of a single institution or serve at least 2,000 students.
TOP
19. What are the performance measures that the applicant must propose and report on?
Applicants must report on the program performance measures, as specified in the NIA, and propose project-specific measures that are based on the specific intervention used.
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20. What reporting requirements are there for this program?
Grantees will be required to submit an annual performance report that provides the most current performance and financial expenditure information. At the end of the four-year project period, grantees must submit a final performance report including financial information.
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21. Are the stated dollar amounts for each award in the NIA the amounts per year or over the length of the grant?
The amount listed in the NIA is for 48 months or 4 years.
- AP1--Early-Phase
- Maximum Amount of Award: $4,000,000
- Estimated Average Size of Awards: $3,000,000
- AP2—Mid/Expansion Phase
- Maximum Amount of Award: $8,000,000
- Estimated Average Size of Awards: $7,000,000
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22. Can grant funds be used to pay:
- Student stipends?
- Yes.
- Student vouchers for bus passes, groceries, childcare, or other uses?
- Yes.
- Laboratory equipment?
- Yes.
- New Construction?
- No.
- Data Collection?
- Yes.
- Independent Evaluation?
- Yes.
Applicants should note that for the above approved expenditures, use of these funds must be directly tied to a key project component.
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23. Is there a matching requirement for this Program?
Yes, each grant recipient must provide, from Federal, State, local, or private sources, an amount equal to or exceeding 10 percent of funds requested under the grant, which may be provided in cash or through in-kind contributions, to carry out activities supported by the grant. Applicants must include a budget showing their matching contributions to the budget amount requested of PSSG funds.
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24. Can the matching requirement be waived?
Yes, institutions seeking to waive the matching requirement must provide the outlined waiver request information within their application. Please refer to the NIA for more details.
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25. When will applicants be notified of whether they will be awarded a grant?
December 2023.
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26. When are grantees projected to begin grant activities?
January 2024.
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27. How long should the abstract be?
Typically abstracts are one (1) page.
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28. Are the absolute and competitive preference priorities included as part of the recommended page limit?
Yes.
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29. Does everything have to be double-spaced and 12-point font?
No, only the project narrative and responses to the chosen absolute priority and CPP, if addressed, must be double-spaced and 12-point font. The abstract, charts, tables, logic model, and other attachments may be single-spaced and 12-point font. Citations, footnotes, and references do not have to be double- spaced or 12-point font.
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30. Is it acceptable to use the landscape orientation for the tables that address the design, management plan, and logic model?
Yes. Applications will not be ineligible due to formatting issues.
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31. Are references included in the 30-page limit?
No, references should be in a separate attachment as stated in the application booklet.
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32. Are letters of support required?
They are not required but if you consider them important to your proposed grant, you can add them under "Other" attachments.
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33. Is there an expectation for the percentage of time expended by the Project Director? Generally, it is at least 5%, but this solicitation does not seem to have a requirement.
We do not determine the time and effort of directors. You should set the percentage based on what you deem appropriate and explain why.