Applying for Federal Grants

Applying for Federal GrantsApplying for Federal Grants

Dr. Irem Kiyak, Associate Director

International Business Center

Michigan State University

Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University

Potential Sources of FundingPotential Sources of Funding

• Good starting point:http://globaledge.msu.edu/academy/grant-opportunities/


Potential Sources of FundingPotential Sources of Funding

• U.S. Department of Education (Title VI and Fulbright-Hays)

• U.S. Department of Commerce (ITA MDCP program)• FIPSE• USIA (Affiliations Program)• Department of Defense• Small Business Administration (SBDC Program)• State Agencies• Local chambers, trade/industry groups• Large corporations, banks, utility companies• Foundations (Annenberg, Ford, McArthur, Comerica)• Revenue-seeking programs/executive training


Title VI: Business and International Education (BIE)Title VI: Business and International Education (BIE)

• Provides grants for up to two years to 2- and 4-year colleges and universities

• Projects range in federal funding from $50,000 to $95,000 per year

• 80-100 applicants apply and US/ED funds between 20-25 new applicants per year

• 20-25 community colleges apply each year and 4-5 are funded each year

• A panel of international business specialists review the applications


BIE: Eligible ApplicantsBIE: Eligible Applicants

• Institutions of higher education that enter into a written agreement with a trade association, chamber of commerce or business that is engaged in international economic activity.

• All applicants must also provide one-to-one matching funds in the form of cash or in-kind contributions.


BIE: Two RequirementsBIE: Two Requirements

1. Improve the academic teaching of the business curriculum.

2. Conduct outreach activities that expand the capacity of the business community to engage in international economic activities.

The external community in many cases complains they’ve never heard of the universities. The universities have never left their campuses to go ask the business folks what they want and what they need. The BIE program is designed to strengthen the university’s ties with the external community.


BIE: Authorized ActivitiesBIE: Authorized Activities

• Innovation and improvement in international education curricula to serve the needs of the business community;

• Development of program to inform the public of increasing international economic interdependence;

• Internationalization of curricula;

• Development of area studies programs and interdisciplinary international programs;


• Establishment of export education programs through cooperative arrangements with regional and world trade centers and councils;

• Research for and development of specialized teaching materials, including language materials;

• Establishment of student and faculty fellowships and internships;

BIE: Authorized Activities (continued)BIE: Authorized Activities (continued)


• Development of opportunities for junior business and other professional school faculty to acquire or strengthen international skills and perspectives;

• Development of research programs on issues of common interest to institutions

• The establishment of linkages with overseas institutions;

• Summer institutes in international business

BIE: Authorized Activities (continued)BIE: Authorized Activities (continued)


Examples of Eligible ActivitiesExamples of Eligible Activities

• Improve business and international education curriculum Improve business and international education curriculum

• Develop area studies programs and other interdisciplinary Develop area studies programs and other interdisciplinary international programsinternational programs

• Establish export education programs for businessEstablish export education programs for business

• Develop specialized teaching materialsDevelop specialized teaching materials

• Create opportunities for business and faculty to strengthen Create opportunities for business and faculty to strengthen international skillsinternational skills

• Establish internships overseas to develop foreign language Establish internships overseas to develop foreign language skills and experience foreign culturesskills and experience foreign cultures

• Establish linkages with overseas institutionsEstablish linkages with overseas institutions


PartnershipsPartnerships

• Teaching and ResearchTeaching and Research– With faculty within departmentWith faculty within department– With other departments on campus (i.e., language With other departments on campus (i.e., language

dept.)dept.)– With colleagues at other universitiesWith colleagues at other universities

• Outreach with business communityOutreach with business community– ConferencesConferences– Executive-in-ResidenceExecutive-in-Residence

• Outreach with academic communityOutreach with academic community– Visiting ScholarsVisiting Scholars– Overseas linkagesOverseas linkages


Suggestions for Institutional InternationalizationSuggestions for Institutional Internationalization

• SetSet specific goals specific goals

• PlanPlan around those goals around those goals

• FollowFollow guidelines explicitly guidelines explicitly

• ObtainObtain strong administrative support strong administrative support

• DocumentDocument institutional supportinstitutional support

• MeasureMeasure interests of faculty and students interests of faculty and students

• EstablishEstablish working dialogue with program officers -- working dialogue with program officers -- take advicetake advice

• VolunteerVolunteer to serve as a reader of other grants to serve as a reader of other grants

• NetworkNetwork among international educators among international educators


Suggestions for Institutional Internationalization contd.

Suggestions for Institutional Internationalization contd.

• ObtainObtain support of community leaderssupport of community leaders

• RecognizeRecognize the significant time commitment needed the significant time commitment needed

• ObtainObtain release time for writer release time for writer

• DevelopDevelop a team of colleagues -- delegatea team of colleagues -- delegate

• ElaborateElaborate proposal under clear schedule/pert chart proposal under clear schedule/pert chart

• ReadRead past applicationspast applications

• PreparePrepare meaningful evaluation plan meaningful evaluation plan

• SelectSelect outside expert as evaluator outside expert as evaluator

• UseUse proposed evaluator in preparation proposed evaluator in preparation

• BuildBuild on failureson failures


BIE: “Proposal” Development TimetableBIE: “Proposal” Development Timetable

March/April• Conduct analysis of capabilities as well as ‘needs

assessment’• Develop a team of committed faculty & administrators

to contribute• Plan specific activities for each area

– Academic/Curriculum– Faculty Development– Outreach/Business community


BIE: “Proposal” Development Timetable contd.BIE: “Proposal” Development Timetable contd.

May• Start drafting the proposal• Start by developing exhibits/tables

June/July

• Secure “Letter of Agreement” from key outreach partner

• Get letters of commitment from administrators, faculty, outside evaluator

August/September

• Have proposal draft reviewed by others and external evaluator

• Refine proposal budget


BIE: “Proposal” Development Timetable contd. BIE: “Proposal” Development Timetable contd.

October

– Continue review and refinement

– Finalize proposal

– Obtain required signatures

November

– Electronic submission of the proposal


GrantsmanshipGrantsmanship

1. Be sure to consult with the program officer at USDOE

2. Review abstracts of funded projects in Washington, D.C.

3. Address each component of the legislation

4. Propose realistic activities and costs

5. Develop key objectives or thrusts; limit your proposal to 3-5 major initiatives

6. Designate a management team with international and grants experience

7. Prepare a specific and detailed budget: demonstrate cost effectiveness


Grantsmanship contd. Grantsmanship contd.

8. Provide summative and formative evaluation plans of grant activities

9. Address issues of institutional commitment and sustainability

10. Format the proposal so that it is easy to read

11. Maximize the use of exhibits (tables, charts).

12. Be positive and passionate!

13. If not funded, request the reviewers’ comments and RE-APPLY!


BIE: “Proposal” Panel ReviewBIE: “Proposal” Panel Review

• Reviewers are all international business professors

• A community college professor sits on each panel

• Each reviewer reads 15-20 applications.

• Three reviewers per panel— panel members discuss each application with the program officer

• The reviewers follow the guidelines in the application packet

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REQUEST FROM FEDERAL AGENCY:

YEAR ONE

INSTITUTIONAL SHARE-YEAR

ONE

REQUEST FROM FEDERAL AGENCY-

YEAR TWO

INSTITUTIONAL SHARE-YEAR

TWO

PERSONNEL:Dr. Smith (10% of $50,000) $5,000 $10,000

Technical Assistant: 150 hrs x $25 $3,750 $20,000

Admin. Asst.: 75% of $26,000 $19,500 $10,000

Subtotal Personnel: $28,250 $40,000

FRINGE BENEFITS: 32% of $5,000; 32% of $19,500

$1,600 + $6,240 =$7,840 $0

TRAVEL: Domestic: mileage, air fares, per diem for 4 people to attend FDIBs x $1000/person = $4,000; Foreign: PD mtg. Vienna, $4,000/two

persons, airfare: $1000; registration: $450/person, meals, other = $1,100

$4,000 +$4,000=$8,000 $2,000

EQUIPMENT Justify in writing $20,000

SUPPLIES: Office Supplies: $500; Software: $6,500: (provide details) $7,000 $5,000

CONTRACTUAL

CONSTRUCTION

OTHER: Duplication, .10 x 3,000 = $300; workshop exp. = $8700; subscription to NTBO =

$1000$10,000 $0

Subtotal Direct Costs $61,090 $67,000

INDIRECT COSTS (8%) $4,887 $5,360 (Restricted to 8%)

TRAINING COSTS/STIPENDS

TOTAL $65,977 $72,360

BASIC GENERAL BUDGET*(*This budget does not include details of the matching costs which you must include on the budget you submit.)

TECHNICAL REVIEW: BIE ProposalTECHNICAL REVIEW: BIE Proposal

Part I- CRITERIA PROFILEMAXIMUM

POINTSPOINTS

ASSIGNED

1. Extent of Need for the Project 20

2. Plan of Operation 30

3. Quality of Key Personnel 1O

4. Budget & Cost Effectiveness 15

5. Evaluation Plan 15

6. Adequacy of Resources 10

TOTAL POINTS 100


1. EXTENT OF NEED FOR THE PROJECT (Maximum 20 points)

a. How well does this project meet the needs outlined in 611 of the statute?

b. Are the needs clearly defined? How did the applicant identify those needs?

c. Does the applicant propose to meet those needs by improving the institution’s international academic program and by developing appropriate linkages with the business community?

d. How appropriate are the results of the proposed project in meeting the purpose of Title VI, part B?

NOT ADDRESSED

0 PointsINADEQUATE

1-6 PointsADEQUATE

7-13 Points

GOOD TO EXCELLENT

14-20 PointsPOINTS

AWARDED _______

Please provide a justification for the points awarded based on STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES:

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2. PLAN OF OPERATION (Maximum 30 points)

a. To what extent do the objectives of the project, and the anticipated results, relate to the purpose of Title VI, part B?

b. How effective is the plan of management? To what extent will it ensure proper and effective administration of the project, and result in achieving the project’s objectives?

c. How effective and appropriate are the provisions of the “Agreement”?

d. Does the applicant plan to use its resources and personnel, and the resources and the contributions provided for under the “Agreement,” in an effective way to achieve programmatic goals?

e. Are the proposed linkages with the business community, including those provided for in the “Agreement,” designed to accomplish the objectives of Title VI, part B?

f. To what extent will the applicant provide equal access treatment for members of racial and ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly?

NOT ADDRESSED

0 PointsINADEQUATE

1-10 PointsADEQUATE 11-20 Points

GOOD TO EXCELLENT

21-30 PointsPOINTS

AWARDED _______


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3. QUALITY OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN (Maximum 10 points)

a. Are the experiences and qualifications of the project director adequate?

b. Are the experience and qualifications of other personnel and teaching staff adequate?

c. Is the amount of time that each of the key persons, referred to in (a) and (b), and the plans to commit to the project adequate?

d. To what extent does the applicant, as part of its non-discriminatory employment practices, encourage applications for employment from members or groups (e.g., members of racial and ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly), that have been traditionally under-represented?

NOT ADDRESSED

0 PointsINADEQUATE 1-3

PointsADEQUATE

4-6 Points

GOOD TO EXCELLENT

7-10 PointsPOINTS

AWARDED _______


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4. BUDGET AND COST EFFECTIVENESS (Maximum 15 points)

a. Is the budget adequate to support the project?

b. Are the costs reasonable in relation to the objectives of the project?

NOT ADDRESSED

0 PointsINADEQUATE

1-5 PointsADEQUATE

6-10 Points

GOOD TO EXCELLENT

11-15 PointsPOINTS

AWARDED _______


5. PLAN OF EVALUATION (Maximum 15 points)

a. How appropriate and adequate are the provisions for evaluating the effectiveness of the project?

b. Are the criteria adequate to evaluate the results of the project?

c. Will the evaluation be objective, and will it produce data that is quantifiable?

d. Is the methodology adequate to determine if the needs for which the project is designed met?

NOT ADDRESED

0 PointsINADEQUATE

1-5 Points

ADEQUATE 6-10 Points

GOOD TO EXCELLENT

11-15 PointsPOINTS

AWARDED _______


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6. ADEQUACY OF RESOURCES (Maximum 10 points)

a. Do the applicant and the parties to the “Agreement” plan to devote adequate resources to the project as evidenced by the type of facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources described in the application?

b. Are the sources and kinds of matching resources, which provide the 50 percent of the non-Federal share of the project costs, adequate and appropriate?

NOT ADDRESSED

0 PointsINADEQUATE

1-3 PointsADEQUATE

4-6 Points

GOOD TO EXCELLENT

7-10 Points

POINTS

AWARDED _______



TIPS!TIPS!

• Start early – Start early – TODAY!TODAY!

• Contact federal funding agency and become familiar Contact federal funding agency and become familiar with agency staffwith agency staff

– visit the program officervisit the program officer

– read funded proposalsread funded proposals

– see if agency will review your draftssee if agency will review your drafts

• Ask about the evaluation process Ask about the evaluation process

– is it peer review or by federal officials?is it peer review or by federal officials?

– is there a pre-application process?is there a pre-application process?

• Seek out support internally and externally for your Seek out support internally and externally for your proposalproposal


More TIPS!More TIPS!

• Look at return on investmentLook at return on investment

• Be as specific as possibleBe as specific as possible

• Avoid generalitiesAvoid generalities

• Site examplesSite examples

• Name clientsName clients

– all faculty who will work on grantall faculty who will work on grant

– who will replace the project director if that person who will replace the project director if that person leaves during the projectleaves during the project

• Keep it simpleKeep it simple


TricksTricks

• Read funded proposals from similar Read funded proposals from similar institutionsinstitutions

• Keep in touch with organizations who know Keep in touch with organizations who know what is in the pipelinewhat is in the pipeline

• Write an international focus into your mission Write an international focus into your mission statement at your institutionstatement at your institution


More TricksMore Tricks

• Use a sense of urgency when recruiting Use a sense of urgency when recruiting partnershipspartnerships

– Seek a partner and draft a letter of agreementSeek a partner and draft a letter of agreement

– Have the agreement signed by both partnersHave the agreement signed by both partners

– Be sure the agreement encompasses both Be sure the agreement encompasses both components of the IB programcomponents of the IB program

• international business curriculum developmentinternational business curriculum development

• outreachoutreach


TrapsTraps

• Insufficient commitment and follow-through Insufficient commitment and follow-through problemsproblems

• Resource limitationsResource limitations

• Inertia -- faculty resistance to changeInertia -- faculty resistance to change


Contact Person: BIE GrantContact Person: BIE Grant

Name: Susanna C. Easton

E-mail Address: [email protected]

Mailing Address:

U.S. Department of Education, OPEInternational and Foreign Language EducationBusiness and International Education Program1990 K Street, N.W., 6th FloorWashington, DC 20006-8521

Telephone: (202) 502-7628

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/iegps/index.html

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/iegps/index.html

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BIE Grant Application Booklet:

Only Available Online


Web ResourcesWeb Resources

•http://www.grants.govGrants.gov is the web submission system APPLY for

most federal government grants.


• BIE webportal: http://bieweb.msu.edu/


•http://www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsbie

U.S. Dept. of Education’s International Education Programs website

Good Luck with

Your Grant Initiatives!

Questions?

Good Luck with

Your Grant Initiatives!

Questions?

Documents

Applying for Federal Grants