Archived Information

Application Tips 2008

**Slide 1: Teaching American History 2008 Competition Helpful Hints**

**Slide 2: Make sure you are eligible!**

-   Read the application carefully

-   Partner with non-profit organizations, colleges or universities, or
    libraries and museums with deep knowledge of history

-   Grants must be administered by public schools

**Slide 3: Make sure you are eligible!**

-   Charter schools should review their status as an LEA with their
    State.

-   Consider involving high-need teachers and LEAs (this can help
    satisfy the Competitive Preference Priority)

-   Private school teachers can be included in your training programs,
    but funding cannot go directly to the private school

Slide 4: Assemble a Proposal Development Team

Who

-   Content person(s) including partners

-   Budget person

-   Support person(s)

-   Evaluator

Why

-   Collaborate with partners to understand the plan and activities

-   Design Memoranda of Understanding -- who will be responsible for
    what activities?

-   Begin working as a team

Slide 5: Readability

Write for the reader:

-   Write in clear sentences

-   Highlight or bold key sections

-   Use a format that is easy to follow

-   Avoid jargon, unclear acronyms

-   Avoid unnecessary attachments that will just add to the length and
    bulk of your application

Slide 6: Think about \$\$\$

-   Ask for enough money to meet objectives during the period of
    performance

-   Include funds for partnerships and for annual project meetings

-   Think about sustainability after project ends

Note: Funding limits stated in announcement are limits, not required
amounts you must request

**Slide 7: Participants**

# Indicate the number of participants to be served per year

# Indicate the grade levels of participants

# Participating teachers should have a history teaching assignment

# A participant is defined as an unduplicated teacher that has participated in 50% or more of the project activities provided

**Slide 8: Format**

-   Provide a one-page abstract, then a one-page table of contents to
    introduce the narrative

-   Provide detailed budget (ED Form 524) and budget narrative that
    includes both the LEA and partner budgets

-   Include detailed support for proposed partnerships in the appendix

-   Submit resumes under indicated section in the appendix

-   Limit the narrative to 25 double-spaced, standard-type pages

**Slide 9: ED 424- Grants.Gov View**

**Slide 10: ED 424 Tips**

-   Use legal name of applicant LEA

-   Authorizing Official means Superintendent of LEA in most cases

-   Total amount requested will be only first year funds

-   Use Project Director information when possible- not grant writer or
    partners

**Slide 11: Abstract**

Limit abstract to one page and include:

-   Project title

-   Goals, objectives, and expected outcomes

-   Number of teachers to be served

-   Name of applicant LEA or Consortium members

-   Name of major partners

-   4-5 sentence of the content and professional development format to
    be provided to project participants

**Slide 12: Table of Contents**

-   Complete last

-   Limit to one page

-   List all major components of application

-   Check that page numbers are accurate

-   You may include a separate Table of Contents for the Appendices

**Slide 13: Budget and Budget Narrative**

-   ED Form 524

> --Budget Information - Non construction programs
>
> --A detailed 3 year budget
>
> --An estimated total budget for years 4 & 5 if applying for the full
> 60 months

-   Narrative

> --Basis for costs
>
> --Approved indirect cost rate
>
> --Need approved rate before using
>
> --Cost of evaluation
>
> --Relation of costs to activities

**Slide 14: ED 524 Budget Sheet**

**Slide 15: ED 524 Budget Sheet Tips**

**Stipends:**

-   Fringe Benefits and Indirect Costs cannot be assessed against
    Stipends

-   Stipends are solely for teachers participating in TAH activities

**Contractual vs. Personnel Costs:**

-   The Personnel category is for employees of the LEA only

-   Personnel costs associated with any contracts should be listed in
    the Contractual line

**Slide 16: ED 524 Budget Sheet Tips**

**Equipment vs. Supplies**

-   Equipment costs are \$5,000 per unit and have a useable life of more
    than a year

-   Supplies are consumable, expendable, and are relatively low cost
    items

-   The LEA definition for of equipment/supplies can be used if it is
    different

**Slide 17: ED 524 Budget Sheet Tips**

**Indirect Costs**

-   Indirect costs can only be assessed against the total direct costs.

-   You must have an approved rate before charging indirect costs

-   If you have questions about your acquiring an approved rate, Visit
    <http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/fipao/icgindex.html>

-   You can also call Katrina McDonald at (202) 377-3838 or your SEA
    representative

**Slide 18: Appendix**

-   What to include:

> --List of consortium members/partners
>
> --Letters of commitment/ memoranda of understanding from consortium
> members/partners
>
> --Evidence of previous successes

--Evidence of student enrollment

**Slide 19: Get "fresh eyes" to read the application**

-   Take one last look

-   Use someone not involved in the process

-   Look for omissions and errors

-   Make sure all selection criteria have been satisfactorily addressed