# Presentation: 722853

## Teaching American History 2008 Competition Helpful Hints

- Archived Information

## 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

## 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

## 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

## 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

## 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

## 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

## 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

## ED 424- Grants.Gov View

## 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

## 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

**Notes:**
You may check more than one item in categories.

Estimate the number of students/adults served.

See samples in template

## 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

## Budget and Budget Narrative

**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

## ED 524 Budget Sheet

## 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

## 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

## 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](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

## Appendix 

** **

**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**

## 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