# Presentation: 435898

## Procurement & Grants Office Pre-Application AssistancePresentation 

_***FOR***_
**Funding Opportunity Number PS06-606: Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention Training Centers**
***December 1,  2005***
***Presented by:   Louvern Asante,***
***CDC Procurement and Grants Office***

##  AGENDA

**CDC Grant Application Process**
**Basics of a Successful Grant Application**
**Evaluation Criteria**
**Basics of Effective Proposal Writing**
**Common Errors and Weaknesses Found in Grant Applications**
**Application and Submission Information**
**Packaging Your Application**
**Questions???**

## CDC Grant Application Process

- The Procurement and Grants Office is the central  receipt point for all assistance applications to CDC.
- Applicants have 60 days for submission of application to the Grants Office.
- All funding opportunities are published in Grants.Gov.
- All applications are required to have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from the federal government.
- To obtain a DUNS number access _http://__[www.dunsand](http://www.dunsand/)__bradstreet.com_ or call 1-866-705-5711.

## CDC Grant Application Process

- Program management determines the type of technical/ programmatic review that will be conducted for the application(s).
- Program management will conduct an Independent Review Panel (IRP) for this FOA.
_**Independent Review Panel**_**:  **A panel of persons knowledgeable in the field of endeavor that support is requested, that conducts a thorough and consistent examination of the application. (Internal reviewers)

## CDC Grant Application Process

- All approved/funded applicants’ names and summary statements are submitted to the Grants Office for the award process
- Written notice will be sent to each applicant whose application has been disapproved or has been  recommended for approval, but is _not_ expected to be funded during the current funding cycle
- Applications will be held for reconsideration for no more than _12 months_ in an approved but not-funded status following the date of award

## Basics of a Successful Grant Application

- 1.	The Project Director (Principal Investigator) should meet  all of the qualifications listed in the program announcement .
- ALL grant applications are required to be submitted on time.
- 3.	Tailor your grant application to fit the objectives and funds available.
- Make sure all points in the program announcement are covered in your application

## Basics of a Successful Grant Application

- 5.	Comply with the page limits; include all required forms, e.g., human subjects research assurances, etc. (page limits are stated in Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) or SF 5161).
- Type and size format specifications must be followed or application will be designated as incomplete and will be returned to the applicant organization without review or evaluation.

## Evaluation Criteria

- Evaluation criteria include the following:
- Abstract (not scored)
- Program Description and Training Capability (65 points)
- Training Needs Assessment (40 points)
- General Training Plan (35 points)
- Part-Specific Training Plan (25 points)
- Training Objectives (15 points)
- Evaluation (15 points)
- Training Marketing Plan (5 points)

## Basics of Effective Proposal Writing

*	**	**	**	*_**Before You Begin:**_
- Make sure you have the entire Funding Opportunity Application Proposals (FOA) and the
- 	Application Packet
- Read the entire FOA before proceeding
- Determine whether Your Proposal Meets the Requirements of the FOA
- Review the information you currently have  available, and determine the information you must compile.

## Basics of Effective Proposal Writing	

**Follow the suggested format listed in FOA exactly**!  _Follow the CDC outline_!!
_**Late applications will be considered**__** **__**non-responsive**_

## Common Errors Found in Grant Applications

- Missing signatures on applications
- Missing indirect cost rate agreements
- Incomplete and missing assurance of compliance forms, panel review forms, disclosure forms, tax-exempt status forms, checklists, etc.
- Documents inserted in the wrong section

## Common Errors Found in Grant Applications

- Application not specific to funding
- 	priorities of the FOA
- Application lacks detail
- Insufficient supporting documents
- Insufficient evaluation
- Not following suggested application outline in developing an application

## Common Errors Found in Grant Applications

- Not providing a list of application contents
- Repeating funder’s language verbatim rather than applying funder’s concepts and themes
- Submitting applications that lack consistency between program objectives, activities and the evaluation plan

## Commonly Found Weaknesses

- Insufficient Documentation of Agency’s  Existing Efforts
- Objectives Too Broad or Too Many; Not Time-Phased or Measurable
- Workplan Lacks Sufficient Detail
- Insufficient Discussion of Current Gaps in Services and How Proposed Program Will Fill Those Gaps
- When Provided, Letters of Support not Specific to Application

## Commonly Found Weaknesses

- Inadequate Budget Justifications;
- Line Item Amounts Unrealistic
- Application Contains Misspelled Words; Pages not           Numbered

## Application and Submission Information

**Electronic Submission:**
- CDC strongly encourages the applicant to submit the application electronically by utilizing the forms and instructions posted for this announcement on _**www.Grants.gov**_.
- Registering your organization through _**www.Grants.gov**_ is the first step in submitting applications online.
- Registration information is located in the “Get Started” screen of _**www.Grants.gov**_ and its a one-time registration process that will take three to five days to complete.
- If you have difficulty accessing the forms on-line, you may contact the CDC Procurement and Grants Office Technical Information Management Section staff at (770) 488-2700.
- Additional information such as appendices and attachments must be received in the CDC Procurement and Grants Office by 4:00pm. Eastern Time on the deadline date.

## Packaging Your Proposal

**Electronic & Hardcopy Submissions:**
- Font size 12 points unreduced
- Typewritten; double-spaced
- 8.5 x 11 inches (paper size)
- One inch (page margin size)
- Funding opportunity title and number must appear on each page of the application
- Number each page sequentially, including appendices and attachments
- Provide a complete table of contents
**Hard copy submissions only:**
- Printed only on one side of page
- Held together only by rubber band or metal clips; _**not **_bound in any other way
- Submit one original and two copies
- Ensure the original is on the top of the copied documents

## Websites for Grant Information

- Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance:  _[http://www.cfda.gov/](http://www.cfda.gov/)_
- Grant Resources:  _[http://www.hhs.grants.goverresources/index.htm](http://www.hhs.grants.goverresources/index.htm)_
- OMB Circulars:  _[http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars](http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars)_
- HHS Grantnet:  _[http://www.hhs.govgrantsnet/roadmap/index.html-](http://www.hhs.govgrantsnet/roadmap/index.html-)_

## 

QUESTIONS?????

- QUESTIONS?????