Capstone Project Tip Sheet 

What is a Capstone Project? 

The Capstone Project is a programmatic report due at the end of an Innovation in Nutrition 

Programs and Services (INNU) grantee’s project. It includes materials grantees have created 

so other senior nutrition programs can replicate the project. The Capstone Project will be 

available on the Nutrition and Aging Resource Center (NRCNA) website for individuals to 

review. The information provided in a Capstone Project provides a detailed overview of topics 

such as funding and sustainability, recruitment, tools, advice for replication, frequently asked 

questions, and more. Additionally, appendices are included such as marketing materials, 

contract examples, how-to guides, etc. 

Who creates a Capstone Project? 

INNU demonstration and research grantees develop a Capstone Project. 

Why is a Capstone Project necessary? 

One of the purposes of INNU grants is to create innovative programs and replicate 

them nationwide. Additionally, as new grant opportunities become available, future 

grantees will look for a guide to help support the replication and build upon a new 

project. 

When does a grantee develop the Capstone Project? 

It is recommended that grantees start thinking about developing their Capstone Project in the last year of 

their grant. 

Refer to the INNU Grantee Reporting Calendar. The Capstone Project contains several review processes, as 

follows: 

• Grantees submit first draft to NRCNA TA Liaison.

• NRCNA TA Liaison will propose edits for grantees to review within one month.

• Grantees edit and submit final Capstone Project to NRCNA TA Liaison. The second and final submission

should be submitted without tracked changes (no markup). 

• The Capstone Project including the list of appendices should be submitted as one Microsoft Word 

Document via the template. Each appendix material attachment should be submitted as a separate 

document, and the file name should include the appendix letter and the title of the document (e.g.

Appendix A. Partner Presentation). 
Where are resources located to 

develop a Capstone Project? 

Managing an INNU Grant was created to support 

grantees and provide resources in relation 

to managing a grant. PDFs are available as 

examples of content, and Microsoft Word 

documents are available to download and edit. 

• The Capstone Project Template was developed 

to use as a guide. Grantees may download 

the full report and edit the template to inset 

specific information.

• Use the Capstone Executive Summary to 

provide a quick snapshot of the project (goal, 

objective(s), overview of project and results). 

• The Capstone Project Training is a recorded 

session to answer any additional questions that 

could arise. 

• 508 Compliance Guide provides tips to 

make Microsoft Word documents compliant 

and accessible. Grantees are encouraged 

to make materials 508 compliant, as all 

materials posted on the NRCNA website must 

be compliant. The NRCNA will complete a 

508-check and review when the Capstone 

Project is received. 

Check it out 

today! 

https://acl.gov/senior-nutrition/ 

managing-innu-grant 

Frequently Asked Questions 

• Do grantees need to use a disclaimer on items within the Capstone Project? 

॰ Yes. Grantees will provide the ACL disclaimer on all documents with the INNU grant number specified.

॰ Disclaimer: “This project was supported in part by grant number 90XX#### from the Administration 

for Community Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. 

Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their 

findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official 

ACL policy.”

• If grantee work will be published through a journal, how does a grantee do this without jeopardizing the 

information? 

॰ It is recommended to exclude information in the Capstone Project that may jeopardize research. Per 

the Notice of Funding Opportunity, products that are funded are to made publicly available. Grantees 

could indicate that they may be contacted by other organizations interested in licensing specific 

products. 

॰ E.g.: In regards to data, modify the Capstone Project to include the general highlights, versus detailed 

research findings or in-depth analysis.

• How do grantees decide which materials to include in the appendices?

॰ Include only materials that would be helpful for someone to replicate the project; marketing 

materials, contract examples, how-to process guides, and intake forms would be examples to 

include. 

॰ Identify each attachment in alphabetical order (e.g.: Appendix A, B, C, etc.) 

॰ Include title of document and one-sentence description of the material. 

• What type of references should grantees include in the Capstone Project? 

॰ List any references using American Medical Association (AMA) Citation. 

This project was supported in part by grant number 90PPNU0002 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human 

Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and 

conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.