NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Federal Agency Name: AmeriCorps 

Funding Opportunity Title: FY 2022 AmeriCorps Seniors’ Senior Companion 

Program Quarter 3 Continuation and Renewal

Announcement Type: Initial Announcement

Assistance Listing Number: 94.016

Disclosure: This Notice is for current grantees going into a renewal application (Year 1) or 

continuations applications (Years 2 or 3). Publication of this Notice of Funding Opportunity 

(Notice) does not obligate AmeriCorps to award any specific number of grants or to commit 

any particular amount of funding. The actual level and timing of grant funding will be subject 

to the availability of appropriations.

Important Dates – For all AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program continuation and 

renewal applications

• Applications are due no later than Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern 

Time. 

• Successful applicants will be issued awards in March 2022.

Contents

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION.................................................................................................. 3

A.1. Purpose of AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program Funding – .............................................3

A.2. Funding Priorities ..................................................................................................................................3

A.3. Performance Goals or Expected Outcomes...........................................................................................4

A.4. Program Authority .................................................................................................................................4

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION ................................................................................. 5

B.1. Estimated Available Funds ....................................................................................................................5

B.2. Estimated Award Amount......................................................................................................................5

B.3. Period of Performance ...........................................................................................................................5

B.4. Type of Award .......................................................................................................................................5

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION ........................................................................................... 5

C.1. Eligible Applicants.................................................................................................................................5

C.2. Cost Sharing or Match ...........................................................................................................................6

C.3. Other Eligibility Requirements..............................................................................................................6

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION ..................................................... 7

D.1. Address to Request an Application Package .........................................................................................7

D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission ......................................................................................7

D.2.a. Application Content................................................................................................................................... 7

D.2.b. Page Limits................................................................................................................................................ 7

D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)..................................................8

D.4. Submission Dates and Times.................................................................................................................9

D.4.a. Application Submission Deadline.............................................................................................................. 9

D.4.b. Additional Documents Deadline................................................................................................................ 9
D.4.c. Late Applications....................................................................................................................................... 9

D.5. Intergovernmental Review...................................................................................................................10

D.6. Funding Restrictions............................................................................................................................10

D.6.a. Award Funding Requirements................................................................................................................. 10

D.6.b. Indirect Costs........................................................................................................................................... 10

D.6.c. Pre-Award Costs...................................................................................................................................... 10

D.6.d. Budget Guidance ..................................................................................................................................... 10

D.7. Other Submission Requirements .........................................................................................................11

D.7.a. Electronic Application Submission in eGrants........................................................................................ 11

D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents...................................................................................................... 11

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION ..................................................................... 12

E.1. Review Criteria ....................................................................................................................................12

E.1.a. Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................. 13

E.1.b. Program Design....................................................................................................................................... 13

E.1.c. Notice Priority: ........................................................................................................................................ 14

E.1.d. Work Plan ................................................................................................................................................ 14

E.1.e. Recruitment and Development of Volunteers........................................................................................... 14

E.1.f. Organizational Capability:....................................................................................................................... 15

E.1.g. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy:............................................................................................... 16

E.1.h. Other - Evaluation Plan ........................................................................................................................... 16

E.2. Review and Selection Process..............................................................................................................16

E.2.a. Initial Application Compliance and Eligibility Review ........................................................................... 16

E.2.b. Application Review .................................................................................................................................. 17

E.2.c. Applicant Clarification............................................................................................................................. 17

E.2.d. Pre-Award Risk Assessment..................................................................................................................... 17

E.2.e. Consideration of Integrity and Performance System Information ........................................................... 18

E.2.f. Selection for Funding................................................................................................................................ 19

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION .......................................... 19

F.1. Federal Award Notices.........................................................................................................................19

F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements..............................................................................20

F.2.a. Uniform Guidance.................................................................................................................................... 20

F.2.b. Requests for Improper Payment Information........................................................................................... 20

F.2.c. AmeriCorps Terms and Conditions.......................................................................................................... 20

F.2.d. National Service Criminal History Check Requirements ........................................................................ 20

F.2.e. Official Guidance ..................................................................................................................................... 21

F.3. Use of Material.....................................................................................................................................21

F.4. Reporting ..............................................................................................................................................21

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS............................................................. 22

H. OTHER INFORMATION .................................................................................................... 22

I. IMPORTANT NOTICES ....................................................................................................... 22
FULL TEXT OF THE NOTICE

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1. Purpose of AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program Funding –

All AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program continuation and renewal applications

see Sections A1. – A4.

AmeriCorps brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges through 

national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers 

serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps 

make service a cornerstone of our national culture.

Established in 1974, the AmeriCorps Seniors’ Senior Companion Program engages adults 

age 55 and over to provide companionship and support to other adults in need of extra 

assistance to remain at home or in the community for as long as possible. AmeriCorps 

Seniors’ volunteers in the Senior Companion program serve an average of 20 hours per 

week, with most of the volunteer service taking place in the homes of their clients. Among 

other activities, they provide companionship to ease loneliness and social isolation, assist 

with transportation and light chores, help to serve as eyes and ears to professionals who can 

intervene in the case of medical or other deterioration on the part of the clients, and give 

support to informal caregivers. While serving, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in the Senior 

Companion Program improve their own lives by staying active and civically engaged.

A.2. Funding Priorities

Incumbent projects that currently receive an AmeriCorps Seniors’ Senior Companion 

Program grant are invited to submit applications for the AmeriCorps Seniors’ Senior 

Companion Program grant sponsored by their organization. Incumbents are invited to apply 

for grant renewal or continuation based on the determination that your project is continuing 

to meet the eligibility criteria as detailed in this document.

AmeriCorps Seniors funding priorities for this grant cycle are:

• AmeriCorps is committed in this grant competition to serving more communities that 

have faced historical inequities and the organizations that support those communities, 

such as, programs and organizations that are led by Black, Indigenous, and People of 

Color (BIPOC) and that actively address the impacts of structural and institutional 

inequities, advance racial equity, and increase opportunities in order to achieve 

sustainable change in communities. Grant applicants are also encouraged to include 

work plans that advance justice and equality in areas such as Healthy Futures. 

• AmeriCorps Seniors encourages applicants to focus on efforts to help local 

communities respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants may 

propose programming in the healthy futures focus area, and other relevant priority 

areas, to aid communities as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• AmeriCorps Senior prioritizes grant making in the Healthy Futures focus area 

identified by the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended by the

Serve America Act. Under this focus area, grants must address health needs within 
communities by focusing specifically on independent living (aging in place), and 

access to health care. Activities may include supporting the ability of homebound, 

older adults and individuals with disabilities to live independently.

To receive priority consideration, applicants must show that the priority area is a significant 

part of the program focus and intended outcomes and must include a high-quality program 

design. Proposing programs that receive priority consideration does not guarantee funding. 

A.3. Performance Goals or Expected Outcomes

National Performance Measures 

AmeriCorps expects applicants to use National Performance Measures as part of a 

comprehensive performance measurement strategy that relies on both performance and 

evaluation data to learn from their work and make tactical and strategic adjustments to 

achieve their goals. 

Applicants are required to use the specific performance measures outlined in this Notice. For 

more information, please refer to the National Performance Measures Instructions at 

http://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/2021_01_06_AppendixBPMInstructionsSCP_ACS.pdf. Program-specific evaluation requirements can be found at 

https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/scp, filter to performance measures.

Applicants must identify a Primary Focus Area. Work plans must include at least one service 

activity in the selected Primary Focus Area. The Primary Focus Area should represent the area 

in which the incumbent aims to make the most impact.

All proposed volunteers and the intended impact of their service must be represented in the 

narratives, in a Performance Measure and the budget. 

This funding opportunity requires applicants to demonstrate cost-effective practices in 

achieving performance goals through the services described in the proposed work plans. 

Applications must include work plans that meet the following minimum requirements: For 

every $6,500 in annual base federal funding, at least one Volunteer Service Year’s (VSY’s) 

worth of service must be incorporated in work plans, and must produce: 

National Performance Measure outcomes in the Healthy Futures focus area; or

*Volunteer Service Year (VSY): VSY is a budget term which equals 1044 service hours. The 

standardized stipend cost per VSY is calculated by multiplying the number of hours served by 

the current cost per hour for the stipend (1044 hours x $3.00 per hour).

A.4. Program Authority

Awards under this Notice are authorized by the National and Community Service Act of 1990, 

as amended, (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.) and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as 

amended (42 U.S.C. 4950 et seq.).
B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

All AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program continuation and renewal applications

please see Sections B.1. – B.4.

B.1. Estimated Available Funds

AmeriCorps Seniors anticipates approximately $45 million for FY 2022 Senior Companion 

Program awards. The actual level of funding is subject to the availability of appropriations. 

B.2. Estimated Award Amount

Award amounts will vary, as determined by the scope of the projects. AmeriCorps Seniors 

expects to make awards in the range of $0.00 to $875,000.00.

B.3. Period of Performance

Successful applicants will be issued awards by March 30, 2022.

AmeriCorps Seniors anticipates making three-year grant awards. 

Continuation funding for years 2 and 3 is not guaranteed and may be dependent upon:

• Satisfactory performance that signals the grantee is on track to achieve its proposed 

performance measures at the end of the grant;

• Demonstrated capacity to manage the grant;

• Compliance with grant requirements, including terms and conditions, criminal history 

checks, reporting and securing the required non-federal share; and/or;

• Availability of Congressional appropriations.

AmeriCorps Seniors reserves the right to adjust the amount of an award or elect not to 

continue funding.

B.4. Type of Award 

Award recipients will be assigned to an AmeriCorps Portfolio Manager, who will be 

responsible for reviewing recipient performance, providing training and technical assistance, 

and serving as the primary point of contact for the AmeriCorps Seniors grant. 

The FY 2022 Senior Companion Program grants will be awarded on a cost reimbursement 

basis.

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

All AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program renewal and continuation applications 

see sections C.1. – C.3.

C.1. Eligible Applicants

Through this Notice, only AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program grantees who 

currently receive federal funds for an AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program grant 

may apply for funding. 

The following non-federal entities (all of which are defined in 2 CFR 200.69) are eligible to 

apply: 
• Indian tribes 

• Institutions of higher education 

• Local governments 

• Nonprofit organizations 

• States governments

In addition to Indian tribes as defined in 2 CFR 200.1, tribal organizations that are controlled, 

sanctioned, or chartered by federally recognized Indian tribes are also eligible to apply. If an 

entity applies for an award as a tribal organization that is controlled or chartered by one or 

more Indian tribes, the organization must provide copies of, or links to, documentation which 

demonstrates that the organization is controlled or chartered by a federally recognized 

Indian tribe. If an entity applies as an organization sanctioned by a federally recognized tribe, 

or multiple specific federally recognized tribes, it must submit a sanctioning resolution, 

adopted by the Tribal Council (or comparable tribal governing body) of each Indian tribe. 

The resolution(s) must identify the entity applying for an AmeriCorps Seniors award by name 

as a tribal organization that is sanctioned by the Indian tribe(s) for the purpose of applying for 

AmeriCorps Seniors funding (or federal grant funds generally). 

Entities must have a valid SAM registration and DUNS number to receive an award. See 

Section D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) for more 

information.

C.2. Cost Sharing or Match

Applicants are required to match funds equal to ten percent of their requested program 

budget. The applicant’s match can be non-AmeriCorps cash and/or in-kind contributions. 

Applicants must indicate whether the match is proposed or secured. See Section D.6. 

Funding Restrictions for more information.

C.3. Other Eligibility Requirements

Applications that propose to engage in activities that are prohibited under AmeriCorps’

statutes, regulations, or the terms and conditions of its awards are not eligible to receive 

AmeriCorps funding.

Note that under appropriations provisions annually enacted by Congress, if AmeriCorps is 

aware that any corporation has any unpaid federal tax liability

• that has been assessed

• for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed 

• that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the authority 

responsible for collecting the tax liability

that corporation is not eligible for an award under this Notice. However, this exclusion will not 

apply to a corporation which a federal agency has considered for suspension or debarment 

and has made a determination that suspension or debarment is not necessary to protect the 

interests of the federal government.

Pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an organization described in the Internal 

Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. 501 (c)(4) that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible 

to apply for AmeriCorps Seniors funding.
D. Application and Submission Information 

All AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program Renewal and Continuation applications

see sections D1. – D.7.

This Notice should be read together with the AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion 

Program regulations, 45 CFR §§ Part – 2551, AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program

Grant Application Instructions, Appendix A: List of Funding Opportunities, and the 

AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program Performance Measures. These documents 

are available online at https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/scp

D.1. Address to Request an Application Package

All information associated with this funding opportunity is available through the AmeriCorps

Seniors Funding Opportunities webpages. Applicants should refer to 

http://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/scp for more information and instructions on how 

to fully respond to this Notice. Applicants can also send an email to the assigned Regional 

Office for a printed copy of the Notice and Guidance. AmeriCorps also offers live text chat at 

https://americorps.gov/contact

D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission

D.2.a. Application Content 

Complete applications must include the following elements: 

• Standard Form 424 (SF-424) Face Sheet: This is automatically generated when 

applicants complete the data elements in the eGrants system. 

• Narrative Sections: 

o Executive Summary: This is a brief description of the proposed program. 

Executive Summaries must match the language templates as provided in 

application instructions. Executive Summaries of all compliant applications are 

made available to the public following grant awards.

o Program Design

o Organizational Capability

o Other 

o Cost-Effectiveness & Budget Adequacy

• Standard Form 424A Budget

• Performance Measures

• Authorization, Assurances, and Certifications 

(https://egrants.cns.gov/cnsmisc/ECERTS.HTM, and 

https://egrants.cns.gov/cnsmisc/EASSUR.HTM)

D.2.b. Page Limits

Renewal applications may not exceed 15 double-spaced pages as the pages print out from 

eGrants. The application sections that count towards the page limit are the:

• SF-424 Face Sheet 

• Executive Summary 

• Program Design, Organizational Capability, Cost-Effectiveness & Budget Adequacy, 

and Other narratives.
The application page limit does not include the Budget, Performance Measures, or any 

required additional documents. 

Please note that the length of the application as a word processing document may differ from 

the length of the document printed out from eGrants. The character limits in eGrants do not 

align with page limits set in the Notice. AmeriCorps Seniors strongly encourages 

applicants to print out the application from the “Review and Submit” tab in eGrants 

prior to submission in order to confirm that the application does not exceed the page 

limit.

AmeriCorps Seniors will not consider the results of any alternative printing methods when 

determining if an application complies with the page limit. Reviewers will also not consider 

material that is over the page limit, even if eGrants allows applicants to enter and submit 

additional text.

D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) 

All applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) at

https://www.sam.gov/SAM/ and maintain an active SAM registration until the application 

process is complete. If an applicant is awarded a grant, it must maintain an active SAM 

registration throughout the life of the award. See the SAM Quick Guide for Grantees at:

SAM.gov | Home

SAM registration must be renewed annually. AmeriCorps Seniors suggests that applicants 

finalize a new registration or renew an existing one at least three weeks before the 

application deadline, to allow time to resolve any issues that may arise. Applicants must use 

their SAM-registered legal name and address on all grant applications to AmeriCorps

Seniors.

AmeriCorps Seniors will not make awards to entities that do not have a valid SAM registration 

and DUNS. If an applicant has not fully complied with these requirements by the time 

AmeriCorps Seniors is ready to make a Federal award, AmeriCorps Seniors may determine 

that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis 

for making a Federal award to another applicant.

Applications must include an Employer Identification Number.

Applications must include a DUNS number. Applicants can obtain a DUNS number at no cost 

by calling the DUNS number request line at (866) 705-5711 or by applying online at the 

DUNS Request Service. AmeriCorps Seniors recommends registering at least 30 days before 

the application due date. 

The Federal government is implementing Unique Entity Identifiers (UEI) as part of the SAM 

registration process to eventually replace DUNS numbers. AmeriCorps Seniors may ask 

applicants to add the UEI to their application as part of the clarification or pre-award 

process. AmeriCorps Seniors is adding a field to capture the UEI in eGrants. If you already 

have a UEI and the UEI field is available in eGrants, you can enter it at the time you submit 

your application. 
D.4. Submission Dates and Times

D.4.a. Application Submission Deadline

Applications are due not later than Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. 

AmeriCorps Seniors will not consider applications received after the deadline, except as 

noted in Section D.4.c. Late Applications. AmeriCorps Seniors reserves the right to extend 

the submission deadline. AmeriCorps Seniors will post a notification in the event of an 

extended deadline on AmeriCorps Seniors’ website. 

AmeriCorps’ recommends that applicants create an eGrants account and begin the 

application at least three weeks before the deadline. Applicants should draft the application 

as a Word document, then copy and paste the text into the appropriate eGrants field no later 

than 10 days before the deadline.

D.4.b. Additional Documents Deadline

Additional documents are due by the application submission deadline. See Sections D.4.a. 

Application Submission Deadline and D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents for more 

information.

D.4.c. Late Applications

All applications received after the submission deadline published in this Notice of Tuesday, 

November 30, 2021 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time are presumed to be non-compliant. To 

overcome this presumption, the applicant must:

• submit a written explanation or justification of the extenuating circumstance(s) that 

caused the delay, including: 

o the timing and specific cause(s) of the delay

o the ticket number if a request for assistance was submitted to the National 

Service Hotline

o any information provided to the applicant by the National Service Hotline

o any other documentation or evidence that supports the justification

• ensure that AmeriCorps Seniors receives the written explanation or justification and 

any other evidence that substantiates the claimed extenuating circumstance(s), via 

email to AmeriCorpsSeniors@cns.gov no later than 24 hours after the application 

deadline of not later than Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time as 

stated in the Notice.

Communication with AmeriCorps Seniors staff, including an applicant’s portfolio manager, is 

not a substitute for a written explanation or justification of the extenuating circumstance that 

caused the delay as outlined above. Applicants are required to continue working in eGrants, 

AmeriCorps web-based application system and with the National Service Hotline to submit 

the application. 

Please note: AmeriCorps Seniors will not consider an advance request to submit a late 

application. Please carefully review and follow the guidance in this section and submit your 

application as soon as possible.
D.5. Intergovernmental Review

This Notice is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal 

Programs.” 

D.6. Funding Restrictions 

D.6.a. Award Funding Requirements

Awards under this Notice are subject to cost share or matching requirements. The amount of 

AmeriCorps Seniors funding provided will be limited to at least 10 percent of the total 

allowable costs for the funded activity, as determined under 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E-Cost 

Principles. 

There are also limitations on the use of federal funds to recover indirect costs. As provided in 

2 CFR 200.306(c), unrecovered indirect costs may be included as part of an applicant’s cost 

sharing or matching requirements. 

D.6.b. Indirect Costs

Application budgets may include indirect costs. Based on qualifying factors, applicants may 

either use a federally-approved indirect cost rate, a 10 percent de minimis rate of modified 

total direct costs, or may claim certain costs directly, as outlined in 2 CFR 200.413. States, 

local governments, and Indian tribes may use previously approved indirect cost allocation 

plans. All methods must be applied consistently across all federal awards. Applicants that 

have a federal negotiated indirect cost rate or that will be using the 10 percent de minimis

rate must enter that information in the Organization section in eGrants. The instructions for 

how to enter the organization’s indirect cost rate are located here: eGrants Indirect Cost Rate 

User Instructions. Applicants should not submit documentation addressing the indirect cost 

rate agreement via email.

Please note: To request a Federally negotiated indirect cost rate agreement, when 

AmeriCorps is the applicable cognizant agency for an organization’s indirect costs, the 

applicant must submit a request to IndirectCostRate@cns.gov. The applicant may also obtain 

instructions and additional information by contacting the email address above.

D.6.c. Pre-Award Costs

Pre-award costs, where authorized, are allowed after receiving written approval from the 

Office of Grant Administration.

D.6.d. Budget Guidance 

All applicants must include a line item in the budget for training of the Project Director, which 

may include any training events approved by AmeriCorps Seniors. Applicants may budget for 

an additional staff member to attend the training events if funds permit. The recommended 

amount, for budgeting purposes is $1,000 per year. Long distance travel funds may be rebudgeted later if not fully spent depending on actual training activities.
D.7. Other Submission Requirements

D.7.a. Electronic Application Submission in eGrants

Applicants must submit applications electronically via eGrants, AmeriCorps’ web-based 

application system. AmeriCorps Seniors recommends that applicants create an eGrants 

account and begin the application at least three weeks before the deadline. Applicants 

should draft the application as a Word document, then copy and paste the text into the 

appropriate eGrants field no later than 10 days before the deadline.

The applicant’s authorized representative must be the person who submits the application. 

The authorized representative must use their own eGrants account to sign and submit the 

application. A copy of the governing body’s authorization for this official representative to 

sign must be on file in the applicant’s office.

Applicants should contact the National Service Hotline at (800) 942-2677 or via eGrants 

Questions if they have a problem when they create an account, prepare, or submit the 

application. National Service Hotline hours are posted at 

https://questions.americorps.gov/app/ask.

Be prepared to provide the application ID, organization’s name, and the competition to 

which the organization is applying. If the issue cannot be resolved by the deadline, applicants 

must continue working with the National Service Hotline to submit via eGrants.

If circumstances make it impossible for an applicant to submit in eGrants, applicants may 

send a paper copy of the application via overnight carrier to the address below. Applicants 

must include a written explanation and any other documentation or evidence that support 

their inability to submit their application electronically. 

AmeriCorps

ATTN: Office of Grant Administration (OGA)/ FY 2022 AmeriCorps Seniors’ Senior 

Companion Q3 Application 

250 E Street, SW, Suite 300

Washington, DC 20525

Please use a non-U.S. Postal Service carrier to avoid security-related delays. All deadlines 

and requirements in this Notice also apply to paper applications. AmeriCorps Seniors

does not accept applications submitted via fax or email.

D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents 

Applicants are required to submit the following additional documents by the application 

submission deadline:

• All applicants who are submitting a Year 1 renewal application are required to submit

an Operational and Financial Management Survey (OFMS) located at: OFMS form.

Please submit the OFMS as a Word document. Forms submitted as a PDF or any other 

document format may not be accepted.

• Diversity Questionarie – this is required for all renewals and continuations. 

Failure to submit the required additional documents by the deadline will have a negative 

effect on the assessment of your application.
Additional documents must be emailed to AmeriCorpsSeniors@cns.gov with the following 

subject line: “Legal Applicant Name” – “Application ID Number.” Emails should include:

• The legal applicant name and its point of contact information

• The application ID number

• A list of documents that are attached to the email

• Individually attached files that are clearly labeled, and that include the legal applicant 

name and application ID number within the heading of each document. To ensure 

that all required additional documents are received, please provide each document 

as an individual file. Please do not send all documents as one scanned file.

• If the size of an applicant’s files requires multiple emails, please also include an 

ordering system in the subject line, such as “(1 of 3).”

Do not submit any items that are not requested in this Notice and Application 

Instructions, AmeriCorps Seniors will not review or return them.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

All AmeriCorps Seniors’ Senior Companion Program Renewal Year 1 applications see 

Sections E.1 – E.2. 

Continuation applications should not update any part of E.1.a-j. unless required by Portfolio 

Manager to ensure application reflects the actual service of AmeriCorps Seniors’ Senior 

Companion Program volunteers. All continuation applications must comply with all elements 

under Section E.2.

E.1. Review Criteria 

Applications should include a well-designed plan with clear and compelling justifications for 

receiving the requested funds. Reviewers will assess the quality of applications by using the 

selection criteria described below and will rate them accordingly. 

Categories/Subcategories

Executive Summary

Program Design

• Strengthening Communities

• Description of Equity and Inclusion

• Performance Measures/Workplans

• Funding Priority/Focus Area

• Recruitment and Development

Organizational Capability 

• Program Management

• Organizational Capability

Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy 

Other- Evaluation Plan
E.1.a. Executive Summary 

Please fill in the blanks of these sentences to complete the Executive Summary. Do not 

deviate from the template below.

“The [Name of the organization] proposes to have [Number of] AmeriCorps Seniors 

volunteers who will [service activities the members will be doing] in [the locations the 

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will serve]. The primary focus area of this project is [fill in 

AmeriCorps Focus Area]. At the end of the three-year grant, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers 

will be responsible for [fill in the anticipated outcome (s)]. The AmeriCorps federal investment 

of $ [fill in the annual federal grant amount or the requested amount] will be supplemented 

by $ [fill in the anticipated level of non-federal resources].” 

E.1.b. Program Design 

Reviewers will consider the quality of the application’s response to the criteria below. Do not 

assume all sub-criteria are of equal value.

The Strengthening Communities narrative shall address: 

• The proposed interventions are responsive to the identified community problem(s). 

• The applicant’s proposed interventions are clearly articulated including the design, 

dosage, target population, and roles of AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers. The 

applicant’s intervention is likely to lead to the outcomes identified in the applicant’s 

work plans. 

• The expected outcomes articulated in the Strengthening Communities narrative and 

Performance Measures represent meaningful progress in addressing the community 

problems identified by the applicant. 

• The rationale for utilizing AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers to deliver the intervention(s), 

addressing the community need is reasonable.

• How the service of AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will produce significant 

contributions to existing efforts to address the stated problem. 

• For incumbent organizations, if the anticipated outcomes (Performance Measures) 

were not met in the previous three-year grant cycle and those same outcomes are 

included in this application, include what actions will be taken to meet those 

outcomes under this new award. 

The section on Description of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) 

shall address (to be included in the Strengthening Communities Narrative):

• Provide the applicant’s (organizations or institution’s) definitions of diversity, equity 

and inclusion AND share activities the organization is engaged in related to 

diversity, equity and inclusion.

• Describe how you will ensure your project engages a diverse and inclusive group of 

volunteers.

• Describe how you will ensure your project serves members of your community 

through an equity lens.

• Include demographic, income, and additional relevant information about the 

communities you’ll be serving.

• Complete the Diversity Questionnaire, a requirement for all renewals and 

continuations. The Questionnaire is currently undergoing clearance. Applicants are 
required to routinely check for posting and include Questionnaire as part of its 

application materials.

E.1.c. Notice Priority:

• The applicant proposed program fits within one or more of the AmeriCorps Seniors 

funding priorities as outlined in the Funding Priorities section and Focus Area.

E.1.d. Work Plan (series of Performance Measures) are to include:

• Description of the community problem being addressed by the individual 

performance measure. 

• Description of the service activities that address the community problem. 

• Description of the intended outcome of the service activity. 

• Each Performance Measure logically connects the four major elements to each other 

and are all aligned with National Performance Measures.

1. The community need(s) identified

2. The service activities that will be carried out by AmeriCorps Seniors 

volunteers

3. The instrument description and data collection plans

4. Work plans include target numbers that lead to outcomes or outputs, and 

are appropriate for the total number of volunteers assigned to the 

Performance Measure 

• The service activities that are defined in each Performance Measure must include the 

intervention the AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers will implement or deliver, including: 

o The duration of the intervention (e.g., the total number of weeks, sessions or 

months of the intervention) 

o The dosage of the intervention (e.g., the number of hours per session or sessions 

per week) 

o The target population for the intervention (e.g., disconnected seniors/youth, third 

graders at a certain reading proficiency level) 

o The measurable outputs that result from delivering the intervention (i.e. number of 

beneficiaries served, types and number of activities conducted). If applicable, 

identify which National Performance Measures will be used as output indicators

o Outcomes that demonstrate changes in knowledge/skill, attitude, behavior, or 

condition that occur because of the intervention. If applicable, identify which 

National Performance 

Measures will be used as outcome indicators.

• All proposed AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers must be included in at least one 

outcome-based Performance Measure.

E.1.e. Recruitment and Development of Volunteers 

Reviewers will assess the extent to which the proposed project demonstrates a plan and the 

organization’s infrastructure to provide for effective volunteer recruitment and management 

through the following criteria:

• Describe how the proposed recruitment strategy is a strategic response to the 

demographics in the community served.

• Demonstrate a plan and infrastructure to ensure volunteers received training needed 

to succeed in the service activities described in the Performance Measures.
• Describe the demographics of the community served and plans to recruit AmeriCorps 

Seniors volunteers from geographic or demographic communities in which the 

program operates. This could include but not limited to the following:

a. Volunteers from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and Other People of Color) 

communities

b. Volunteers from LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and 

Questioning) communities 

c. Individuals with varying degrees of English language proficiency

d. Individuals with disabilities

e. Veterans and military family members as volunteers

• Demonstrate a plan and adequate infrastructure to retain and recognize volunteers. 

This includes:

a. An explanation of how the applicant will foster an inclusive service culture 

where different backgrounds, talents, and capabilities are welcome retain and 

recognize volunteers.

b. A description of how engaged volunteers will remain active over the course of 

grant funding. 

• Demonstrated a plan for developing and growing a culture of inclusion at volunteer 

stations to ensure volunteer station supervisors who are involved in the recruitment of 

volunteers are invested in address community disparities and the root causes of 

biases in recruitment efforts. 

E.1.f. Organizational Capability:

Program Management

Reviewers will consider the extent to which the applicant demonstrates:

• Narratives describe the plans and infrastructure to ensure management of volunteer 

stations are in compliance with the program regulations

• Demonstrated plan to address culture of volunteer stations to be safe inclusive spaces 

for diverse volunteers.

• Narratives demonstrate plans and infrastructure to develop and/or oversee volunteer 

stations to ensure that volunteers are performing their assigned service activities,

including 

a. Sufficient guidance and support of AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers for provide 

effective service.

b. Adequate training and preparation of station supervisors to follow AmeriCorps 

Seniors program regulations, priorities, and expectations.

Organizational Capability

• Describe the organizations commitment to equity when addressing critical 

communities needs reflected in the organizations mission and vision, as well as the 

applications Performance Measures.

• Describe the plans and infrastructure to provide sound programmatic and fiscal 

oversight (both financial and in-kind) and day-to-day operational support to ensure 

the following:

a. Compliance with program requirements (statutes, regulations, and applicable 

OMB circulars); Accountability, and Efficient and effective use of available 

resources. 
b. Plans to engage non-federal funding sources for sustainability of 

programming.

• Narratives clearly define paid staff positions, including identification of current staff 

assigned to the project (name, title, and brief position description) and how these 

positions will ensure the accomplishment of program objectives. 

• Describe your agencies experience with, and/or plans for diversity, equity, and 

inclusion within your organization. This can include the inclusion of diversity on the 

Board of Directors, agency staff and leadership, and/or volunteers.

• Narratives demonstrate organizational capacity to develop and implement internal 

policies and operating procedures to provide governance and manage risk, such as 

accounting, personnel management, and purchasing. 

E.1.g. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy:

Reviewers will consider the extent to which the proposal:

• Has a reasonable cost per volunteer in proposed work plan that lead to National 

Performance Measure requirements (See Appendix B and section A.3 of the Notice).

• Has plans and infrastructure to secure the non-federal support for program 

sustainability-including dedicated staff, grant proposal processes and other plans.

E.1.h. Other - Evaluation Plan 

Evaluation is a tool for improving a program and increasing its ability to serve people more 

efficiently and effectively. To ensure the applicant has a quality evaluation plan, describe the 

following:

• A description of the applicant’s data collection system and how it is sufficient to collect 

high quality performance measurement data. If the applicant does not yet have a data 

collection system, describe the plan and timeline for developing a high-quality system 

during the propose planning period.

• A description of how the applicant will use performance data.

For more information, about evaluation plans and data collection methods, please visit the 

AmeriCorps Evaluation Resources: https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/evaluationresources

E.2. Review and Selection Process

AmeriCorps Seniors will engage Staff Reviewers with relevant knowledge and expertise to 

assess and provide input on the eligible applications. The review and selection process are

intended to produce a diversified set of high-quality programs that represent the priorities 

and strategic considerations described in this Notice. The determinations made by 

AmeriCorps Seniors reviewers may be different from what the applicant self-determined 

upon submission of its application. The stages of the review and selection process follow:

E.2.a. Initial Application Compliance and Eligibility Review

AmeriCorps Seniors will conduct an initial Compliance and Eligibility Review to determine if 

an application meets the eligibility requirements published in this Notice and advances to the 

next stage of the review process. 

An application is compliant if the applicant: 

• Is an eligible organization
• Applied by the submission deadline

• Submitted an application that complies with the following program-specific 

requirements: 

o required additional documents

o an application for the entire geographic service area as described in Appendix 

A; as only the areas listed in Appendix A are eligible for funding.

Reviewing for eligibility is intended to ensure that only those applications that are eligible for 

award are further reviewed. However, determinations of eligibility can take place at any point 

during the application review and selection process. Applicants that are determined to be 

ineligible will not receive an award.

E.2.b. Application Review 

Internal Review

AmeriCorps Seniors Staff Reviewers will assess the applications based on the Program 

Design, Organizational Capability, and Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy Selection 

Criteria. Staff Reviewers will also consider the priorities and strategic considerations detailed 

in this Notice. AmeriCorps Seniors will recruit and select Staff Reviewers based on

demonstrated expertise in AmeriCorps Seniors programming and/or the Focus Areas, as well 

as experience assessing applications. All Staff Reviewers will be screened for conflicts of 

interest. 

Post-Review Quality Control

After the initial review process is complete, AmeriCorps Seniors staff will review the initial 

results for fairness and consistency. Some applications may be selected for a Post-Review 

Quality Control assessment. This additional level of review will be used to ensure fairness and 

provide assurances that an application was not disadvantaged in the original review.

E.2.c. Applicant Clarification

AmeriCorps Seniors may ask an applicant for clarifying information. AmeriCorps Seniors staff 

will use this information to make funding recommendations. A request for clarification does 

not guarantee an award. Applicants may be recommended for funding even if they are not 

asked for clarifying information. An applicant’s failure to respond to a request for clarification 

adequately and in a timely manner may result in the removal of its application from 

consideration. 

E.2.d. Pre-Award Risk Assessment

AmeriCorps Seniors staff will evaluate the risks to the program posed by each applicant to 

assess an applicant’s ability to manage federal funds. This evaluation is in addition to 

assessments of the applicant’s eligibility and the quality of its application based on the 

Selection Criteria. Results from this evaluation will inform funding decisions. If 

AmeriCorps Seniors determines that an award will be made to an applicant with assessed 

risks, special conditions that correspond to the degree of assessed risk may be applied to the 

award and/or the issuance of the award can be delayed until the issue has been resolved. 

Additionally, if AmeriCorps Seniors concludes that the reasons for applicants having poor risk 

assessment are not likely to be mitigated, those applications may not be selected for funding. 

In evaluating risks, AmeriCorps Seniors may consider the following criteria: 
Due Diligence:

• Federal debt delinquency

• Suspension and debarment

• Information available through OMB-designated repositories of government-wide 

eligibility qualification or financial integrity information, such as:

o Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)

o U.S. Treasury Bureau of Fiscal Services

o System for Award Management (SAM)

o “Do Not Pay” 

• Reports and findings from single audits performed under Uniform Administrative 

Guidance and findings of any other available audits or investigations

• IRS Tax Form 990

• Oversight.gov

• Public Litigation Records

Operational and Financial Management:

• Financial stability

• Operational and Financial Management Survey

Past Performance: 

Applicant’s record in managing previous AmeriCorps Seniors awards (if applicable), 

cooperative agreements, or procurement awards, including: 

• Timeliness of compliance with applicable reporting requirements

• Accuracy of data reported

• Validity of performance measure data reported

• Conformance to the terms and conditions of previous federal awards

• Applicant’s ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements 

imposed on award recipients

• Timely closeout of other awards

• Meeting matching requirements

• The extent to which any previously awarded amounts will be expended prior to future 

awards

• National Service Criminal History Check compliance

Other Programmatic Risks:

• Publicly available information, including information from the applicant organization's 

website

• Amount of funding requested by the organization 

E.2.e. Consideration of Integrity and Performance System Information

Prior to making any award that exceeds the $250,000, AmeriCorps is required to review and 

consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and 

performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (See 41 U.S.C. 2313). 

Additionally, AmeriCorps may expand upon these requirements and use its discretion to 

review and consider information about any applicant receiving an award, including those 

under $250,000.
Any applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and 

performance systems accessible through FAPIIS and comment on any information about itself 

that a federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity 

and performance system accessible through FAPIIS.

AmeriCorps may consider comments by any applicant, in addition to the other information in 

the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the 

applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under federal awards when 

completing its review of risk posed by the applicant under the Risk Assessment Evaluation 

section of this Notice. 

E.2.f. Selection for Funding

The review and selection process is designed to: 

• Identify how well eligible applications are aligned with the application review criteria

• Build a diversified portfolio based on the following strategic considerations: 

o AmeriCorps Seniors Funding Priorities (See Section A.2. Funding Priorities)

o Meaningful representation of 

▪ Geographic diversity 

▪ Rural communities

▪ Small and medium programs 

▪ Focus Area

Based on the evaluation of these strategic considerations, applications may be selected for 

funding over applications with a greater degree of alignment with the review criteria. In 

selecting applicants to receive awards under this Notice, the Program Director will endeavor 

to include a diverse portfolio of applications based on staff recommendations and strategic 

considerations.

AmeriCorps Seniors reserves the right to award applications in an amount other than at the 

requested level of funding and will document the rationale for doing so.

AmeriCorps Seniors reserves the right to adjust or make changes to the review process, if 

unforeseen challenges or urgent circumstances make it impossible, impracticable, or 

inefficient to conduct the review process as planned. Any such adjustments or changes 

will not affect the selection criteria that will be used to assess applications.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

This information pertains to all AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program renewal and 

continuation applications

F.1. Federal Award Notices 

AmeriCorps Seniors will make awards contingent on the availability of congressional 

appropriations. 

Notification of an award is not an authorization to begin activities. The Notice of Grant Award 

signed by the Office of Grant Administration is the authorizing document. An awardee may 
not expend federal funds until the start of the Period of Performance identified on the Notice 

of Grant Award, unless approved for pre-award costs according to section D.6.c.

F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

F.2.a. Uniform Guidance

All awards made under this Notice will be subject to the Uniform Administrative 

Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform 

Guidance), in 2 CFR Parts 200 and 2205.

F.2.b. Requests for Improper Payment Information

AmeriCorps Seniors may request documentation from recipients in order to monitor the 

award or to comply with other legal requirements, such as the Improper Payments 

Information Act of 2002, as amended. Failure to make timely responses to these requests 

may result in award funds being placed on manual hold, reimbursement only status, or other 

remedies may be applied as appropriate. 

F.2.c. AmeriCorps Terms and Conditions 

All awards made under this Notice will be subject to the 2022 AmeriCorps General Terms 

and Conditions, and the AmeriCorps Seniors 2022 Program-Specific Terms and Conditions 

for the particular program. These Terms and Conditions contain detailed, mandatory 

compliance and reporting requirements. Current versions of the AmeriCorps General and 

Program-Specific Terms and Conditions for each of its programs is available at

http://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/scp, filter to Terms and Conditions.

F.2.d. National Service Criminal History Check Requirements

The National Service Criminal History Check (NSCHC) is a specific screening procedure 

established by law to protect the beneficiaries of national service. Applicants are strongly 

encouraged to review the regulations and additional guidance at 

https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/history-check to fully understand how to comply 

with these requirements. 

Failure to conduct a compliant NSCHC may result in significant disallowed costs.

An NSCHC consists of the following components:

(1) A nationwide check of the National Sex Offender Public website through 

NSOPW.gov;

(2) A check of the State criminal history record repository or agency-designated 

alternative for the individual's State of residence and State of service; and

(3) A fingerprint-based check of the FBI criminal history record database through the 

State criminal history record repository or agency-approved vendor.

All NSCHC components must be conducted, reviewed, and an eligibility determination made 

before the individual begins work or service. AmeriCorps strongly encourages funded 

applicants to utilize the two AmeriCorps-approved vendors to conduct the required NSCHCs. 

Information regarding use of these two vendors can be found at 

https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/history-check. 
In general, award recipients and subrecipients must conduct an NSCHC for AmeriCorps 

members, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers, and staff funded under, or whose salary is 

reflected as match on, the award. 

An individual is not eligible to serve or work in a position subject to the NSCHC requirements 

if: 

• the individual refuses to consent to a criminal history check;

• makes a false statement in connection with a criminal history check; 

• is registered, or is required to be registered, on a state sex offender registry or the 

National Sex Offender Registry; or

• has been convicted of murder. 

The cost of conducting NSCHC is an allowable expense under the award and the individual 

subject to the NSCHC may not be required to cover the cost without being reimbursed.

See 45 CFR 2540.200– 2540.207 and National Service Criminal History Check Resources for 

complete information and FAQs.

F.2.e. Official Guidance

All AmeriCorps Seniors active guidance is available on the agency’s Guidance webpage: 

https://www.americorps.gov/about/agency-overview/official-guidance. The contents of these 

documents do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in 

any way unless incorporated into a contract or grant agreement. These documents are 

intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law 

or agency policies.

F.3. Use of Material

To ensure that materials generated with AmeriCorps Seniors funding are available to the 

public and readily accessible to recipients and non-recipients, AmeriCorps Seniors reserves a 

royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable right to obtain, use, modify, reproduce, publish, or 

disseminate publications and materials produced under the award, including data, and to 

authorize others to do so (2 CFR §200.315).

F.4. Reporting 

Recipients are required to submit a variety of reports which are due at specific times during 

the life cycle of an award. All reports must be accurate, complete, and submitted on time.

Recipients are required to provide Project Progress Reports (PPR) lite and PPR annual and 

semi-annual financial and narrative progress reports through eGrants, AmeriCorps’ webbased grants management system. All recipients must submit quarterly financial reports to 

the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System.

In addition, at the end of the award period, recipients must submit final financial and 

progress reports that are cumulative over the entire award period and consistent with the 

close-out requirements. The final reports are due 120 days after the end of the project 

period. 

Award recipients will be required to report at https://www.FSRS.gov on all subawards over 
$30,000, and may be required to report on executive compensation for the recipient 

organization and its subrecipients. Recipients must have the necessary systems in place to 

collect and report this information. See 2 CFR Part 170 for more information and to 

determine how these requirements apply. 

Once the grant is awarded, recipients will be expected to have data collection and data 

management policies, processes, and practices that provide reasonable assurance that they 

are reporting high quality performance measure data. At a minimum, recipients should have 

policies, processes, and practices that address the following five aspects of data quality for 

themselves and for subrecipients (if applicable):

• The data measures what it intends to measure

• The data reported is complete

• The recipient collects data in a consistent manner

• The recipient takes steps to correct data errors

• The recipient actively reviews data for accuracy prior to submission. 

Failure to submit accurate, complete, and timely required reports may affect the recipient’s 

ability to secure future AmeriCorps Seniors funding.

For further guidance and training resources see: Evaluation Resources | AmeriCorps.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING Agency Contacts

For all AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program renewal and continuation 

applications.

For more information, call or email the assigned Regional Office. AmeriCorps also offers live 

text chat at Contact us | AmeriCorps. 

For technical questions and problems with the eGrants system, call the National Service 

Hotline at (800) 942-2677. National Service Hotline hours are posted at 

https://questions.americorps.gov/app/ask. Potential applicants can also use this link: eGrants 

Questions. Be prepared to provide the application ID, organization’s name, and the name of 

the Notice to which the organization is applying.

H. Other Information

Technical Assistance

AmeriCorps Seniors will host technical assistance calls to answer questions about the funding 

opportunity and eGrants. AmeriCorps Seniors strongly encourages all applicants to 

participate in these sessions. Call-in information for the technical assistance calls may be 

found at the main SCP page, http://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/scp.

I. IMPORTANT NOTICES

This information is for all AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program renewal and 

continuation applications.

Public Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for collection of information under this 

Notice of Funding is estimated to average six hours per submission, including reviewing 
instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing the application and 

reporting forms. AmeriCorps Seniors informs people who may respond to this Notice of 

Funding that they are not required to respond unless the OMB control number and 

expiration date are current valid. (See 5 C.F.R. 1320.5(b)(2)(i).) The OMB Control Number for 

the information collection is 3045-0187. It expires on 9/30/2020.

Privacy Act Statement: The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C 552a) requires that we notify you 

that the information requested under this Notice of Funding is collected pursuant to 42 

U.S.C. 12592 and 12615 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 as amended, 

and 42 U.S.C. 4953 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 as amended. Purposes 

and Uses - The information requested is collected for the purposes of reviewing grant 

applications and granting funding requests. Routine uses may include disclosure of the 

information to federal, state, or local agencies pursuant to lawfully authorized requests. In 

some programs, the information may also be provided to federal, state, and local law 

enforcement agencies to determine the existence of any prior criminal convictions. The 

information may also be provided to appropriate federal agencies and contractors that have 

a need to know the information for the purpose of assisting the government to respond to a 

suspected or confirmed breach of the security or confidentiality or information maintained in 

this system of records, and the information disclosed is relevant and unnecessary for the 

assistance. Effects of Nondisclosure - The information requested is voluntary; however, to be 

a recipient of this grant program, disclosure of personal or sensitive information is required 

to receive federal benefits.