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NOTICE of FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Federal Agency Name: AmeriCorps

Funding Opportunity Title: Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 AmeriCorps State and National 

Native Nation Planning Grants

Announcement Type: Amended Announcement

Assistance Listing Number: 94.006

Summary Statement: This is an opportunity for Indian Tribes to apply to plan for 

AmeriCorps members to strengthen communities by serving.

Disclosure: 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, timing, and process of grant funding will be subject to the 

availability of annual appropriations. 

Important Dates

• Applications are due not later than Friday, April 5, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. 

• Successful applicants will be notified by end of May 2024. 

• Successful applicants will be issued awards by end of July 2024. 
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Table of Contents

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY................................................................................ 1

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION.................................................................................................. 4

o A.1. Purpose of AmeriCorps State and National Native Nation Planning Grant Funding.........4

o A.2. Funding Priorities...........................................................................................................4

o A.3. Performance Goals or Expected Outcomes......................................................................5

o A.4. Program Authority..........................................................................................................5

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

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

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

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

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

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION ........................................................................................... 6

o C.1. Eligible Applicants .........................................................................................................6

Types of Applicants.............................................................................................................................6

o C.2. Cost Sharing or Matching ...............................................................................................7

Cost Reimbursement Grants..............................................................................................................7

Match Waiver........................................................................................................................................7

Alternative Match.................................................................................................................................7

o C.3. Other Eligibility Requirements........................................................................................8

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION..................................................... 8

o D.1. Address to Request an Application Package....................................................................8

o D.2. Content and Form of Application Submission .................................................................8

D.2.a. Application Content ................................................................................................................8

D.2.b. Page Limits................................................................................................................................9

o D.3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)..............................9

o D.4. Submission Dates and Times ....................................................................................... 10

D.4.a. Application Submission Deadline.......................................................................................10

D.4.b. Additional Documents Deadline.........................................................................................10

D.4.c. Late Applications....................................................................................................................10

o D.5. Intergovernmental Review........................................................................................... 11

o D.6. Funding Restrictions.................................................................................................... 11

D.6.a. Award Funding Requirements .............................................................................................11

D.6.b. Indirect Costs..........................................................................................................................11

D.6.c. Pre-Award Costs.....................................................................................................................12

o D.7. Other Submission Requirements.................................................................................. 12

D.7.a. Electronic Application Submission in eGrants ..................................................................12

D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents................................................................................12

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION ..................................................................... 13

o E.1. Selection Criteria ......................................................................................................... 13

E.1.a. Executive Summary (Required – 0 percent):.......................................................................14
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E.1.b. Program Design (50 percent):..............................................................................................14

E.1.c. Organizational Capability (25 percent):..............................................................................15

E.1.d. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy (25 percent):.................................................15

E.1.e. Evaluation Plan (Required for recompeting applicants - 0 percent):.............................15

E.1.f. Amendment Justification (0 percent):..................................................................................15

E.1.g. Clarification Information (0 percent):..................................................................................15

E.1.h. Continuation Changes (0 percent):.....................................................................................15

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

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

E.2.b. Application Review.................................................................................................................16

E.2.c. Pre-Award Risk Assessment ..................................................................................................16

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

E.2.e. Selection for Funding.............................................................................................................18

E.2.f. Applicant Resolution...............................................................................................................19

o E.3. Feedback to Applicants................................................................................................ 19

o E.4. Transparency in Grantmaking ...................................................................................... 19

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

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

o F.2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements........................................................ 19

F.2.a. Uniform Guidance ..................................................................................................................19

F.2.b. Requests for Monitoring or Payment Integrity Information.............................................20

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

F.2.d. Official Guidance....................................................................................................................20

o F.3. Use of Material ............................................................................................................ 20

o F.4. Reporting ..................................................................................................................... 20

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS............................................................. 21

H. OTHER INFORMATION .................................................................................................... 21

o H.1. Technical Assistance ................................................................................................... 21

o H.2. Re-Focusing of Funding .............................................................................................. 21

I. IMPORTANT NOTICES....................................................................................................... 22

APPENDIX I – AMERICORPS FOCUS AREAS................................................................... 23

o AmeriCorps Focus Areas .................................................................................................... 23
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FULL TEXT OF THE NOTICE

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1. Purpose of AmeriCorps State and National Native Nation Planning Grant Funding

AmeriCorps is committed to working on a Nation-to-Nation basis with Tribal Nations and 

upholding the federal government’s Tribal trust responsibility. 

AmeriCorps planning grants provide support to a grant recipient to develop an AmeriCorps 

program that will engage AmeriCorps members in implementing evidence-based 

interventions to solve community problems. Grant recipients are awarded up to $240,000 for 

a 12-month planning period and are encouraged to compete for an AmeriCorps program 

grant in the following grant cycle if they deem the fit with AmeriCorps to be of use to their 

community. A planning grant may not be used to support AmeriCorps members. Applicants 

will apply for a Cost Reimbursement grant. The project period is no more than a year, with a 

start date proposed by the applicant. The project start date may not occur prior to the date 

AmeriCorps awards the grant.

Please use the AmeriCorps Focus Areas in Appendix I. 

A.2. Funding Priorities 

AmeriCorps released its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan which defines the agency’s goals and

objectives to advance the agency’s mission to improve lives and strengthen communities. 

AmeriCorps will execute the following goals to better position the agency to respond to 

national and local needs and help the communities it serves prosper: 

1. Partner with communities to alleviate poverty and advance racial equity 

2. Enhance the experience for AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors 

volunteers

3. Unite Americans by bringing them together in service

4. Effectively steward federal resources

5. Make AmeriCorps one of the best and most equitable places to work in the federal 

government

AmeriCorps will invest in existing and new partnerships with non-profit, faith-based, and 

Tribal organizations, and State Service Commissions, to get things done for America. The 

agency will prioritize investment in the most critical issues of our time — public health, climate 

and the environment, and education and economic opportunity — within AmeriCorps’ Focus 

Areas (Appendix 1) and will increase its efforts to ensure AmeriCorps members, AmeriCorps 

Seniors volunteers, and community-based volunteers reflect the communities where they 

serve. We will target our investments toward communities where the need is greatest, 

particularly those with populations that face racial inequality and poverty. These steps will 

enable more Americans than ever to strengthen the communities that need it most across the 

nation through their service.
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AmeriCorps’ priorities for this funding opportunity are:

• The needs/challenges in your communities and

• The ability to translate the planning grant award into an application for AmeriCorps 

programming next year. 

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. 

All applications must include at least one aligned performance measure (output and 

outcome) that corresponds to the proposed primary intervention. This may be a National 

Performance Measure or an applicant-determined measure. For more information, please 

refer to the National Performance Measure Instructions. 

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.)

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.1. Estimated Available Funds

AmeriCorps welcomes Native Nation applications. The actual level of funding is subject to 

the availability of annual appropriations. 

B.2. Estimated Award Amount

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

B.3. Period of Performance

AmeriCorps anticipates making one-year grant awards. No applicants should plan on starting 

their AmeriCorps grant prior to August 15, 2024.

B.4. Type of Award 

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

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

and serving as the agency’s primary point of contact. 
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AmeriCorps State and National grants will be awarded if an application is successful. 

Grant Types Cost 

Reimbursement

Available 

Subtypes Planning Grants

Budget 

Submission 

Required

Yes 

Financial 

Reporting 

Requirements

Yes 

Available to 

new 

Applicants

Yes 

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1. Eligible Applicants

The following non-Federal entities (as defined in 2 CFR 200.1) are eligible to apply: 

• Indian Tribes 

Applicants must have a valid SAM registration and Unique Entity Identifier to receive an 

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

for more information.

New Applicants

AmeriCorps encourages organizations that have not received prior funding from AmeriCorps

to apply. 

Types of Applicants

1. Federally recognized Indian Tribes: Applicants that are Indian Tribes apply directly to 

AmeriCorps. 

2. In addition to Indian Tribes as defined in 2 CFR 200.1, tribal organizations that are 

controlled, authorized, 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 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 authorized by a 

federally recognized tribe, or multiple specific federally recognized tribes, it must submit a 

resolution or other authorization, adopted by the Tribal Council (or comparable tribal 
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governing body) of each Indian Tribe. The authorization(s) must identify the entity applying 

for an AmeriCorps award by name as a tribal organization that is authorized by the Indian 

Tribe(s) for the purpose of applying for AmeriCorps funding (or federal grant funds 

generally). 

C.2. Cost Sharing or Matching

Cost Reimbursement Grants 

Applicants are required to match funds based on the chart below. The applicant’s match can 

be non-AmeriCorps cash and/or in-kind contributions. Applicants must indicate whether the 

match is proposed or secured. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to meet the match 

requirement at the time of application submission. Use Section D.6. Funding Restrictions for 

more information. 

A first-time successful applicant is required to match at 24 percent for the first three-year 

funding period. Starting with year four, the match requirement gradually increases every year 

to 50 percent by year ten, according to the minimum overall share chart found in 45 CFR 

2521.60 and below.

AmeriCorps 

Funding Year

1, 2, 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10+

Grantee Share 

Requirements

24% 26% 30% 34% 38% 42% 46% 50%

42 U.S.C. §12571(e) requires grantees that use other Federal Funds as matching funds for an 

AmeriCorps grant to report those amounts and sources to AmeriCorps on a Federal Financial 

Report. Grantees must track and be prepared to report on that match separately each year 

and at closeout. 

Match Waiver

Please use the Match Waiver information for AmeriCorps State and National Grantees

located on the AmeriCorps.gov Manage Your Grant webpage. Native Nations will submit 

requests via the Alternative Match Request form located on the AmeriCorps.gov Manage 

Your Grant webpage.

Alternative Match

Under certain circumstances, applicants may qualify to meet alternative matching 

requirements that increase over the years to 35 percent instead of 50 percent as specified in 

45 CFR 2521.60(b). To qualify, applicants must demonstrate that the proposed program is 

either located in a rural county or in a severely economically distressed community as defined 

in the Application Instructions. Applicants who plan to request an alternative match schedule 

should submit a request at the time the application is submitted. Native Nations will submit 

requests via the Alternative Match Request form located on the AmeriCorps.gov Manage 

Your Grant webpage.
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C.3. Other Eligibility Requirements

Under Section 132A(b) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended, 

organizations that have violated a Federal criminal statute may not receive assistance 

described in this Notice. 

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; and 

• 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 that a federal agency has considered for suspension or debarment 

and determined 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 funding.

D. Application and Submission Information

This Notice should be read together with the AmeriCorps regulations, Application 

Instructions, Performance Measure Instructions, and Mandatory Supplemental Information. 

These documents are available online at AmeriCorps.gov Funding Opportunities webpage . 

D.1. Address to Request an Application Package

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

Funding Opportunities webpages. Applicants should refer to AmeriCorps Funding 

Opportunities for more information and instructions on how to fully respond to this Notice. 

Applicants can also send an email to americorpsgrants@cns.gov or call (202) 606-7508 for a 

printed copy of the Notice, Guidance, and Application Instructions. 

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: Automatically generated when applicants 

complete the data elements in the eGrants system. 

• Narrative Sections

o Executive Summary: 

o Program Design
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o Organizational Capability

o Cost-Effectiveness & Budget Adequacy

o Evaluation Summary/Plan

• Logic Model

• Performance Measures

• Standard Form 424A Budget

• Continuation Changes

• Clarification

• Authorization, Assurances, and Certifications

D.2.b. Page Limits

There are page limits for the Narratives and Logic Model:

• Narratives

o Applications must not exceed 5 double-spaced pages for the Narrative as the 

pages print out from eGrants. 

o The application sections that count towards the page limit include: 

 SF-424 Face Sheet 

 Executive Summary 

 Program Design, Organizational Capability, and Cost-Effectiveness & 

Budget Adequacy narratives

o The application page limit does not include: 

 Evaluation Summary/Plan

 Clarification Summary

 Continuation Changes

 Budget, Performance Measures

 Any required additional documents. 

• Logic Model 

o The Logic Model may not exceed eight pages when printed with the 

application from the “Review” tab in AmeriCorps’ web-based management 

system. 

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 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 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) 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. Use the 

SAM Quick Guide for Grantees for more information. 
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SAM registration must be renewed annually. AmeriCorps 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 SAMregistered legal name and physical address on all grant applications to AmeriCorps. 

The legal applicant’s name and physical address in eGrants must match exactly the 

applicant’s SAM-registered information.

Applications must include a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which is generated as part of 

the SAM registration process. AmeriCorps will not make awards to entities that do not have a 

valid SAM registration and UEI. 

Applications must include an Employer Identification Number. The UEI and Employer 

Identification Number must be entered by the organization’s Grantee Administrator as an 

organization attribute, and this will apply the information to all applications for the 

organization.

If an applicant has not fully complied with these requirements by the time AmeriCorps is 

ready to make a federal award, AmeriCorps 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.

D.4. Submission Dates and Times

D.4.a. Application Submission Deadline

Applications are due not later than Friday, April 5, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. 

AmeriCorps will not consider applications submitted after the deadline, except as noted in 

Section D.4.c. Late Applications. AmeriCorps reserves the right to extend the submission 

deadline. AmeriCorps will post a notification in the event of an extended deadline on 

AmeriCorps’ funding opportunities webpage. 

D.4.b. Additional Documents Deadline

Additional documents are due by the application submission deadline. Use 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 Friday,

April 5, 2024 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 Timing and specific cause(s) of the delay

o Ticket number if a request for assistance was submitted to the AmeriCorps

Hotline

o Information provided to the applicant by the AmeriCorps Hotline
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o Other documentation or evidence that supports the justification

• Ensure that AmeriCorps receives the written explanation or justification and any other 

evidence that substantiates the claimed extenuating circumstance(s), via email to 

LateApplications@cns.gov no later than Monday, April 8, 5:00 pm Eastern Time.

Communication with AmeriCorps 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 AmeriCorps Hotline to submit the 

application. AmeriCorps will determine whether or not to accept a late application on a caseby-case basis. 

Applicants that do not meet the application submission deadline and do not submit a written 

explanation or justification or any other evidence to overcome the presumption of noncompliance within the published timeframe will be deemed noncompliant. If AmeriCorps

sustains a noncompliant determination, the application will not be reviewed or selected for 

award.

AmeriCorps 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

N/A

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 or a 10 percent de minimis rate of modified 

total direct costs, or may claim certain costs directly, as outlined in CFR 200.4133 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% de minimis rate, must enter 

that information in the Organization section in eGrants. However, under section 121(d) of the 

National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended and AmeriCorps’ regulations at 45 

CFR 2521.95 and 2540.110, no more than five percent of award funds may be used to 

recover indirect costs on AmeriCorps State and National grants. 

Use the AmeriCorps eGrants Indirect Cost Rate (IDCR) User Instructions for how to enter the 

organization’s indirect cost rate. . Applicants should not submit documentation addressing 

the indirect cost rate agreement via email.
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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 

AmeriCorps. 

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 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 AmeriCorps Hotline at (800) 942-2677 if they have a problem 

when they create an account, prepare, or submit the application. Information about the 

AmeriCorps Hotline hours are also posted on the AmeriCorps Hotline webpage.

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

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

applicants must continue working with the AmeriCorps 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 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)/AmeriCorps State and National

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 does not 

accept applications submitted via fax or email.

D.7.b. Submission of Additional Documents 

All documents must be submitted by the Prime Applicants (State Service Commissions or 

National Directs). Subapplicants cannot submit documentation on behalf of the Commission 
13

in the Notice. 

All applicants: 

1. All applicants regardless of funding level are required to submit an Applicant 

Operational and Financial Management Survey . Please submit the OFMS using the

link to the online form, where applicants will be required to submit their response 

electronically. Forms submitted as a PDF, or any other document format may not be 

accepted. 

Entities applying on behalf of a Federally Recognized Tribe (New and recompeting)

1. Tribal organization eligibility documentation (Use Section C.1 Eligible Applicants)

Additional documents must be emailed to AdditionalDocuments@cns.gov with the following 

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

• Legal applicant name and its point of contact information

• Application ID number

• List of documents that are attached to the email by filename, labeling each document 

type according to the above numbered list

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

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

o To ensure that all required additional documents are considered, please 

provide each document as a separate single file, labeled appropriately. Please 

do not send multiple documents in one combined file, and do not send a 

single document in multiple files.

o 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)”

• Prime applicants should send separate emails with each subapplicant’s materials, 

referencing the subapplicant’s Application ID

Failure to submit the required additional documents, following the email instructions in this 

section, by the deadline may have a negative effect on the assessment of an application. 

Do not submit any items that are not requested in this Notice or Application Instructions. 

AmeriCorps will not review or return them. 

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E.1. Selection Criteria

Each applicant must describe a project to plan a project that will deploy AmeriCorps 

members effectively to solve a significant community problem. AmeriCorps urges applicants 

to submit high quality applications that carefully follow the guidance in this Notice and in the 

Application Instructions. The quality of an application will be an important factor in 

determining whether an organization will receive funding. 

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 
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selection criteria described below and will rate them accordingly. They will also consider the 

weights assigned to each criterion.

Categories/Subcategories Percentage

Executive Summary 0

Program Design 50

• Problem/Need 20

• Planning Process/Timeline 30

Organizational Capability 25

• Organizational Background and Staffing 25

Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy 25

E.1.a. Executive Summary (Required – 0 percent):

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 a planning grant to focus on [what the community 

interventions will be.] 

E.1.b. Program Design (50 percent): 

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

assume all sub-criteria are of equal value. 

1. Problem/Need (20 points)

• The applicant will provide a summary of the community problem, including the role 

current or historical inequities faced by underserved communities may play in 

contributing to the problem. 

• The community need as it relates to the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index and to 

communicate the severity and prevalence of the problem. 

• The applicant provides a clear explanation for why a planning grant is needed. 

2. Planning Process/Timeline (30 points)

• The applicant describes a clear and logical planning process: 

o The applicant describes a detailed description of who is leading the planning 

process. 

o The applicant describes how the planning period will be used to develop the 

necessary components to effectively manage an AmeriCorps program in the 

future. 

o The applicant describes a detailed plan for program sustainability. 

• The planning process includes development of the following program elements:

o Theory of Change/Logic Model

o Intervention and evidence base

o Member training and supervision plans

o Program Compliance and Accountability

o Securing Match Support for the Program
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E.1.c. Organizational Capability (25 percent): 

Reviewers will consider the quality of the application’s response to the following criteria 

below. Do not assume all sub-criteria are of equal value.

1. Organizational Background and Staffing (25 points)

• The applicant describes how it has the experience, staffing, and management 

structure to plan the proposed program.

• The applicant describes its plans to engage community members and partner 

organizations in the planning process.

• The applicant has sufficient policies, procedures, and controls in place to prevent, 

detect, and mitigate the risk of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, such as 

appropriate segregation of duties, internal oversight activities, measures to prevent 

timekeeping fraud, etc. 

• The organization’s definitions of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility is 

demonstrated by the organization (e.g., diversity on the Board of Directors, agency 

staff and leadership, and/or volunteers).

E.1.d. Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy (25 percent): 

Reviewers will assess the quality of the application’s budget to the following criteria below. 

Do not assume all sub-criteria are of equal value.

These criteria will be assessed based on the budget submitted. Do not include narrative 

in the narrative box except for “See budget”.

1. Cost Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy (25 points)

Budget complies with the Application Instructions (Cost Reimbursement Applicants: See 

Appendix B and C; Fixed Amount Applicants: See 

• Appendix D and E) 

• Cost Reimbursement applicant meets match requirements proposes sufficient 

additional revenue to adequately support the program. Applicant identifies sources 

in the Source of Funds section of the budget

E.1.e. Evaluation Plan (Required for recompeting applicants - 0 percent): 

Planning grant applicants should enter “N/A” in this section. Any other text entered in this 

field will not be reviewed. 

E.1.f. Amendment Justification (0 percent): 

Enter N/A. This field will be used if the applicant is awarded a grant and needs to amend it. 

E.1.g. Clarification Information (0 percent): 

Enter N/A. 

E.1.h. Continuation Changes (0 percent): 

Enter N/A. 
16

E.2. Review and Selection Process

AmeriCorps will engage External Reviewers with relevant knowledge and expertise to assess 

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

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 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, 

• Submitted an application by the submission deadline

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 

External Review 

External Reviewers will assess applications based on the Program Design, Organizational 

Capability, Cost-Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy, and Evidence Selection Criteria. 

AmeriCorps will recruit and select reviewers on the basis of demonstrated expertise in 

AmeriCorps State and National programming and/or the Focus Areas, as well as experience 

assessing applications. All External Reviewers will be screened for conflicts of interest.

Internal Review

AmeriCorps staff will also assess budget compliance and review for prohibited activities. 

Post-Review Quality Control

After the initial review process is complete, AmeriCorps 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. Pre-Award Risk Assessment

AmeriCorps staff will assess the risks to the program posed by each applicant to determine 

an applicant’s ability to manage Federal Funds. This evaluation is in addition to those about

the applicant’s eligibility and the quality of its application on the basis of the E.1. Selection 

Criteria. Results from this assessment will inform funding decisions. If AmeriCorps 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. Applicants may not 
17

be selected for funding if AmeriCorps determines that the applicant’s risks cannot be 

mitigated.

In assessing risks, AmeriCorps may consider the following criteria: 

1. Due Diligence, including: 

• Federal debt delinquency

• Suspension and debarment

• Information available through Office of Management and Budget (OMB)- designated 

repositories of government-wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity 

information, such as:

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

2. Operational and Financial Management, including: 

• Financial stability

• Operational and Financial Management Survey (OFMS)

3. Past Performance, including: 

• Applicant’s record in managing previous AmeriCorps awards, cooperative 

agreements, or procurement awards, including: 

o Timely compliance with applicable reporting requirements

o Accuracy of data reported

o Validity of performance measure data reported

o Conformity to the terms and conditions of previous Federal awards

o Ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements 

imposed on award recipients

o Timely closeout of other awards

o Meeting matching requirements

o Extent to which any previously awarded amounts will be expended prior to 

future awards

o Meeting National Service Criminal History Check (NSCHC) compliance (Use

section F.2.d. National Criminal History Check Requirements and the NSCHC 

webpage for more information

4. Other Programmatic Risks, Financial, Organizational, Compliance, and Fraud including: 

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

• Amount of funding requested by the organization 

• Other elements, such as keyword searches for prohibited activities 

Applicants will find information to help them understand pre-award due diligence checks in 

the AmeriCorps Due Diligence Review Process and Compliance training available on the 
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Manage Your Grant webpage. This content will help applicants obtain due diligence 

compliance and remain compliant throughout the grant life.

E.2.d. 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.gov(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 may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems 

accessible through SAM.gov 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 SAM.gov. 

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 E.2.c. Risk Assessment 

Evaluation section of this Notice. 

E.2.e. Selection for Funding

The review and selection process are designed to: 

• Identify how well eligible applications are aligned with the E.1 application selection 

criteria

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

o AmeriCorps Funding Priorities (Use Section A.2. Funding Priorities) 

o meaningful representation of 

 rural communities

 innovative community strategies

o CEO discretion to advance strategic goals

AmeriCorps will assess an applicant’s strategic considerations. Applicants must check the 

relevant boxes in the Program Information tab in AmeriCorps’ web-based management 

system. Applicants should only check the boxes if the strategic consideration is a significant 

and intentional part of their program design and if implementation strategies are described 

in the application.

In selecting applicants to receive awards under this Notice, the Chief Executive Officer will 

endeavor to include a diverse portfolio of applications based on staff recommendations, 

alignment with selection criteria, and strategic considerations.

AmeriCorps reserves the right to prioritize funding existing awards over making new awards. 

 

AmeriCorps 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.
19

AmeriCorps 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 (E.1.) that will be used to assess applications.

E.2.f. Applicant Resolution

AmeriCorps may ask an applicant for information after notification of competition results to 

resolve any issues prior to award. AmeriCorps will ask all grantees for a written compliance 

implementation plan that includes notification of waste, fraud, and abuse to the agency’s OIG. 

An applicant’s failure to respond adequately and in a timely manner may result in the removal 

of its application from the award process. 

E.3. Feedback to Applicants

Each compliant applicant will receive feedback from the External Review of its application. 

E.4. Transparency in Grantmaking

AmeriCorps is committed to transparency in grant-making. A list of all approved applications

for new and re-competing applications will be published on AmeriCorps Funded Grants

within 90 business days after all grants are awarded. 

Submitted program narratives, executive summaries, a blank template of the external review 

worksheet, and a list of all external reviewers who completed the review process for 

successful applications will be available upon request via email to AmeriCorpsOGA@cns.gov. 

Further information about funded grants and subgrants is also available in 

USASpending.gov. 

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

F.1. Federal Award Notices

AmeriCorps will make awards following the selection announcement. AmeriCorps anticipates 

announcing the results of this funding opportunity by mid-April 2024 contingent on the 

availability of congressional appropriations. All applicants, successful or not, will be notified 

of funding decisions via email.

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

(NGA) 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.

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
20

F.2.b. Requests for Monitoring or Payment Integrity Information

AmeriCorps will request documentation from award recipients in order to monitor the 

grantee and award to ensure compliance with legal requirements, including the Payment 

Integrity Information Act of 2019. 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 FY 2024 AmeriCorps General Terms 

and Conditions, and the FY 2024 Program-Specific Terms and Conditions for the particular 

program (when applicable). 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 on the 

AmeriCorps Manage Your Grant webpage.

F.2.d. Official Guidance

AmeriCorps active Guidance is available on the agency’s Guidance webpage. 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 funding are available to the public and 

readily accessible to recipients and non-recipients, AmeriCorps 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 that are due at specific times during the 

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

Cost Reimbursement grantees are required to provide annual progress reports and semiannual financial reports through eGrants, AmeriCorps’ web-based grants management 

system and an internal or external evaluation report as required by the AmeriCorps 

regulations 45 CFR 2522.500-2522.540 and 2522.700-2522.740. 

In addition, at the end of the award period, a grantee must submit final financial and progress 

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

requirements. The final reports are due 120 days after the end of the period of performance. 

Award recipients will be required to report at Federal Funding Accountability and 

Transparency Act Subaward Reporting System (FSRS) on all subawards over $30,000, and 

may be required to report on executive compensation for the recipient organization and its 

subrecipients. Recipients and subrecipients must have the necessary systems in place to 
21

collect and report this information. Use 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 in place data collection and 

data management policies, processes, and practices that provide 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):

• Data measures what it intends to measure

• Data reported is complete

• Grantee collects data in a consistent manner

• Grantee takes steps to correct data errors

• Grantee 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 funding.

G. FEDERAL AWARDING Agency Contacts

For more information, call (202) 606-7508 or email AmericorpsGrants@cns.gov. 

For technical questions and problems with the eGrants system, call the AmeriCorps Hotline at 

(800) 942-2677, selecting Option 3. Information about the AmeriCorps Hotline hours are 

also posted on the AmeriCorps Hotline webpage. 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 

H.1. Technical Assistance

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

opportunity and eGrants. AmeriCorps strongly encourages all applicants to participate in 

these sessions. Information for these technical assistance calls is available on the AmeriCorps’

Funding Opportunities website. 

Resources applicants need to effectively manage their grant award, including eGrants 

instructions, terms and conditions, individual match waiver, pre-award requirements, financial 

reporting requirements, and training and technical assistance materials are found on the 

Manage Your Grant webpage. 

H.2. Re-Focusing of Funding

AmeriCorps reserves the right to re-focus program dollars under this Notice in the event of 

disaster or other compelling needs. 
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I. IMPORTANT NOTICES

I.1. 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 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. 

(Use 5 CFR 1320.5(b)(2)(i).) This collection is approved under OMB Control #: 3045-0047,

Application Instructions, State and National Competitive, New and Continuation, Expiration 

Date: September 30, 2023.

I.2. Privacy Act Statement 

The Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C §552a) requires that we notify applicants 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. 
23

APPENDIX I – AmeriCorps Focus Areas

AmeriCorps Focus Areas

The National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended by the Serve America Act, 

emphasizes measuring the impact of service and focusing on a core set of issue areas. In 

order to carry out Congress’s intent and to maximize the impact of investment in national 

service, and to achieve the goals laid out in AmeriCorps’ Strategic Plan (2022-2026), 

AmeriCorps has the following Focus Areas:

Disaster Services

Helping individuals and communities prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the 

effects of disasters and increase community resiliency.

Economic Opportunity 

Improving the economic well-being and security of underserved individuals.

Education 

Improving educational outcomes for underserved people, especially children. AmeriCorps is 

particularly interested in program designs that support youth engagement and service 

learning as strategies to achieve high educational outcomes. 

Environmental Stewardship 

Supporting communities to become more resilient through measures that reduce 

greenhouse gas emissions, conserve land and water, increase renewable energy use and

improve at-risk ecosystems, especially in underserved households and communities.

Healthy Futures

Supporting for health needs within communities, including mitigating the impacts of public 

health crises, access to care, aging in place, public health, and addressing childhood obesity, 

especially in underserved communities. 

Veterans and Military Families 

Improving the quality of life of veterans, military families, caregivers, and survivors.