1

NOTICE OF FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITY 

Federal Agency Name: Corporation for National and Community Service 

Funding Opportunity Title: 2018 AmeriCorps Indian Tribes Grants 

Announcement Type: Initial Announcement 

CFDA Number: 94.006 

Disclosure: Publication of this Announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity (Notice) does not obligate the 

Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to award any specific number of grants or to obligate any 

particular amount of funding. The 2018 President’s Budget proposed the elimination of CNCS. The actual level and 

timing of grant funding will be subject to the availability of annual appropriations. 

Important Dates 

 Notification of Intent to Apply: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a Notification of Intent to Apply 

for this competition. Notifications of Intent to Apply should be submitted by Monday, April 2, 2018. 

 Deadline: Applications are due Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to CNCS. 

 Application Notification: Successful applicants will be notified by Monday, June 25, 2018.

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

1. Purpose of AmeriCorps Funding 

The mission of CNCS is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic participation through service and 

volunteering. Through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Volunteer Generation Fund, CNCS has helped to engage 

millions of citizens in meeting community and national challenges through service and volunteer action. 

AmeriCorps grants are awarded to eligible organizations (see Eligible Applicants section) proposing to engage 

AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions/practices to strengthen communities. An 

AmeriCorps member is an individual who engages in community service through an approved national service position. 

Members may receive a living allowance and other benefits while serving. Upon successful completion of their service, 

members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award from the National Service Trust that members can use to pay for 

higher education expenses or apply to qualified student loans. 

CNCS 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’ intent and to maximize the 

impact of investment in national service, CNCS has the following focus areas: 

Disaster Services 

Grant activities will provide support to increase the preparedness of individuals for disasters, improve individuals’ 

readiness to respond to disasters, help individuals recover from disasters, and/or help individuals mitigate disasters. 

Grantees also have the ability to respond to national disasters under CNCS cooperative agreements and FEMA mission 

assignments. 

Economic Opportunity 

Grants will provide support and/or facilitate access to services and resources that contribute to the improved economic 

well-being and security of economically disadvantaged people; help economically disadvantaged people, to have 

improved access to services that enhance financial literacy; transition into or remain in safe, healthy, affordable housing; 

and/or have improved employability leading to increased success in becoming employed. 

Education 

Grants will provide support and/or facilitate access to services and resources that contribute to improved educational 

outcomes for economically disadvantaged children; improved school readiness for economically disadvantaged young 

children; improved educational and behavioral outcomes of students in low-achieving elementary, middle, and high 

schools; and/or support economically disadvantaged students prepare for success in post-secondary educational 

institutions. 
2

Environmental Stewardship 

Grants will support responsible stewardship of the environment, while preparing communities for challenging 

circumstances and helping Americans respond to and recover from disruptive life events: programs that conserve natural 

habitats; protect clean air and water; maintain public lands; support wildland fire mitigation; cultivate individual and 

community self-sufficiency; provide reforestation services after floods or fires; and more. AmeriCorps programs support 

activities, such as conservation and fire corps, which may also help veterans and others learn new job skills through 

conservation service. 

Healthy Futures 

Grants will provide support for activities that will improve access to primary and preventive health care for communities 

served by CNCS-supported programs; increase seniors’ ability to remain in their own homes with the same or improved 

quality of life for as long as possible; and/or increase physical activity and improve nutrition in youth with the purpose of 

reducing childhood obesity. 

Veterans and Military Families 

Grants will positively impact the quality of life of veterans and improve military family strength; increase the number of 

veterans, wounded warriors, military service members, and their families served by CNCS-supported programs; and/or 

increase the number of veterans and military family members engaged in service through CNCS-supported programs. 

2. Funding Priorities (See Mandatory Supplemental Guidance for further information about some of the priorities)

CNCS seeks to prioritize the investment of national service resources in the following areas: 

 Disaster Services - improving community resiliency through disaster preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation

 Economic Opportunity - increasing economic opportunities for communities by engaging opportunity youth, either

as the population served and/or as AmeriCorps members, to prepare them for the workforce

 Education - improving student academic performance in Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Mathematics 

(STEM), and/or serving students who attend Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools 

 Healthy Futures – Reducing and/or Preventing substance abuse and suicide. (see Mandatory Supplemental 

Guidance)

 Veterans and Military Families -- positively impacting the quality of life of veterans and improving military family 

strength

In order to receive priority consideration for submitting an application within a Notice priority(ies), applicants must 

demonstrate that the priority area is a significant part of the program focus and intended outcomes and must include a 

high quality program design. Responses that propose programs for the purpose of receiving priority consideration are not 

guaranteed funding. 

3. Performance Measures

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. 

Additional performance measures, including output-only National Performance Measures, may also be included if 

desired; however, all performance measures must be consistent with the program’s Theory of Change and represent 

significant program activities. CNCS does not expect applicants to select performance measures to correspond to each 

and every potential member activity or community impact. CNCS values the quality of performance measures over the 

quantity of performance measures. 

CNCS expects applicants to use National Performance Measures as part of their comprehensive performance 

measurement strategy if the National Performance Measures are part of the applicant’s theory of change. Applicants 

should use both performance and evaluation data to learn from their work as well as make tactical and strategic 

adjustments to achieve their goals. For more information, please refer to the National Performance Measure Instructions 

[http://www.nationalservice.gov/build-your-capacity/grants/funding-opportunities.]. 

As described in the Application Instructions, applicants must include all information about their proposed performances 

measure in the Performance Measure section of the applications in CNCS’s web-based grants management system (the 

system). All definitions and data collection requirements described in the National Performance Measure Instructions

must be included in the text of the performance measures themselves, and it must be evident in the performance measure 

text that all definitions and requirements outlined in the National Performance Measures Instructions are met. Providing
3

performance measures information elsewhere in the narrative cannot be in lieu of providing full information in the 

Performance Measures section of the application in CNCS’s web-based grant management system. 

In the application narrative, applicants should discuss their rationale for setting output and outcome targets for their 

performance measures. Recompeting applicants proposing to significantly increase or decrease output or outcome targets 

from their previous grant should provide a justification for this change. 

4. Program Authority 

CNCS’s legal authority to award these grants is found in the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended, 

(NCSA) (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.) 

B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION 

1. Estimated Available Funds 

CNCS expects a highly competitive AmeriCorps grant competition. CNCS reserves the right to prioritize providing 

funding to existing awards over making new awards. The actual level of funding will be subject to the availability of 

annual appropriations. 

2. Estimated Award Amount 

Grant awards have two components: operating funds and AmeriCorps member positions. Grant award amounts vary –

both in the level of operating funds and in the type and amount of AmeriCorps member positions – as determined by the 

scope of the projects.

3. Project and Award Period 

The project period is generally one year, with a start date proposed by the applicant. The grant award covers a three-year 

project period unless otherwise specified. In most cases, the application is submitted with a one-year budget. 

Continuation funding for subsequent years is not guaranteed and shall be dependent upon availability of appropriations 

and satisfactory performance. 

The project start date may not occur prior to the date CNCS awards the grant. AmeriCorps members may not enroll prior 

to the start date of the award. AmeriCorps members may not begin service prior to the beginning of the member 

enrollment period as designated in the grant award. A program may not certify any hours a member performs prior to the 

beginning of the member enrollment period. 

4. Type of Award 

AmeriCorps Operating Grants: CNCS may award a Cost Reimbursement or a Fixed Amount grant to any successful 

applicant, but the availability of a Full-Time Fixed Amount grant is limited to certain applicants. See the Eligible 

Applicants section and the Mandatory Supplemental Guidance for more information. CNCS will not provide both types 

of grants for the same project in one fiscal year. 
4

Grant Types Cost Reimbursement Fixed Amount

Available 

Subtypes

Traditional Professional Corps Planning 

Grant

FulltimeEducation 

Award 

Program 

(EAP)

Professional Corps

Maximum 

Cost per MSY

$14,932 $1,000* N/A $13,430 $800 $1,000*

Type of Slots 

in the 

National 

Service Trust

All All N/A Fulltime or 

Less 

than 

Fulltime 

serving

in a fulltime 

capacity

All Full-time only

Budget 

Submission 

Required

Yes No Yes, if requesting 

operating funds

Availability 

of Funds 

linked to 

enrollment 

and retention 

of awarded 

MSYs

No Yes

Special 

Requirements

N/A Must place qualified 

professionals in 

communities with an 

inadequate number 

of such 

professionals. 

Member salaries 

must be paid entirely 

by organization 

where member 

serves and not 

included in budget. 

See 

Notice

N/A Must place qualified 

professionals in 

communities with an 

inadequate number 

of such 

professionals. 

Member salaries 

must be paid entirely

by organization 

where member 

serves and not 

included in budget. 

Financial 

Reporting 

Requirements

Yes Yes; Living 

allowance or salary 

paid to members 

may not be counted 

toward the match 

requirements

Yes No

Available to 

new 

Applicants

Yes No Yes

*CNCS requires Professional Corps programs to cover the operating expenses associated with the AmeriCorps program 

through non CNCS resources. CNCS will only consider operating funds of up to $1,000 per MSY if an applicant is able 

to demonstrate significant organizational financial need and substantial challenges to raising non-CNCS resources based 

on the materials reviewed by the Office of Grant Management. 
5

Planning Grants: CNCS is seeking applications for planning grants that will be used to develop new national service 

models 

C. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 

1. Eligible Applicants 

Only Federally-recognized Indian Tribes (as defined in 2 C.F.R. §200.54) and tribal organizations controlled, 

sanctioned, or chartered by Indian Tribes are eligible to apply. An entity applying on behalf of a federallyrecognized tribe, or multiple specific federally-recognized tribes, must submit a sanctioning resolution, applicable 

for the entirety of the period of performance that the applicant is applying for, adopted by the Tribal Council (or 

comparable tribal governing body) of each Indian Tribe. The resolution(s) must identify the entity by name as a 

tribal organization and indicate whether it is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by an Indian Tribe(s). It must 

authorize the entity to be the legal applicant and act on behalf of and include the Indian Tribe(s) in a CNCS 

application for the purpose of conducting the activities and providing the services described in the application. A 

current resolution will not suffice to meet this requirement unless the resolution applies for the entire period of 

performance of the award, i.e. current resolutions that are applicable to a previous AmeriCorps award at the time of 

the application submission, but expire during the prospective period of performance of a new award, do not meet 

this requirement. 

Previously receiving funds from CNCS or another federal agency is not a prerequisite to apply to this Notice. 

New Applicants 

CNCS encourages organizations that have not received prior funding from CNCS to apply.

New applicants are eligible to apply for Cost Reimbursement and Education Award Program (EAP) grants but are not 

eligible to apply for Full-Time Fixed Amount grants. Existing subgrantees/operating sites of Fixed Amount and Cost 

Reimbursement grantees who can demonstrate a successful history and current capacity to manage a Fixed Amount grant 

are considered to have AmeriCorps experience and therefore can apply for Fixed Amount grants. See Mandatory 

Supplemental Guidance for more information. 

2. Threshold Issues 

Applications should reflect that they meet the following threshold requirements for the grant type for which they are 

applying. 

 Professional Corps applicants and/or applicants determined to be a Professional Corps by CNCS must demonstrate 

that the community in which it will place AmeriCorps members serving as professionals has an inadequate number 

of said professionals. 

 Applications for a Full-Time Fixed Amount grant must reflect that only full-time or less than full-time positions 

serving in a full-time capacity. 

 If the proposed service activities require specialized member qualifications and/or training (for example, tutoring 

programs: 45 CFR §2522.910-.940), the applicant must describe how the program will meet these requirements. 

3. Other Requirements 

Under section 132A(b) of the NCSA, organizations that have been convicted of a federal crime may not receive 

assistance described in this Notice. 

Note that under section 745 of Title VII, Division E of the Consolidated Appropriations

Act, 2016, if CNCS is aware that any corporation has any unpaid Federal tax liability which—

 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.1 A similar restriction may be enacted with 

the appropriation which will fund awards under this Notice. However, this exclusion will not apply to a corporation 

 

1 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.
6

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 interest of the federal government 

Pursuant to the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an organization described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue 

Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4) that engages in lobbying activities is not eligible to apply for CNCS funding.

D. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 

This Notice should be read together with the AmeriCorps Regulations, 45 CFR §§ 2520–2550, the Mandatory 

Supplemental Guidance, Application Instructions, and the National Performance Measure Instructions which are 

incorporated by reference. These documents can be found at http://www.nationalservice.gov/build-yourcapacity/grants/funding-opportunities. The full Regulations are available online at www.ecfr.gov. 

1. Address to Request Application Package 

Applicants should refer to CNCS Funding Opportunities to obtain the necessary information to apply. Applicants can 

also send an email to americorpsgrants@cns.gov or call (202) 606-7508 for a printed copy of the application materials. 

The TTY (Text Telephone) number is (800) 833-3722. 

2. Content and Form of Application Submission 

a. Application Content 

In CNCS’s web-based management system, applicants will enter the following components of a complete application: 

 Standard Form 424 (SF-424) Face Sheet: This is automatically generated when applicants complete the data 

elements in the system 

 Narratives 

 Executive Summary 

 Program Design 

 Organizational Capability 

 Cost Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy 

 Evaluation Plan (if applicable) 

 Logic Model 

 Standard Form 424 Budget 

 Performance Measures 

 Authorization, Assurances, and Certification 

b. Page Limits 

There are three page limits that must be adhered to: Narrative, Logic Model, and Learning Memo (if recompeting). 

Narrative 

Applications must not exceed 12 pages for the Narratives. 

In determining whether an application complies with page limits, CNCS will count the following for the narrative: 

 The application’s Executive Summary, SF 424 Facesheet, and 

 The Narrative portions contained in the Program Design, Organizational Capacity, and Cost Effectiveness and 

Budget Adequacy sections of the application. 

CNCS will consider the number of pages only as they print out from the “Review” tab in CNCS’s web-based 

management system (where you will see the “View/Print your application” heading) when determining compliance for 

page limits. CNCS will not consider the results of any alternative printing methods in determining whether an application 

complies with the applicable page limits. CNCS strongly encourages applicants to print out the application from the 

“Review” tab prior to submission to check that the application does not exceed the page limit. The application page limit 

does not include the Budget, narrative portion of the Evaluation Plan, the Logic Model, performance measures, or the 

supplementary materials, if applicable. 

Logic Model 
7

The Logic Model may not exceed three pages when printed with the application from the “Review” tab in CNCS’s webbased management system. 

Please note the length of a document in word processing software may be different than what will print out in the 

CNCS’s web-based system. Reviewers will not consider any submitted material that exceeds the page limits in the 

printed report, also, note that the system will not prevent an applicant from entering text that will exceed page 

limitations. This applies to both the application page limit and the Logic Model page limit. 

Learning Memo (if a recompeting applicant) 

The learning memo must be in a 12 point font or larger and should not exceed three single sided pages double spaced 

text. (See 7.c. Submission of Additional Documents) 

3. Dun and Bradstreet University Numbering System (DUNS) Number & System for Award Management (SAM) 

Applications must include a DUNS number and an Employer Identification Number. The DUNS number does not 

replace an Employer Identification Number. DUNS numbers may be obtained at no cost by calling the DUNS number 

request line at (866) 705-5711 or by applying online: DUNS Request Service. CNCS recommends registering at least 30 

days before the application due date. 

After obtaining a DUNS number, all applicants must register with the SAM and maintain an active SAM registration 

until the application process is complete and, if a grant is awarded, throughout the life of the award. SAM registration 

must be renewed annually. CNCS suggests finalizing a new registration or renewing an existing one at least two weeks 

before the application deadline to allow time to resolve any issues that may arise. Applicants must use their SAMregistered legal name and address on all grant applications to CNCS. 

Applicants who do not comply with these requirements may be ineligible to receive or maintain an award. See the SAM 

Quick Guide for Grantees.

4. Submission Dates and Times 

a. Notification of Intent to Apply 

Submission of a Notification of Intent to Apply is strongly encouraged for this competition and is due Monday, April 2, 

2018. Eligibility is not based on submission of Notification of Intent to Apply. Please send the intent by using this link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2018ACTribesIntent. All Notifications of Intent to Apply will receive an email 

response acknowledging receipt. 

Continuation grantees who are only submitting continuation applications should not submit a Notification of Intent to 

Apply. 

b. Application Submission Deadline 

Applications are due Wednesday, May 2, 2018 by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This deadline applies to new, recompeting, 

and continuation applicants. 

c. Additional Documents Deadline 

Any required additional documents are due on the application deadline. See Submission of Additional Documents section 

for other guidance.

d. Late Applications 

All applications received after the submission deadline published in the Notice are presumed to be non-compliant. In 

order to overcome this presumption, the applicant must: 

 provide a written explanation or justification of the extenuating circumstance(s) that caused the delay, including: 

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

 the ticket number if a request for assistance was submitted to the National Service Hotline 

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

 any other documentation or evidence that supports the justification 

 ensure that CNCS receives the justification and any other evidence that substantiates the claimed extenuating 

circumstance(s) via email to LateApplications@cns.gov no later than one business day after the application deadline 

stated in the Notice. 
8

Communication with CNCS staff, including an applicant’s program officer, is not a substitute for the letter. Applicants 

are required to continue working in CNCS’s web-based application system and with the National Service Hotline to 

submit the application. CNCS will determine whether or not to accept a late application on a case-by-case basis. 

Applicants that do not submit a justification or any other evidence to overcome the presumption of non-compliance 

within the published timeframe will not be reviewed or selected for award. 

Please note: CNCS will not consider an advance request to submit a late application. Applicants are encouraged to 

continue working on their application until it is submitted. If you are experiencing technical difficulties or an impediment 

beyond your control such as a natural disaster, please carefully review and follow the guidance listed above, and submit 

your application as soon as possible. 

5. Intergovernmental Review 

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

6. Funding Restrictions 

a. Member Living Allowance 

A living allowance is not considered a salary or a wage. Programs are not required to provide a living allowance for 

members serving in less than full-time terms of service. If a program chooses to provide a living allowance to a less than 

full-time member, it must comply with the maximum limits in the table below. For Cost Reimbursement grants, the 

amount must be included in the proposed budget as either CNCS or grantee share. Exceptions are noted below. 

While Fixed Amount grant applicants are not required to submit detailed budgets, they are still required to provide a 

living allowance to members that complies with the minimum and maximum requirements. Exceptions noted below. 

Fixed Amount grant applicants are not required to indicate that amount in the application and should request those 

positions as “without living allowance” in the budget. 

Table: Minimum and Maximum Living Allowance 

Service Term Minimum # 

of Hours

Minimum Living 

Allowance

Maximum Total Living 

Allowance 

Full-time 1,700 $13,732 $27,464

Half-time 900 n/a $14,539

Reduced Half-time 675 n/a $10,905

Quarter-time 450 n/a $7,270

Minimum-time 300 n/a $4,847

Exceptions to the Living Allowance Requirements 

1. Programs existing prior to September 21, 1993 are not required to offer a living allowance. If an applicant chooses to 

offer a living allowance, it is exempt from the minimum requirement, but not the maximum requirement. 

2. EAP Grantees are not required to provide a living allowance, but if a living allowance is provided, it must comply 

with the maximum requirements set forth in the Living Allowance Table above. 

3. Professional Corps Grantees must provide members a living allowance or salary, which must meet the minimum, but 

may exceed the maximum living allowance set in the Living Allowance Table above. Professional Corps member 

salaries and all benefits are paid entirely by the organizations with which the members serve, and are not included in the 

budget request to CNCS (federal or matching share.) 

b. Maximum Cost per Member Service Year (MSY) 

The CNCS cost per MSY is determined by dividing the CNCS share of budgeted grant costs by the number of MSYs 

requested. It does not include child care or the value of the education award a member may earn. The maximum amount 

an applicant may request from CNCS per MSY is determined on an annual basis. 
9

New and recompeting Commission sub-grantees/applicants will be held to the maximum cost per MSY for their grant 

type. 

Table: Maximum Cost per MSY 

Grant Program Maximum

Indian Tribes (cost reimbursement) $14,932*

Professional Corps Applicants/ees (Cost Reimbursement) $1,000**

Professional Corps Fixed Amount Applicants/Grantees $1,000*

Education Award Program Fixed Amount Grant $800

Fulltime Fixed Amount Grant $13,430

*Cost reimbursement programs operating in rural communities (as defined in the Mandatory Supplemental Guidance) 

and cost reimbursement programs that recruit opportunity youth as AmeriCorps members may request up to $15,100 cost 

per MSY for the AmeriCorps members who will be serving in rural areas or who are opportunity youth. 

At its discretion, CNCS may award a grant with a cost per MSY at a higher level than published in this Notice. CNCS 

will not award a grant with a cost per MSY that exceeds $19,500. 

**CNCS requires Professional Corps programs to cover the operating expenses associated with the AmeriCorps program 

through non CNCS funds. CNCS will only consider operating funds of up to $1,000 per MSY if an applicant is able to 

demonstrate significant organizational financial need and substantial challenges to raising non-CNCS resources based on 

the materials reviewed by the Office of Grant Management. 

CNCS reserves the right to determine whether an applicant is a Professional Corps and whether the legal applicant has 

sufficiently demonstrated that they cannot effectively operate an AmeriCorps program without receiving CNCS 

operating funds. Given the high demand for AmeriCorps funding there may be specific circumstances where CNCS 

determines that either a legal applicant is not a Professional Corps program or is unlikely to demonstrate a need for 

operational funds due to other funding resources. Where CNCS’s due diligence review of a Professional Corps 

application shows that the applicant has a historically high level of support from non-CNCS sources, and as a result has 

levels of unrestricted funding that is in excess of the requested level of CNCS funding, CNCS may choose to not provide 

additional operational funding. 

c. Segal AmeriCorps Education Award 

AmeriCorps members who successfully complete a term of service will be eligible for an Education Award from the 

National Service Trust. The amount of the Education Award is linked to the value of the Pell Grant. A member has up to 

seven years after his or her term of service to use the Education Award. CNCS will provide the updated Education 

Award amounts at the time of grant award. 

d. Cost Sharing or Matching 

Fixed Amount Grants 

There is no specific match requirement for Fixed Amount grants. CNCS does not provide all the funds necessary to 

operate the program; therefore organizations should raise the additional revenue required to operate the program. 

Cost Reimbursement Grants 

A first-time successful applicant is required to match CNCS funds 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%
10

Section 121(e)(5) of NCSA (42 U.S.C. 12571(e)) requires programs that use other federal funds as match for an 

AmeriCorps grant to report the amount and source of these funds to CNCS on a Federal Financial Report. Grantees must 

track and be prepared to report on that match separately each year and at closeout. 

The living allowance or salary provided to AmeriCorps members in Professional Corps programs (see Mandatory 

Supplemental Guidance) does not count toward the matching requirement. 

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 the regulations at 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 must 

submit a request at the time the application is submitted to ACAlternateMatchRequests@cns.gov.

Match Waiver Requests 

CNCS can waive the matching requirements if doing so would be equitable due to a lack of available financial resources 

at the local level. In accordance with Executive Order 13175, “Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 

Governments,” CNCS will consider requests to waive the matching requirements for Indian tribes or tribal organizations 

with a general view toward increasing opportunities for utilizing flexible policy approaches at the Indian tribal level. 

Indian tribes and tribal organizations must submit any requests for waivers in writing to tribalmatchwaivers@cns.gov. 

The request for a waiver of a match requirement for an NCSA grant program shall be submitted in writing and addressed 

to the Office of Grants Management. The waiver must include the following: 

• A statement that the applicant’s match requirement cannot be met due to a lack of available financial resources at the 

local level. 

• A concise explanation of what steps the applicant has taken to raise match or ascertain its future ability to raise match. 

• A statement of how much of the match has been/is expected to be raised. 

• A request for a specific amount of match to be waived. 

• Any other information that may be helpful in considering this application. 

• Upon receipt of an application for a waiver of a match requirement the assigned grants official in the Office of Grants 

Management shall review the request, seeking clarification from the applicant as needed. If the waiver is approved in 

whole or in part, the assigned grants official shall: 

• Ask the applicant to revise the budget in eGrants to reflect the new match amount. 

• Execute an amendment to the award, if needed. 

• Document the decision in the official grant file. 

• Notify the applicant in writing of the decision (this can be incorporated into the Notice of Grant Award for new 

awards). 

e. 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 C.F.R. § 200.413. States, local governments and Indian Tribes may use approved indirect cost allocation 

plans. All methods must be applied consistently across 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 the 

CNCS’s web-based management system. However, under section 121(d) of the NCSA and CNCS’s regulations at 45 

C.F.R. 2517.710, no more than five percent of award funds may be used to recover indirect costs on AmeriCorps grants. 

7. Other Submission Requirements 

a. Strategic Characteristics 

CNCS will assess an applicant’s strategic considerations. Applicants must check the relevant boxes in the Program 

Information tab in CNCS’s web-based management system in order to be considered for CNCS’s assessment of the 

strategic considerations (see Selection for Funding section.) Applicants should only check the boxes if the strategic 

consideration is a significant and if intentional part of their program design and implementation strategies are described 

in the application. 

b. Electronic Application Submission in CNCS’s web-based management system 
11

Applicants must submit applications electronically via CNCS’s web-based system. CNCS recommends that applicants 

create an account and begin the application at least three weeks before the deadline. Applicants should draft the 

application as a word processing document, then copy and paste the text into the appropriate field no later than ten days 

before the deadline.

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

must be using CNCS’s web-based management system under his or her own account in order 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.

Contact the National Service Hotline at (800) 942-2677 or via Questions if a problem arises when creating an account or 

preparing or submitting the application. Be prepared to provide the application ID, organization’s name, and the Notice 

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 their application via CNCS’s web-based management system.

If extenuating circumstances make it impossible for an applicant to submit in CNCS’s web-based management system, 

applicants may send a paper copy of the application via overnight carrier to the following address:

Corporation for National and Community Service 

ATTN: Office of Grants Policy and Operations/AmeriCorps 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. Paper applications must include a cover letter detailing the circumstances that 

make it impossible to submit via CNCS’s web-based management system. CNCS does not accept applications submitted 

via fax or email.

c. Submission of Additional Documents

Applicants are required to submit the following additional documents by the application submission deadline:

All applicants

 Evaluation briefs, reports, studies. Please refer to the Evidence Base section for detailed instructions by evidence tier.

Recompeting applications

 Evaluation report, if required. Please see the Evidence Base definition in the Mandatory Supplemental Guidance and 

Section E. Evaluation Plan for further information. 

 Learning memo, if required. Any applicant required to submit an evaluation report in order to comply with CNCS 

evaluation requirements must also submit a learning memo that describes how they are using the evaluation to 

improve and to inform their activities in the next funding cycle. The learning memo must be in a 12-point font or 

larger and should not exceed three pages of double-spaced text. The learning memo should include:

 A short summary of key learnings from the evaluation

 An explanation of how the program will incorporate key learnings into its strategy, design or implementation

 An explanation of how these changes will improve the program

 A discussion of how learning from the evaluation may inform next steps in the program’s long-term research 

agenda

Please note that the Learning Memo will not be included in the two-part assessment of an applicant’s evidence base, 

which consists of the assignation of an evidence tier and an assessment of the applicant’s evidence quality and overall 

capacity to collect and use data. Content that an applicant intends to include for assessment as part of the evidence base 

should be included in the Evidence section of the application narrative and/or in submitted evaluation briefs, reports 

and/or studies, as applicable to the evidence tier.

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

 Sanctioning resolution adopted by the tribal council of each Indian Tribe. (See the Eligible Applicants section.)
12

Additional Documents must be emailed to AdditionalDocuments@cns.gov with the labels outlined below. Emails should 

include the following information: 

 Subject line: [Legal Applicant Name]– [Application ID number]

 Body of the email should identify:

 The legal applicant name and its point of contact information

 The application ID number

 A list of documents that should be attached to the email

 Attachments to emails should include

 Individually saved files that are clearly labeled 

 Each file should also include a header or title within the body of each additional document to include the legal 

applicant name and application ID number.

Do not submit other items not requested in this Notice or Application Instructions. CNCS will not review or return them. 

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 

1. Criteria 

Each applicant must describe a project that will deploy AmeriCorps members effectively to solve a significant 

community problem. CNCS 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. 

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 to have [Number of] AmeriCorps members who will [service activities the 

members will be doing] in [the locations the AmeriCorps members will serve]. At the end of the first program year, 

the AmeriCorps members will be responsible for [anticipated outcome of project]. In addition, the AmeriCorps 

members will leverage [number of leveraged volunteers, if applicable] who will be engaged in [what the leveraged 

volunteers will be doing.] 

This program will focus on the CNCS focus area(s) of [Focus Area(s)].* The CNCS investment of $[amount of 

request] will be matched with $[amount of projected match], $[amount of local, state, and federal funds] in public 

funding and $[amount of non-governmental funds] in private funding. 

*If the program is not operating in a CNCS focus area, omit this sentence. 

Fixed-Amount grant applicants (EAP, Full-time Fixed) should list their Other Revenue (see Mandatory Supplemental 

Guidance) because they are not required to provide a specific amount of match, but still must raise significant additional 

resources to operate the program. 

CNCS will post all Executive Summaries of awarded grant applications on www.nationalservice.gov in the interest of 

transparency and Open Government. 

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. Need (4 points) 

 The problem the program will address is prevalent and severe in communities where members will serve and has 

been documented with relevant data. 

“Community” can be a geographic region, a specific population of people, or a combination of both. The applicant must 

document the need it plans to address with its proposed program, whether it is a defined geographic community or a 

subset of individuals living in a particular area. 

2. Theory of Change and Logic Model (24 points) 
13

The Theory of Change shall address: 

 The proposed intervention is responsive to the identified community problem. 

 The applicant’s proposed intervention is clearly articulated including the design, dosage, target population, and roles 

of AmeriCorps members and (if applicable) leveraged volunteers.

 The applicant’s intervention is likely to lead to the outcomes identified in the applicant’s theory of change.

 The expected outcomes articulated in the application narrative and logic model represent meaningful progress in 

addressing the community problem identified by the applicant. 

 The rationale for utilizing AmeriCorps members to deliver the intervention(s) is reasonable.

 The service role of AmeriCorps members will produce significant contributions to existing efforts to address the 

stated problem. 

The Logic Model shall depict:

 A summary of the community problem outlined in the narrative.

 The inputs or resources that are necessary to deliver the intervention, including but not limited to:

 Number of locations or sites in which members will provide services

 Number of AmeriCorps members that will deliver the intervention

 The core activities that define the intervention or program model that members will implement or deliver, including:

 The duration of the intervention (e.g., the total number of weeks, sessions or months of the intervention)

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

 The target population for the intervention (e.g., disconnected youth, third graders at a certain reading proficiency 

level)

 The measurable outputs that result from delivering the intervention (i.e. number of beneficiaries served, hours of 

service delivered, types and number of activities conducted.) If applicable, identify which National Performance 

Measures will be used as output indicators

 Outcomes that demonstrate changes in knowledge/skill, attitude, behavior, or condition that occur as a result of the 

intervention. If applicable, identify which National Performance Measures will be used as outcome indicators.

Note: The logic model is a visual representation of the applicant’s theory of change. Programs may include short, 

medium or long-term outcomes in the logic model. Applicants are not required to measure all components of their 

theory of change. The applicant’s performance measures should be consistent with the program’s theory of change and 

should represent significant program activities. 

In the application narrative, applicants should discuss their rationale for setting output and outcome targets for their 

performance measures. Recompeting applicants proposing to significantly increase or decrease output or outcome 

targets from their previous grant must provide a justification for this change. 

Applicants should use National Performance Measures if they are part of the program’s theory of change. Applicants are 

not required to use National Performance Measures and should only use them if they are part of the program’s theory of 

change. Rationales and justifications should be informed by the organization’s performance data (e.g., program data 

observed over time suggests targets are reasonable), relevant research (e.g. targets documents by organizations running 

similar programs with similar populations), or prior program evaluation findings.

Applicants with multiple interventions should complete one Logic Model chart which incorporates each intervention. 

Logic model content that exceeds three pages will not be reviewed.

3. Evidence Base (12 points)

The assessment of an applicant’s evidence base has two steps. First, the applicant will be assigned to an evidence tier. 

(See the Mandatory Supplemental Guidance.) Second, the quality of the applicant’s evidence and the applicant’s overall 

capacity to collect and use data (including performance measurement and evaluation data) will be assessed and scored.

Evidence Tier:

An evidence tier will be assessed for each applicant for the purpose of applying the strategic characteristics 

(moderate/strong evidence) and understanding the relative strength of each applicant’s evidence base and the likelihood 

that the proposed intervention will lead to outcomes identified in the logic model. Applicants should use the evidence 

checklist to self-assess their evidence tier before completing the application.
14

Applicants must 1) state the evidence tier in which they think they qualify; 2) clearly indicate and describe the evidence 

that supports the highest evidence tier for which they are eligible and 3) describe the complete body of evidence that 

supports their program intervention including evidence from lower tiers. Applicants should pay particular attention to 

the requirements for each tier of evidence. All requirements must be met in order for applicants to be assigned to a tier. 

Applicants who do not fully describe their evidence base may not be assigned to a tier for which the applicant otherwise 

may have qualified.

CNCS values and funds programs at all points along the evidence continuum and expects programs to progress along the 

evidence continuum over time. Thus, do not be deterred from applying for funding due to your current evidence level. 

Applicants classifying their evidence as preliminary who propose to replicate an identical or similar evidence-based 

intervention, as well as applicants classifying their evidence as either moderate or strong evidence should reference the 

information about the evidence tiers. Submission of additional documents (e.g., advocacy pieces, policy briefs, other 

narratives that are not research studies or program evaluations) that are not consistent with the guidance and requirements 

described in the Notice will not be reviewed.

All applicants must include as much detailed information as possible in the Evidence section of the application. All 

applicants who have collected relevant performance measurement data must describe this data fully as outlined in the 

requirements for the pre-preliminary evidence tier. Applicants who have conducted evaluations of their own program or 

that are replicating other evidence-based programs must describe these evaluations in the application narrative as 

outlined in the evidence tier descriptions. Applicants are advised to focus on presenting high-quality evidence from up to

two of the strongest and most relevant studies while also summarizing the remaining body of evidence that exists for the 

program. Studies must be evaluations of specific programs or interventions. Research that does not focus on a specific 

program or intervention, but rather focuses on a broader issue area or population, will not be considered applicable and 

will not be reviewed or receive any points. 

When describing research studies or evaluations in the application narrative, applicants must include the following 

information in order to earn points:

1) The date the research or evaluation was completed, and the time period for which the intervention was examined

2) A description that shows the study’s relevance to the proposed intervention

3) A description of the target population studied (e.g., the demographics)

4) The methodology used in the study (e.g., outcome study, random assignment, regression discontinuity design, 

propensity score matching, etc.)

5) A description of the data, data source, and data collection methods

6) The outcomes or impacts examined and the study findings

7) The strength of the findings (e.g., effect size, confidence level, statistical power of the study design and statistical 

significance of findings). 

Applicants must provide this information in the narrative even if they submit the study or evaluation. Applicants should 

provide citations for the studies they describe, if applicable; however, reviewers will not review any links or cited 

documents referenced in the application and will not review any additional documents that is not a study submitted in 

accordance with the Notice instructions.

Reviewers will examine the descriptions (and attached studies if relevant) using the following criteria:

a) How closely the intervention evaluated in the studies matches the one proposed by the applicant; 

b) The methodological quality and rigor of the studies presented (e.g., sample size and statistical 

power, internal and/or external validity, use of control or equivalent comparison groups, baseline equivalence and 

study attrition, etc.); 

c) Strength and consistency of the findings, with preference given to findings that show a 

meaningful and persistent positive effect on participants demonstrated with confidence levels; and 

d) The date of the study, with a preference towards studies that have been conducted within the last six years.

If the evidence submitted as part of an application does not describe a well-designed and well-implemented evaluation, 

the applicant may be considered for a lower evidence tier. Applicants must meet all requirements of the evidence tier in 

order to be considered for that tier. Applicants who do not meet all requirements will be considered for a lower tier.
15

Evidence Quality and Evaluation Capacity 

After the applicant’s evidence tier has been assessed, the quality of the applicant’s evidence and the applicant’s overall 

capacity to collect and use data (including performance measurement and evaluation data) will be assessed and scored. 

Applicants must address the following standards in the application narrative. The standards are weighted differently for 

applicants in different evidence tiers to reflect expected variations in program life cycle and evaluation capacity at each 

stage of the evidence continuum. 

Evidence Quality and Evaluation Capacity Standards No Evidence & 

Pre-Preliminary

Points

Preliminary

Points

Moderate 

& Strong 

Points

The applicant’s evidence is of satisfactory quality. Applicants with no 

evidence describe an evidence-informed theory of change.

2 2 2

The applicant’s data collection systems are sufficient to yield high 

quality process and outcome data.

5 4 1

The applicant demonstrates adequate capacity to use process and 

outcome data including performance measurement (and evaluation data 

if applicable) to inform continuous learning and program improvement.

5 5 5

The applicant’s long-term research agenda is aligned to the 

organization’s learning needs and position on the evidence continuum 

(evidence tier).

0 1 4

Evidence quality and evaluation capacity standards must be addressed in the application narrative. All applicants, 

including new grantees, are required to provide additional information in the Evaluation Summary or Plan field of the 

application (See Section E. Evaluation Plan); however, information provided in the Evaluation Summary or Plan field 

will not be scored and will not be reviewed until after funding decisions have been made.

4. Notice Priority (3 points) 

 The applicant proposed program fits within one or more of the 2018 AmeriCorps funding priorities as outlined in the 

Funding Priorities section and more fully described in the Mandatory Supplemental Guidance and the proposed 

program meets all of the requirements detailed in the Funding Priorities section and in the Mandatory Supplemental 

Guidance. 

5. Member Experience (7 points) 

 AmeriCorps members will gain skills as a result of their training and service that can be utilized and will be valued 

by future employers after their service term is completed. 

 AmeriCorps members will have access to meaningful service experiences that includes education about the 

community problem/need and the community in which they will serve. 

 AmeriCorps members will have access to opportunities for reflection that involves the intentional processing of 

members’ experience and the incorporation of lessons learned 

 The program will recruit AmeriCorps members from the geographic or demographic communities in which the 

programs operate. 

 The applicant will also foster an inclusive service culture where different backgrounds, talents, and capabilities are 

welcomed and leveraged for learning and effective service delivery.

C. Organizational Capability (25 percent) 

Reviewers will consider the quality of the application’s response to the following criteria below. Do not assume all subcriteria are of equal value. 

1. Organizational Background and Staffing (7 points) 

 The organization has the experience, staffing, and management structure to plan and implement the proposed 

program. 

2. Compliance and Accountability (8 points) 
16

 The organization will comply with AmeriCorps rules and regulations including those related to prohibited and 

unallowable activities at the grantee, subgrantee (if applicable), and service site locations. 

 The applicant will hold subgrantees (if applicable) and service site locations accountable if instances of risk or 

noncompliance are identified. 

 If applicable, the CNCS-required evaluation report meets CNCS requirements. 

 If applicable, the CNCS-required evaluation report is of satisfactory quality. 

3. Culture that Values Learning (8 points) 

 The applicant's board, management, and staff collects and uses information for learning and decision making. 

 The applicant's management and staff produces frequent reports on how well the organization is implementing its 

programs and strategies. 

4. Member Supervision (2 points) 

 AmeriCorps members will receive sufficient guidance and support from their supervisor to provide effective service. 

 AmeriCorps supervisors will be adequately trained/prepared to follow AmeriCorps and program regulations, 

priorities, and expectations. 

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 subcriteria are of equal value. 

This criteria will be assessed based on the budget submitted. No narrative should be entered in the narrative box 

except for “See budget”

1. Cost Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy (25 points) 

 Budget is submitted without mathematical errors and proposed costs are allowable, reasonable, and allocable to the 

award. 

 Budget is submitted with adequate information to assess how each line item is calculated. 

 Budget is in compliance with the budget instructions. 

 Match is submitted with adequate information to support the amount written in the budget. 

 The cost per MSY is equal to or less than the maximum cost per MSY. 

Proposed budgets that contain MSY costs that exceed the maximum cost per MSY and/or less than required match will 

be considered unresponsive to the application criteria. 

Applicants must complete the budget and ensure the following information is in the budget screens: 

 Current indirect rate cost if used to claim indirect/administrative costs. 

 Identify the non-CNCS funding and resources necessary to support the project, including for Fixed Amount 

applicants. 

 Indicate the amount of non-CNCS resource commitments, type of commitments (in-kind and/or cash), the sources of 

these commitments, and if the commitments are proposed or secured. 

E. Evaluation Plan (0 percent) 

If the applicant is competing for the first time, please provide a data collection plan in the “Evaluation Summary or Plan” 

field that includes the following: 

 A description of the applicant’s data collection system and how it is sufficient to collect high quality performance 

measurement data during the first three years of the grant. If the applicant does not yet have a data collection 

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

 A description of how the applicant will use performance data (including CNCS performance measures and other 

process and outcome measures if applicable) to improve its program in the first three years of funding. 

First-time applicants should be aware that CNCS may require submission of data collection instruments if a grant is 

approved for funding. 
17

If the applicant is recompeting for AmeriCorps funds for the first time (see definition of “recompeting” below) the 

program must submit its evaluation plan in the “Evaluation Summary or Plan” section of the Narratives field in CNCS’s 

web-based management system. If the applicant is recompeting for a subsequent time, the program must submit its 

evaluation report and a learning memo as attachments (see the Submission of Additional Documents section for more 

information), and must also submit an evaluation plan for the next three-year period in the “Evaluation Summary or 

Plan” field in the system. Evaluations plans submitted outside of the system will not be reviewed. 

Evaluation plans must include as much information as possible for each of the following (see Frequently Asked 

Questions: Evaluation, available at http://www.nationalservice.gov/resources/evaluation/cncs-evaluation-policies): 

 A short description of the theory of change - why the proposed intervention is expected to produce the proposed 

results 

 Outcome of interest - clear and measurable outcomes that are aligned with the theory of change and will be assessed 

during the evaluation 

 Research questions to be addressed by the study - concrete research questions (or hypotheses) that are clearly 

connected to the outcomes 

 Study components – a) a proposed research design for the evaluation including a rationale for the design selected, an 

assessment of its strengths and limitations, and a description of the main components; b) description of the sampling 

methods, measurement tools, and data collection procedures, and c) an analysis plan 

 Qualifications needed for the evaluator 

 The proposed budget 

Evaluation plans for successful applicants will be reviewed after funding decisions have been made. CNCS will either 

approve the evaluation plan or provide feedback on changes required before the plan will be approved. Grantees whose 

plans are not approved will revise evaluation plans in response to the feedback provided. 

For more information about evaluation plans visit the CNCS Knowledge Network’s Evaluation Resources: 

http://www.nationalservice.gov/resources/evaluation/planning-evaluation.

The evaluation requirements differ depending on the amount of the grant, as described in 45 CFR §2522.710: 

 If the applicant is a State/Territory subgrantee and/or National Direct Grantee (other than an Education Award 

Program grantee), and its average annual CNCS program grant is $500,000 or more, it must arrange for an external 

evaluation of the program, and it must submit the evaluation with any subsequent application to CNCS for 

competitive funds as required in 45 CFR §2522.730. 

 If the applicant is a State/Territory subgrantee and/or National Direct Grantee whose average annual CNCS program 

grant is less than $500,000, or an Education Award Program Grantee, it must conduct an internal or an external 

evaluation of the program, and it must submit the evaluation with any subsequent application to CNCS for 

competitive funds as required in 45 CFR §2522.730. 

For purposes of compliance with evaluation plan and report requirements, a program will be considered a recompeting 

application if it satisfies the CNCS definition of “same project” (see Mandatory Supplemental Guidance) and has been 

funded competitively for at least three of the last five years. If the project satisfies the definition of same project and the 

applicant has received competitive funding for at least three of the last five years, it will be required to submit an 

evaluation plan. If the project satisfied the definition of same project and the applicant has completed two or more 

competitively funded three-year cycles, including at least four years of competitive funding in the last five years, the 

applicant will be required to submit an evaluation report as well as an evaluation plan for the upcoming 3 year grant. If 

the project does not satisfy the definition of recompeting, it will not be required to submit an evaluation plan or 

completed evaluation report. 

The “Evaluation Summary or Plan” field of the Narrative does not count toward the page limit of the application; 

however, it does have a set character limit of 10,000 characters. Applicants should print out the plan to ensure the 

narrative does not exceed the character limits when entered in CNCS’s web-based management system. 

Grantees that are recompeting for funds may be eligible to apply for approval of an alternative evaluation approach. 

Grantees requesting approval of an alternative evaluation approach should submit a request for approval of an alternative 

evaluation approach along with their evaluation plan in the Evaluation Summary or Plan field in the system. The request 

should clearly explain: (a) the evaluation constraints faced by the program, (b) why the proposed approach is the most 
18

rigorous option feasible, and (c) how the proposed alternative approach will help the grantee build their evidence base. 

Evaluation plans should include, at a minimum, the required elements listed in this Notice. The evaluation plan must be 

consistent with the information submitted in the competitive funding application and in the request for approval of an 

alternative evaluation approach. CNCS guidance on alternative evaluation approaches can be found at: 

https://www.nationalserviceresources.gov/files/guidance_for_grantees_approval_of_alternative_evaluation_approach.pdf 

If the request for the alternative evaluation approach and the evaluation plan itself will exceed the character limit of the 

evaluation summary or plan field in the system, the applicant should do the following: 

 Enter the evaluation plan in the evaluation summary or plan field in the system. 

 Include a note in the evaluation summary or plan field stating that the applicant is requesting an alternative 

evaluation approach. 

 Include the alternative evaluation approach at the END of the application narrative with the heading “REQUEST 

FOR ALTERNATIVE EVALUATION APPROACH.” This section of the application narrative will not count 

against the page limit. 

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. 

G. Clarification Information (0 percent) 

Enter N/A. This field will be used to enter information that requires clarification in the post-review period. 

H. Continuation Changes (0 percent) 

Enter N/A. This field will be used to enter changes in the application narratives in continuation requests. 

Criteria for Planning Grants 

Executive Summary (fill in the blanks) (0 percent): 

The [Name of the organization] proposes to develop an AmeriCorps program serving in [the location(s) the AmeriCorps 

program will serve] that will focus on the CNCS focus area(s) of [Focus Area(s)]. The CNCS investment of $[amount of 

request] will be matched with $[amount of projected match], $[amount of local, state, tribal, and federal funds] in public 

funding and $[amount of non-governmental funds] in private funding. No AmeriCorps members will be needed to 

execute this plan. 

Program Design (50 percent)

1. Problem/Need (20 points): 

 The community problem is prevalent and severe in communities where the program plans to serve and has been 

documented with relevant data. 

 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, including: 

o A detailed description of who is leading the planning process. 

o A clear description of how the planning period will be used to develop the necessary components to effectively 

manage an AmeriCorps program in the future. 

 The planning timeline 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 Commitment to AmeriCorps Identity 

o Program Compliance and Accountability 

o Securing Match Support for the Program 
19

Organizational Capability (25 percent)

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 prior experience in the proposed area of programming (if any). 

 The applicant describes its plans to engage community members and partner organizations in the planning process. 

Cost Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy (25 percent)

(Same as other AmeriCorps Applications) 

E. Evaluation Plan (0 percent) 

 Enter N/A 

G. Clarification Information (0 percent) 

 Enter N/A. This field will be used to enter information that requires clarification in the post-review period. 

2. Review and Selection Process 

CNCS will make determination about applicants utilizing the data provided within the application and supplemental 

materials. These determinations may be different than what the applicant self-determined upon submission of its 

application. 

a. Compliance and Eligibility Review 

CNCS staff will conduct a Compliance Review to determine if an application meets the compliance requirements 

published in this Notice and advances to the next stage of the review process. Applications determined non-compliant 

will not be considered for funding. An application is compliant if the applicant:

 Is an eligible organization 

 Is eligible to submit directly to CNCS 

 Submits 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, a determination of eligibility can take place at any point during the application review and selection 

process. Applicants that are determined to be non-compliant and ineligible will not receive an award. 

b. Review 

Each application will be assessed by several CNCS staff. Staff reviewers will evaluate the application using the 

application review criteria, consider the comprehensiveness and feasibility of the application, and assess the priorities 

and strategic considerations detailed in the Notice. External Reviewers will review and assess the evidence base criteria 

in the Notice. All reviewers will be screened for conflicts of interest. 

c. Post Review Quality Control 

After the reviewers complete their assessment, CNCS staff will review the results for fairness and consistency. Some 

applications may be selected for a Quality Control assessment if there are significant panel anomalies. 

d. Risk Assessment Evaluation

CNCS staff will evaluate the risks to the program posed by each applicant, including conducting due diligence to ensure 

an applicant's ability to manage federal funds and the applicant’s past performance (if applicable.) This evaluation is in 

addition to the evaluation of the applicant’s eligibility for funding and the quality of its application on the basis of the 

Selection Criteria. Results from this evaluation will inform funding decisions. If CNCS determines that an award will be 

made, special conditions that correspond to the degree of risk assessed may be applied to the award. In evaluating risks, 

CNCS may consider the following, but not limited to: 

 Financial capability and capacity to manage Federal funds 

 Quality of financial management systems and ability to meet the administrative standards prescribed in applicable 

OMB Guidance 

 History of performance as reflected in the applicant’s record in managing previous CNCS awards, cooperative 
20

agreements, or procurement awards, including: 

 Timeliness of compliance with applicable reporting requirements, 

 If applicable, meeting matching requirements, and 

 If applicable, the extent to which any previously awarded amounts will be expended prior to future awards 

 Information available through any OMB-designated repositories of government-wide eligibility qualification or 

financial integrity information, such as—

 Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), 

 U.S. Treasury Bureau of Fiscal Services 

 Dun and Bradstreet, or 

 “Do Not Pay”

 Reports and findings from single audits performed under Uniform Administrative Guidance (formerly OMB Circular 

A-133) and findings of any other available audits 

 IRS Tax Form 990 

 An applicant organization's annual report 

 Publicly available information including information from an applicant organization's website 

 Any other information listed in 45 CFR § 2522.140 

 The applicant’s ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements.

 Past Performance 

CNCS will assess its recompeting grantees related to past performance. This assessment is in addition to the evaluation 

of the applicant’s eligibility for funding or the quality of its application on the basis of the Selection Criteria. Results 

from this assessment will inform funding decisions. In evaluating programmatic performance, CNCS will consider the 

following for applicants that are current formula and competitive grantees: 

 Grant progress reports – attainment of Performance Measures 

 Enrollment and retention 

 Compliance with 30 day enrollment and exit requirements in the AmeriCorps portal 

 Site visit or other monitoring findings (if applicable) 

 OIG findings (if applicable) 

 Significant opportunities and/or risks of the grantee related to national service 

Additionally, CNCS may use the results of the review of the risk assessment evaluation in determining which 

applications to fund. If CNCS concludes that the reasons for applicants having poor risk assessment evaluations are not 

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

e. Consideration of Integrity and Performance System Information 

Prior to making any award that exceeds $150,000, CNCS is required to review and consider any information about the 

applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM and FAPIIS (see 41 U.S.C. 

2313). Additionally CNCS may expand upon these requirements and use its discretion to review and consider 

information about any applicant receiving an award, including those under $150,000. 

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; 

CNCS will consider any 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. 

f. Applicant Clarification 

Some applicants may receive requests to provide clarifying information and/or make changes to their application 

including changes to the budget. This information is used by CNCS staff in making funding recommendations. 

Applications may be recommended for funding even if they are not asked clarification questions. A request for 
21

clarification does not guarantee a grant award. Failure to respond to requests for clarification adequately and in a timely 

manner may result in the removal of applications from consideration. 

g. Selection for Funding 

The assessment of applications involves a wide range of factors and considerations. CNCS staff will apply their 

experience and expertise in evaluating and recommending applications. CNCS will engage external reviewers to provide 

insight and input with respect to the evidence base of eligible applications. In the end, the review and selection process 

will produce a diversified set of high-quality programs that reflect the priorities and strategic consideration described in 

this Notice.

Specifically, the review and selection process will: 

A. Identify how well eligible applications are aligned with application review criteria and/or represent relative risk and/or 

opportunity. 

B. Yield a diversified portfolio based on the following strategic considerations: 

 Meaningful representation of 

 Geographic diversity 

 CNCS Notice Priorities representation 

 Focus area representation 

 Moderate and Strong evidence levels

 Program models that demonstrate a new approach to solving a community problem based on thorough 

 review of existing research and evaluation about existing approaches to the problem 

 Program models that will utilize AmeriCorps members to replicate evidence-based programs with fidelity 

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 

Chief Executive Officer will endeavor to include a diverse portfolio of applications based on staff evaluations, 

recommendations, priorities, and strategic considerations. 

CNCS reserves the right to adjust or make changes to the review process, in the event that unforeseen challenges or 

exigent circumstances make it impossible, impractical or inefficient to execute the review process as planned. Any such 

adjustments or changes will not affect the selection criteria that will be used to assess applications submitted to CNCS 

in response to this Notice. 

4. Feedback to Applicants 

Following grant awards, each applicant will receive summary comments pertaining to their application. Feedback will be 

based on the review of the original application and will not reflect any information that may have been provided in 

response to applicant clarification, if any. All compliant applications will receive feedback from the external review of 

the evidence base portion of their application. 

5. Transparency in Grant-making 

CNCS is committed to transparency in grant-making. The following information for new and re-competing applications 

will be published on CNCS Results of Grant Competitions within 90 business days after all grants are awarded:

 A list of all compliant applications submitted 

 Executive Summaries of all compliant applications submitted by the applicants 

 Data extracted from the SF-424 Face Sheet and the submitted program narratives for successful applications 

 A blank template of the external review worksheet 

 A list of all external reviewers that completed the review process 

 A summary of external reviewer comments for successful applications. 

F. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION 

1. Federal Award Notices 

CNCS will make awards following the grant selection announcement. CNCS anticipates announcing the results of this 

competition by notifying applicants by June 25, 2018, contingent on timely full year appropriations. Applicants will be 

notified of funding decisions via email. This notification is not an authorization to begin grant activities. The Notice of 
22

Grant Award signed by the Grant Officer is the only document authorizing awardees to commence grant activities. 

Unsuccessful applicants will also receive a notification that their application was not approved for funding.

An awardee may not obligate or expend federal funds until the start of the Project Period identified on the Notice of 

Grant Award.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. Uniform Guidance

All awards under this Notice are subject to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit 

Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance), now consolidated in 2 CFR Parts 200 and 2205.

b. Requests for Improper Payment Information

CNCS may, from time to time, 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 temporary manual hold, reimbursement only, or 

other remedies as appropriate. In addition, CNCS may, in appropriate circumstances, consider in its funding decisions 

any previous failures to make timely responses. 

c. CNCS Terms and Conditions

All awards made under this Notice will be subject to the 2018 CNCS General Terms and Conditions, and the 2018 

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 CNCS General and Specific Terms 

and Conditions for each of its programs is available at https://www.nationalservice.gov/resources/terms-and-conditionscncs-grants.

3. National Service Criminal History Check Requirements

The National Service Criminal History Check (NSCHC) is a screening procedure established by law to protect the 

beneficiaries of national service. The law requires recipients to conduct and document NSCHCs on any person (including 

award-funded staff, national service participant, or volunteer) receiving a salary, living allowance, stipend, or education 

award through a program receiving CNCS funds. This includes staff that receive part of their salary through a subgrant. 

An individual is ineligible to serve in a position that receives such CNCS funding if the individual is registered, or 

required to be registered, as a sex offender or has been convicted of murder. The cost of conducting NSCHCs is an 

allowable expense under the award.

Unless CNCS has provided a recipient with a written exemption or written approval of an alternative search procedure, 

recipients must perform the following checks–

All award-funded staff, national service participants, and volunteers must undergo NSCHCs that include:

 A nationwide name-based search of the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and 

 Either 

 A name- or fingerprint-based search of the statewide criminal history registry in the person’s state of residence 

and in the state where the person will serve/work; or 

 A fingerprint-based FBI criminal history check.

Special Rule for Persons Serving Vulnerable Populations. Award-funded staff, national service participants, and 

volunteers with recurring access to vulnerable populations (i.e., children age 17 or younger, individuals age 60 or older, 

or individuals with disabilities) must undergo NSCHCs that include:

 A nationwide name-based check of the NSOPW; and

 Both

 A name- or fingerprint-based search of the statewide criminal history registry in the person’s state of residence 

and in the state where the person will serve/work; and

 A fingerprint-based FBI criminal history check.

See 45 CFR § 2540.200–§ 2540.207 and CNCS Criminal History Check Resources for complete information and FAQs.

4. Use of Material
23

To ensure that materials generated with CNCS funding are available to the public and readily accessible to grantees and 

non-grantees, CNCS 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 (b)). 

5. 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.

Cost reimbursement grantees are required to provide mid-year and end of year progress reports, semi-annual financial 

reports, and an internal or external evaluation report as required by the AmeriCorps regulations 45 CFR §§2522.500-

2522.540 and §§2522.700-2522.740. 

Fixed Amount grantees are required to provide mid-year and end of year progress reports and an internal or external 

evaluation report. All grantees, including Fixed Amount grantees, submit quarterly financial reports to the U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services Payment Management System. 

Award recipients will be required to report at www.FSRS.gov on all subawards over $25,000 and may be required to 

report on executive compensation for your organization and for your subgrantees. Recipients and subrecipients 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 and 

practices that provide reasonable assurance that they are providing CNCS with high quality programmatic and financial 

data. At a minimum, grantees should have policies and practices which address the following five aspects of data quality: 

 The data measures what it intends to measure; 

 The grantee collects data in a consistent manner; 

 The grantee takes steps to correct data errors; 

 The grantee ensures that the data reported is complete; and

 The grantee actively reviews data prior to submission. 

Progress Report Data 

In addition to semi-annual reporting of progress toward the grant’s approved performance measure outputs and 

outcomes, additional demographic and narrative data must be reported annually (as applicable), including the number of 

applicants for AmeriCorps positions and the number of volunteers recruited and/or supported by AmeriCorps members 

(both episodic and ongoing volunteers.) 

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

funding. For further guidance and training resources see – CNCS Performance Measure Resources. 

6. Continuation Funding Information and Requirements 

Organizations that have current AmeriCorps awards that do not end in FY17 must submit an application in order to be 

eligible to receive funding for the following year. Please see the Application Instructions. Requests by existing 

continuation applicants for increases in the level of funding or number of positions will be assessed using the criteria 

under this Notice. 

G. FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT(S) 

This Notice is available at http://www.nationalservice.gov/build-your-capacity/grants/funding-opportunities. The TTY 

number is 202–606-3472. For further information or for a printed copy of this Notice, call (202) 606-7508. For questions 

regarding multi-state or Indian Tribes applications submitted directly to CNCS, please call (202) 606-7508 or send an 

email to americorpsgrants@cns.gov. 

CNCS’ mailing address is: 

Corporation for National and Community Service 

ATTN: Office of Grants Policy and Operations/ASN Application 

250 E St SW 
24

Washington, DC 20525

H. OTHER INFORMATION 

1. Technical Assistance 

In addition to consulting the Application Instructions, Mandatory Supplemental Guidance, Performance Measure 

Instructions, and AmeriCorps regulations as directed in this Notice, Commissions and National Direct applicants are 

encouraged also to consult the CNCS web site for a schedule of technical assistance conference calls, and Frequently 

Asked Questions that are updated during the competition period. Applicants in a single state should consult with their 

Commission. 

2. Reallocation of Funding 

CNCS reserves the right to reallocate funding in the event of disaster or other compelling need for service.