Applying for Federal Grants
Dr. Irem Kiyak, Associate Director
International Business Center
Michigan State University
Potential Sources of Funding
• Good starting point:
http://globaledge.msu.edu/academy/grant-opportunities/
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
Potential Sources of Funding
• U.S. Department of Education (Title VI and FulbrightHays)
• U.S. Department of Commerce (ITA MDCP program)
• FIPSE
• USIA (Affiliations Program)
• Department of Defense
• Small Business Administration (SBDC Program)
• State Agencies
• Local chambers, trade/industry groups
• Large corporations, banks, utility companies
• Foundations (Annenberg, Ford, McArthur, Comerica)
• Revenue-seeking programs/executive training
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
Title VI: Business and International
Education (BIE)
• Provides grants for up to two years to 2- and 4-year
colleges and universities
• Projects range in federal funding from $50,000 to $95,000
per year
• 80-100 applicants apply and US/ED funds between 20-25
new applicants per year
• 20-25 community colleges apply each year and 4-5 are
funded each year
• A panel of international business specialists review the
applications
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
BIE: Eligible Applicants
• Institutions of higher education that enter into a
written agreement with a trade association,
chamber of commerce or business that is
engaged in international economic activity.
• All applicants must also provide one-to-one
matching funds in the form of cash or in-kind
contributions.
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
BIE: Two Requirements
1. Improve the academic teaching of the business
curriculum.
2. Conduct outreach activities that expand the capacity
of the business community to engage in international
economic activities.
The external community in many cases complains
they’ve never heard of the universities. The universities
have never left their campuses to go ask the business
folks what they want and what they need. The BIE
program is designed to strengthen the university’s ties
with the external community.
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
BIE: Authorized Activities
•
Innovation and improvement in international
education curricula to serve the needs of the business
community;
•
Development of program to inform the public of
increasing international economic interdependence;
•
Internationalization of curricula;
•
Development of area studies programs and
interdisciplinary international programs;
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
BIE: Authorized Activities (continued)
•
Establishment of export education programs through
cooperative arrangements with regional and world
trade centers and councils;
•
Research for and development of specialized
teaching materials, including language materials;
•
Establishment of student and faculty fellowships and
internships;
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
BIE: Authorized Activities (continued)
•
Development of opportunities for junior business and
other professional school faculty to acquire or
strengthen international skills and perspectives;
•
Development of research programs on issues of
common interest to institutions
•
The establishment of linkages with overseas
institutions;
•
Summer institutes in international business
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
Examples of Eligible Activities
• Improve business and international education curriculum
• Develop area studies programs and other interdisciplinary
international programs
• Establish export education programs for business
• Develop specialized teaching materials
• Create opportunities for business and faculty to strengthen
international skills
• Establish internships overseas to develop foreign language
skills and experience foreign cultures
• Establish linkages with overseas institutions
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
Partnerships
• Teaching and Research
– With faculty within department
– With other departments on campus (i.e., language
dept.)
– With colleagues at other universities
• Outreach with business community
– Conferences
– Executive-in-Residence
• Outreach with academic community
– Visiting Scholars
– Overseas linkages
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
Suggestions for Institutional
Internationalization
• Set specific goals
• Plan around those goals
• Follow guidelines explicitly
• Obtain strong administrative support
• Document institutional support
• Measure interests of faculty and students
• Establish working dialogue with program officers -take advice
• Volunteer to serve as a reader of other grants
• Network among international educators
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
Suggestions for Institutional
Internationalization contd.
• Obtain support of community leaders
• Recognize the significant time commitment needed
• Obtain release time for writer
• Develop a team of colleagues -- delegate
• Elaborate proposal under clear schedule/pert chart
• Read past applications
• Prepare meaningful evaluation plan
• Select outside expert as evaluator
• Use proposed evaluator in preparation
• Build on failures
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
BIE: “Proposal” Development Timetable
March/April
• Conduct analysis of capabilities as well as ‘needs
assessment’
• Develop a team of committed faculty & administrators
to contribute
• Plan specific activities for each area
– Academic/Curriculum
– Faculty Development
– Outreach/Business community
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
BIE: “Proposal” Development Timetable contd.
May
•
•
Start drafting the proposal
Start by developing exhibits/tables
June/July
•
Secure “Letter of Agreement” from key outreach partner
•
Get letters of commitment from administrators, faculty,
outside evaluator
August/September
•
Have proposal draft reviewed by others and external
evaluator
•
Refine proposal budget
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
BIE: “Proposal” Development Timetable contd.
October
–
Continue review and refinement
–
Finalize proposal
–
Obtain required signatures
November
–
Electronic submission of the proposal
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
Grantsmanship
1. Be sure to consult with the program officer at USDOE
2. Review abstracts of funded projects in Washington, D.C.
3. Address each component of the legislation
4. Propose realistic activities and costs
5. Develop key objectives or thrusts; limit your proposal to
3-5 major initiatives
6. Designate a management team with international and
grants experience
7. Prepare a specific and detailed budget: demonstrate cost
effectiveness
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
Grantsmanship contd.
8. Provide summative and formative evaluation plans of
grant activities
9. Address issues of institutional commitment and
sustainability
10. Format the proposal so that it is easy to read
11. Maximize the use of exhibits (tables, charts).
12. Be positive and passionate!
13. If not funded, request the reviewers’ comments and
RE-APPLY!
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
BIE: “Proposal” Panel Review
•
Reviewers are all international business professors
•
A community college professor sits on each panel
•
Each reviewer reads 15-20 applications.
•
Three reviewers per panel— panel members discuss
each application with the program officer
•
The reviewers follow the guidelines in the application
packet
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
BASIC GENERAL BUDGET*
(*This budget does not include details of the matching costs which you must include on the budget you submit.)
REQUEST FROM
FEDERAL AGENCY:
YEAR ONE
INSTITUTIONAL
SHARE-YEAR
ONE
PERSONNEL:
Dr. Smith (10% of $50,000)
$5,000
$10,000
Technical Assistant: 150 hrs x $25
$3,750
$20,000
Admin. Asst.: 75% of $26,000
$19,500
$10,000
Subtotal Personnel:
$28,250
$40,000
$1,600 + $6,240 =
$7,840
$0
$4,000 +$4,000=
$8,000
$2,000
EQUIPMENT
Justify in writing
$20,000
SUPPLIES: Office Supplies: $500; Software:
$6,500: (provide details)
$7,000
$5,000
OTHER: Duplication, .10 x 3,000 = $300;
workshop exp. = $8700; subscription to NTBO =
$1000
$10,000
$0
Subtotal Direct Costs
$61,090
$67,000
INDIRECT COSTS (8%)
$4,887
$5,360 (Restricted
FRINGE BENEFITS: 32% of $5,000;
$19,500
32% of
TRAVEL: Domestic: mileage, air fares, per diem
for 4 people to attend FDIBs x $1000/person =
$4,000; Foreign: PD mtg. Vienna, $4,000/two
persons, airfare: $1000; registration:
$450/person, meals, other = $1,100
REQUEST FROM
FEDERAL AGENCYYEAR TWO
INSTITUTIONAL
SHARE-YEAR
TWO
CONTRACTUAL
CONSTRUCTION
to 8%)
TRAINING COSTS/STIPENDS
TOTAL
$65,977
$72,360
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TECHNICAL REVIEW: BIE Proposal
Part I- CRITERIA PROFILE
MAXIMUM
POINTS
1. Extent of Need for the Project
20
2. Plan of Operation
30
3. Quality of Key Personnel
1O
4. Budget & Cost Effectiveness
15
5. Evaluation Plan
15
6. Adequacy of Resources
10
TOTAL POINTS
100
POINTS
ASSIGNED
TECHNICAL REVIEW: BIE Proposal
1. EXTENT OF NEED FOR THE PROJECT
(Maximum 20 points)
a. How well does this project meet the needs outlined in 611 of the statute?
b. Are the needs clearly defined? How did the applicant identify those needs?
c. Does the applicant propose to meet those needs by improving the institution’s international
academic program and by developing appropriate linkages with the business community?
d. How appropriate are the results of the proposed project in meeting the purpose of Title VI, part B?
NOT
ADDRESSED
0 Points
INADEQUATE
1-6 Points
ADEQUATE
7-13 Points
GOOD TO
EXCELLENT
14-20 Points
POINTS
AWARDED _______
Please provide a justification for the points awarded based on STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES:
TECHNICAL REVIEW: BIE Proposal
2. PLAN OF OPERATION
(Maximum 30 points)
a. To what extent do the objectives of the project, and the anticipated results, relate to the purpose of
Title VI, part B?
b. How effective is the plan of management? To what extent will it ensure proper and effective
administration of the project, and result in achieving the project’s objectives?
c. How effective and appropriate are the provisions of the “Agreement”?
d. Does the applicant plan to use its resources and personnel, and the resources and the
contributions provided for under the “Agreement,” in an effective way to achieve programmatic
goals?
e. Are the proposed linkages with the business community, including those provided for in the
“Agreement,” designed to accomplish the objectives of Title VI, part B?
f. To what extent will the applicant provide equal access treatment for members of racial and ethnic
minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly?
NOT
ADDRESSED
0 Points
INADEQUATE
1-10 Points
ADEQUATE
11-20 Points
GOOD TO
EXCELLENT
21-30 Points
POINTS
AWARDED _______
Please provide a justification for the points awarded based on STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES:
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TECHNICAL REVIEW: BIE Proposal
3. QUALITY OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN
(Maximum 10 points)
a. Are the experiences and qualifications of the project director adequate?
b. Are the experience and qualifications of other personnel and teaching staff adequate?
c. Is the amount of time that each of the key persons, referred to in (a) and (b), and the plans to
commit to the project adequate?
d. To what extent does the applicant, as part of its non-discriminatory employment practices,
encourage applications for employment from members or groups (e.g., members of racial and
ethnic minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly), that have been traditionally
under-represented?
NOT
ADDRESSED
0 Points
INADEQUATE 1-3
Points
ADEQUATE
6 Points
4-
GOOD TO
EXCELLENT
7-10 Points
POINTS
AWARDED _______
Please provide a justification for the points awarded based on STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES:
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TECHNICAL REVIEW: BIE Proposal
4. BUDGET AND COST EFFECTIVENESS
(Maximum 15 points)
a. Is the budget adequate to support the project?
b. Are the costs reasonable in relation to the objectives of the project?
NOT
ADDRESSED
0 Points
INADEQUATE
1-5 Points
ADEQUATE
6-10 Points
GOOD TO
EXCELLENT
11-15 Points
POINTS
AWARDED _______
Please provide a justification for the points awarded based on STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES:
5. PLAN OF EVALUATION
a.
b.
c.
d.
(Maximum 15 points)
How appropriate and adequate are the provisions for evaluating the effectiveness of the project?
Are the criteria adequate to evaluate the results of the project?
Will the evaluation be objective, and will it produce data that is quantifiable?
Is the methodology adequate to determine if the needs for which the project is designed met?
NOT
ADDRESED
0 Points
INADEQUATE
1-5 Points
ADEQUATE
6-10 Points
GOOD TO
EXCELLENT
11-15 Points
POINTS
AWARDED _______
Please provide a justification for the points awarded based on STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES:
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TECHNICAL REVIEW: BIE Proposal
6. ADEQUACY OF RESOURCES
(Maximum 10 points)
a. Do the applicant and the parties to the “Agreement” plan to devote adequate resources to the
project as evidenced by the type of facilities, equipment, supplies, and other resources described in
the application?
b. Are the sources and kinds of matching resources, which provide the 50 percent of the non-Federal
share of the project costs, adequate and appropriate?
NOT
ADDRESSED
0 Points
INADEQUATE
3 Points
1-
ADEQUATE
4-6 Points
GOOD TO
EXCELLENT
7-10 Points
POINTS
AWARDED _______
Please provide a justification for the points awarded based on STRENGTHS and WEAKNESSES:
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TIPS!
• Start early – TODAY!
• Contact federal funding agency and become familiar
with agency staff
–
visit the program officer
–
read funded proposals
–
see if agency will review your drafts
• Ask about the evaluation process
–
is it peer review or by federal officials?
–
is there a pre-application process?
• Seek out support internally and externally for your
proposal
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
More TIPS!
• Look at return on investment
• Be as specific as possible
• Avoid generalities
• Site examples
• Name clients
–
all faculty who will work on grant
–
who will replace the project director if that person
leaves during the project
• Keep it simple
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
Tricks
• Read funded proposals from similar
institutions
• Keep in touch with organizations who know
what is in the pipeline
• Write an international focus into your mission
statement at your institution
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
More Tricks
• Use a sense of urgency when recruiting
partnerships
–
Seek a partner and draft a letter of agreement
–
Have the agreement signed by both partners
–
Be sure the agreement encompasses both
components of the IB program
• international business curriculum development
• outreach
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
Traps
• Insufficient commitment and follow-through
problems
• Resource limitations
• Inertia -- faculty resistance to change
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
Contact Person: BIE Grant
Name: Susanna C. Easton
E-mail Address: susanna.easton@ed.gov
Mailing Address:
U.S. Department of Education, OPE
International and Foreign Language Education
Business and International Education Program
1990 K Street, N.W., 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20006-8521
Telephone: (202) 502-7628
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/iegps/index.html
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
BIE Grant
Application
Booklet:
Only
Available
Online
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Web Resources
• http://www.grants.gov
Grants.gov is the web submission system APPLY for
most federal government grants.
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
• BIE webportal: http://bieweb.msu.edu/
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
• http://www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpsbie
U.S. Dept. of Education’s International Education
Programs website
Irem Kiyak, Michigan State University
Good Luck with
Your Grant Initiatives!
Questions?