Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 AmeriCorps State and National Native Nation Planning Grants | AC 08 20 23

FY 2024 AmeriCorps State and National Native Nation Planning Grants (CFDA 94.006) - FAQs

1) What is the FY 2024 AmeriCorps State and National Native Nation Planning Grants opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by AmeriCorps (CFDA 94.006) to support Tribal Nations and Tribal organizations in the early-stage planning and development of a future AmeriCorps program.

2) What is the main purpose of these grants?

The core purpose is planning. The funding is intended to help recipients design a program that could be launched in a later grant cycle to place AmeriCorps members in communities to deliver evidence-based interventions addressing locally identified problems.

3) Are these planning grants or operating grants?

They are planning grants only. The funds are meant to build the foundation for a potential future AmeriCorps program rather than to operate an AmeriCorps program immediately.

4) Can planning grant funds be used to support AmeriCorps members or member slots?

No. A key restriction is that planning grant funds may not be used to support AmeriCorps members. No member slots can be funded under this award.

5) What kinds of activities can a planning grant support?

Typical planning activities include assessing community needs, selecting and adapting evidence-based strategies, developing partnerships and service delivery models, designing member roles and supervision structures, building performance measurement and evaluation approaches, and preparing to submit a full program application in the next grant cycle if the model is a good fit.

6) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to (1) Native American tribal governments that are federally recognized and (2) Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments).

7) Is the opportunity limited to a specific program focus area?

The opportunity is broad and aligns with AmeriCorps State and National programming across multiple categories, as long as the resulting program concept would be suitable for AmeriCorps member service and grounded in evidence-based interventions.

8) What are examples of focus areas that may fit this planning opportunity?

The notice references areas such as community development, disaster prevention and relief, education, employment/labor/training, environment, food and nutrition, health, housing, and other community priorities, provided the planned concept is appropriate for AmeriCorps member service and uses evidence-based interventions.

9) What does AmeriCorps mean by evidence-based interventions in this context?

The opportunity emphasizes designing future programs around evidence-based interventions. In practical terms, this means the planned program model should be grounded in strategies with supporting evidence, and the planning work should include selecting and adapting those strategies to address locally identified needs.

10) What is the maximum award amount?

Awards are available up to an award ceiling of $240,000.

11) How long is the planning period?

The planning period is 12 months, and the project period cannot exceed one year.

12) Can an applicant choose the project start date?

Yes. The applicant proposes a start date, but the start date cannot be earlier than the date AmeriCorps makes the award.

13) What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is a grant.

14) What does it mean that the grant is cost reimbursement?

Applicants must apply under a cost reimbursement structure. This generally means the recipient incurs allowable costs and then requests repayment in line with AmeriCorps requirements.

15) What is the broader context AmeriCorps highlights for this competition?

AmeriCorps frames this competition within its Nation-to-Nation relationship with Tribal Nations and its commitment to the federal Tribal trust responsibility.

16) What is the opportunity listing or identifier?

The funding opportunity is listed as AC 08 20 23.

17) When was this opportunity created?

The notice indicates it was created on August 18, 2023.

18) What was the original closing date?

The original closing date shown in the notice is April 5, 2024.

19) Were any documents amended for this competition?

Yes. The notice indicates that both the main Notice and the Mandatory Supplemental Information were amended.

20) Which documents should applicants rely on when preparing an application?

Applicants are directed to use the updated documents posted on the competition website. The amended guidance should be used for requirements, allowable activities, and submission instructions.

21) Does receiving this planning grant mean a full AmeriCorps program will be funded later?

The information provided describes support for early-stage development and preparing to submit a full program application in the next grant cycle if the model is a good fit, but it does not state that future program funding is guaranteed.

22) What is the intended outcome of the planning work?

The intended outcome is a well-designed, evidence-based AmeriCorps program concept that can be proposed in a later cycle to place AmeriCorps members in communities to address locally identified problems.