ACE/Wal-Mart Success for Veterans Award Grants The Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act will open the door to higher education for our nation s veterans. The values that form the foundation of American institutions of higher education demand that we serve those who have so bravely served our nation. Application Deadline: March 2, 2009
ACE/WAL-MART SUCCESS FOR VETERANS AWARD GRANTS Throughout history, the return home of men and women from brave service in the U.S. military has profoundly affected American society. The passage of the original GI Bill in 1944 presented higher education with a remarkable opportunity to participate in the reintegration of military veterans. As a result, the years that followed witnessed an emergence of a middle class committed to civic engagement. Today, as America faces new challenges, higher education is again presented with the extraordinary opportunity offered by the return of nearly 2 million veterans and the passage of the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act (also known as the new GI Bill ). However, passage of this most comprehensive education benefit since World War II addresses only the affordability of a college education. To fully address the challenging transition from the military to higher education, colleges and universities must act responsively to serve the veterans who enroll at their institutions. To be sure, colleges and universities representing all sectors of higher education have developed wideranging and innovative approaches to increasing access and success for student veterans. The rapidly approaching implementation of the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Act, however, means that even more must be done to develop comprehensive programs and services for student veterans. As part of the American Council on Education s Serving Those Who Serve initiative, ACE is pleased to partner with the Wal-Mart Foundation to announce the ACE/Wal-Mart Success for Veterans Award Grants. The ACE/Wal-Mart Success for Veterans Award Grants will recognize 20 higher education institutions for demonstrated leadership in developing programs to increase access to and success in postsecondary education for veterans and their families. Each recipient will be presented with a $100,000 award grant to support the further development of these programs and services, and to participate in the dissemination of lessons learned and best practices. Preference will be given to proposals to support established, comprehensive programs. Examples include, but are not limited to (in no particular order): Programs, services, and policies that provide seamless transitions that support students before, during, and after deployment. College assimilation programs. Student veteran orientation programs. Community-based collaborations. Peer support and peer mentoring programs. Integration of veterans into strategic enrollment management plans. Intervention and treatment of combat-related stress and anxiety disorders. Communication strategies designed to provide timely and relevant college planning information to prospective student veterans and their families. One-stop resource centers, dedicated support teams, work-study placement, and employment support. 1
SELECTION PROCESS The ACE/Wal-Mart Success for Veterans Award Grant program is a competitive grant application and review process. Each grant application should stand on its own merit. Only the awarded grant applications shall be considered public information. Working papers, as well as individual reviewer s comments, notes, and scoring will not become public information. All proposals submitted by the published deadline will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Approved applications will be submitted to an advisory committee for the selection of semi-finalists. Semi-finalists will be submitted to an expert panel of judges for selection of the finalists. In the event that fewer than 20 applications are found to meet the purpose of the grant offering and to address all of the stated goals, ACE will announce and hold a second solicitation for applications. Eligibility ACE seeks applications from accredited, degree-granting higher education institutions, as well as consortiums and systems of the same. As specified in the grant agreement guidelines delineated by the Wal-Mart Foundation, applications will be accepted only from institutions with 501(c)3 IRS status. Preference will be given to institutions with established programs designed for veterans and/or their families, with an emphasis on increasing access to and success in postsecondary education. Applications will not be accepted for funding to support activities completed prior to submission of the application. Application Deadline All proposals must be submitted via electronic mail in a single PDF file to STWS@ace.nche.edu no later than noon, Eastern Standard Time, March 2, 2009. Selection Criteria and Weight Program Design: Project goals/objectives are clearly explicated and directly tied to increasing access to and success in postsecondary programs for military veterans and their families; assessment of current program and unmet needs; creative and innovative approaches to the unique needs of student veterans; strong evidence of institutional and CEO support; and clear identification and defined role of campus and community partners (as appropriate). (40%) Dissemination Strategy: Proposal demonstrates systematic process for disseminating program outcomes and findings to all sectors of higher education; plans for providing technical assistance to other colleges and universities; development of publications, toolkits, and informational material; and development of conference presentations, etc. (20%) Program Evaluation: Proposed program evaluation employs quantitative and qualitative research methods to assess intended outcomes; and usability of evaluation results to inform practice and shape policy decisions. (20%) Program Sustainability: Proposal demonstrates a strong potential for sustaining the project beyond the two-year grant period. (20%) 2
Instructions for Completing Application Please be sure to read the formatting requirements below and grantee obligations on page 5 before submitting the grant application. Each proposal should include the following documents: Cover page, to include statement of eligibility and executive summary. Proposal narrative. Budget narrative. Budget worksheet. Biographical sketches of key personnel. Letter of support signed by the institution s president or CEO, signifying strong institutional commitment and priority. Letter of support from student veteran (encouraged, but not required). Letters of support from program partners named in grant application (encouraged, but not required). Formatting All proposal narratives shall be no more than 10 double-spaced pages, excluding cover page, executive summary, budget narrative, budget worksheet, biographical sketches, and letters of support. All files must be submitted via electronic mail in a single PDF file to STWS@ace.nche.edu. Faxed or mailed applications will not be considered. ACE will acknowledge receipt of all applications via electronic mail. Applications received after noon, Eastern Standard Time, March 2, 2009, will not be considered. Please complete all information requested. Proposals that are incomplete or do not satisfy all the requirements will be disqualified. Each proposal must be in the following format with numbered pages: I. Cover Page and Executive Summary Identify the lead agency for administering the plan and include a statement of eligibility and an executive summary of 250 words or fewer for the proposed project. II. Project Purpose Assess the needs of the current program. Clearly state the specific issue, problem, interest, or need to be addressed. Explain why your project is important and timely. III. Goals Describe the overall goal(s) for the project. IV. Expected Measurable Outcomes Describe discrete, quantifiable, and measurable outcomes that directly and meaningfully support the project's purpose. The outcome measures should address the direct impact on intended beneficiaries and/or the public. Outcome measures should also incorporate initial program evaluations. V. Work Plan Explain briefly how each goal and measurable outcome will be accomplished for the project. Be clear about who will do the work. Include appropriate timelines. (Expected measurable outcomes may exceed the grant period. If so, provide a timeframe when long-term outcome measurements will be achieved.) 3
VI. Potential Impact Discuss the impact of the project on the capacity of the participating institution(s) and on other sectors of higher education to serve military veterans. In order to promulgate the most effective practices and inspire other colleges and universities to pursue similar efforts, describe anticipated means of dissemination of programs/models, lessons learned, and general information about the project. VII. Project Sustainability Describe methods for anticipated sustainability of program or initiative beyond the capacity of the award grant. ATTACHMENTS The following attachments shall be submitted as part of the PDF file but will not be counted toward the 10-page maximum. VIII. Budget Narrative Briefly explain each line item presented in the budget worksheet. Budget narrative should not exceed one page. IX. Budget Worksheet Attach an Excel budget sheet, not to exceed one worksheet. The proposed budget should reflect the nature of the project and may include additional or omitted line items from among the following guidelines. (Note that grant funding may not be used for general operating expenses or capital expenditures. Staff salaries should reflect the proportion of an individual s time that will be spent administering the program.) Personnel salaries/wages/benefits Include current salaries and benefits for personnel whose time will be dedicated to the project. If these costs are being covered through in-kind contributions or as indirect expenses that would otherwise be covered by your organization, indicate as appropriate. Equipment Equipment is defined as nonexpendable, tangible property that exceeds a cost of $1,000. Marketing/communication This line item may include costs associated with promotion or support of project-related events, such as graphic design services, web site development and maintenance, and production and distribution of materials. Supplies General office supplies should not be included here, as they are likely to fall under indirect costs. However, certain types of supplies may be needed, based on a project s scope and objectives. Printing and duplication costs may be included only if these expenses can be directly attributed to the proposed project. Travel If travel is essential to the proposed project, include estimates and calculations for all related costs (e.g., airfare, ground transportation, per diem, conference registration fees, lodging, mileage for personal vehicle usage, etc.). Include estimated costs for 2011 ACE Annual Meeting attendance (see Grantee Obligations). 4
Miscellaneous expenses Applicants should limit the number of items that fall into this category. Indirect costs Include indirect, overhead, and general and administrative (G&A) costs, limited to 10 percent of total direct costs. X. Biographical Sketches Provide a résumé or biographical sketch of each person who has primary responsibility for developing and implementing the proposed project. Information should clarify the individual s project responsibilities and highlight his or her qualifications. XI. Letters of Support Attach a letter of support signed by the institution s president or CEO. Attach any other letters providing evidence of support for the project. GRANTEE OBLIGATIONS Grantees will be given the opportunity to showcase their institution s veterans programs and/or services at the 2011 ACE Annual Meeting (March 5 8, 2011, in Washington, DC). The Annual Meeting attracts a wide audience of senior leaders and CEOs from all sectors of higher education, including college and university presidents, chief academic officers, chief diversity officers, federal relations officers, deans, directors, and other crucial campus decision makers. Substantial focus at the 2011 Annual Meeting will be on the innovative veterans programs and services established over the two-year grant period by the ACE/Wal-Mart Success for Veterans grantees. All grantees will be expected to attend the 2011 ACE Annual Meeting at their own expense, as part of an effort to showcase competencies and share information regarding the implementation of effective policies and programs. Note, however, that award grant funds may be used toward the cost of attendance, to include transportation, lodging, registration fees, and per diem. The projected cost of attendance should be cited in the budget narrative and denoted under the travel line in the budget worksheet. Reporting Requirements Reporting requirements are project specific and based on the duration of the grant period. Requirements include: Initial program report submitted by July 1, 2009. Semi-annual project and financial reports submitted by: o December 31, 2009. o June 30, 2010. o December 31, 2010. Final project report and final financial report submitted by June 30, 2011. Immediate report of any potential problems that will prevent timely completion of the project. Failure to fulfill these reporting requirements may be cause for withdrawal of funding. 5
Audit and Reports Financial records, statistical records, supporting documents, and other records pertinent to this award shall be retained for a period of three years from submission of the final project report. Records that relate to audits, appeals, litigation, or settlement of claims arising out of the performance of the project shall be retained until such audits, appeals, litigation, or claims have been disposed of, but not earlier than three years from submission of the final project report. Duly authorized representatives of ACE shall have access to any pertinent documents, books, papers, and records of the recipient organization to make audits, examinations, excerpts, and transcripts for up to 12 months after the grant period. Site Visits The ACE Project Director and authorized representatives have the right to make site visits to review project accomplishments and evaluate management control systems. Notification of site visits will be provided at least 30 days in advance. Changes in Key Personnel or Partners If any key personnel identified in the original grant application leave the recipient s institution or otherwise relinquish control of the project, ACE must be notified immediately. ACE reserves the right to review and approve replacement personnel credentials. Acknowledgement of Support An acknowledgement of the ACE/Wal-Mart Success for Veterans Award Grant must appear in any publication or at any significant event based on this project. Attribution should include the following copy: This project is supported in part by the American Council on Education through a grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation. Payment of Grant Funds Upon final approval, grantees must sign a Notice of Grant Award Agreement, stating that funds shall be used as described in the application. Funds in the full amount of $100,000 will be disbursed within 20 days after receipt of the signed agreement. Inquiries regarding the application process should be addressed to: Elizabeth O Herrin Project Director American Council on Education STWS@ace.nche.edu 6
AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION ACE/WAL-MART SUCCESS FOR VETERANS AWARD GRANTS Application Form Institution Name: Mailing Address: City: State: Zip Code: Primary Point of Contact First Name: Last Name: Title: Department: Phone: Fax: Email: Secondary Point of Contact First Name: Last Name: Title: Department: Phone: Fax: Email: Institutional Information Campus Location(s): Geographic Area Served: Please submit this Application Form as part of your single PDF file proposal to: STWS@ace.nche.edu