Questions and Answers are displayed in the order in which they are received.

Q: For Priority Area 2, can you please clarify which focus area (A: developmental or B: expansion/extension) is appropriate for programs that received mini-grants in the 2021 cycle?

A: IHEs who received mini-grants could be eligible for either Focus Area A or B, depending on whether they developed full models during the past two years or if they focused on some of the components of their model during the past two years. If an IHE developed some components, they should apply for Focus Area A (development). If an IHE developed all of the components of their model, they should apply for Focus Area B (expansion).

Q: Can you please clarify the required PI effort of no less than .25 FTE (one to two course releases per year)? I can fund two course releases annually from the budget for less than 25% effort. Is the course-load reduction the requirement, or is 25% effort (3.0 calendar) the requirement?

A: The course load reduction is the important component of this requirement. The PI needs to have sufficient time to engage in the work of their grant. If an IHE can provide course reduction(s) for less than 25% FTE, please describe this in the budget justification.

Q: For the letter, do we just need one letter from one partner district? or letters from the district superintendent/CEO, teacher union/association president, and board of education president?

A: Under Priority 2, the district letter of support must reflect the support of the district superintendent/CEO, teacher union/association president, and board of education president. One letter signed by all required parties, or separate letters from each required party, are acceptable.

Q: For third party evaluation, we know that we need to have 10-12% of budget. But we need more information about "an external evaluation to be conducted by an independent third party, and a signed assurance indicating that the applicant IHE will participate in Compact “centralized” evaluation activities.” We need to find the consultant? or Ohio Deans Compact will provide the consultant?

A: Applicant IHEs are responsible for identifying the external evaluator and have discretion in determining with whom they will work. The RFA does not specific the amount of funding that should be used to cover evaluator expenses, 10-12% of the award amount was provided as a guideline in response to a question asked during the bidders conference.

Q: We are seeking some guidance on the following requirements for Priority 2. On p14 of the RFA, item F, it references a "letter of commitment from a minimum of one partner school district that meets the requirements described under the Purpose of the Program section of this RFA. The district letter of support must reflect the support of the superintendent/CEO, teacher union/association president, and board of education president."

If we are securing signed MOUs from each partner school/school district to meet the requirements of item G (also p14 of the RFA), can the MOU also serve as the letter of commitment? (The MOUs are signed by the superintendent/CEO, teacher union/association president, and board of ed president.)

If we need a separate letter of commitment, can it secure a letter from just one partner school district - or does it need a letter from each school district?

A: Under Priority 2, a written agreement between the applicant IHE, partner school districts, and other involved partners is required. A letter of support from at least one partner district is also required; both the letter and the agreement are needed and both should reflect the support of the district superintendent/CEO, teacher union/association president, and board of education president. While including both the letters and agreement may seem redundant, including a letter from each partner district that reflects that partner’s support of the effort would strengthen the proposal.

Q: Is our understanding correct that one HEI can submit two different proposals, one for each Priority? Said another way, if one institution has the strongest proposals for both priorities, is it likely that one university would receive grant funding for both proposals? We just want to be respectful of everyone’s time, and respect the intent of the grant review/awarding process.

A: Applicant IHEs may respond to one or both of the priority areas; however, only one application per priority area per applicant IHE will be considered for funding. If more than one application in a priority area is received by an applicant IHE, only the first one received will be reviewed. Panel reviewers will review each proposal submitted on its own merits irrespective of the number of proposals submitted by any one IHE.

Q: We have a plan for Priority 2 - model development for Demonstration Models to Recruit, Support, Retain, & Sustain Educators from Racially, Culturally, and Ethnically Minoritized Groups through IHE-District Partnerships. We were hoping to do intense planning with our partners in year 1. We forsee that it could be possible to start some of activities late in year 1 (Spring semester) but we imagine that some will take all year to plan with our partners. How soon do we have to implement the activities? Would year 2 be ok?

A: Priority 2A requires the applicant IHE to develop and implement activities related to the recruitment, retention, support, and sustained engagement of educators from racially, culturally, and ethnically minoritized groups. Panel reviewers will rate applications received in terms of the degree to which they meet the intent and requirements of the priority. It is unlikely that a proposal focused mostly on a full year of planning would meet the intent and requirements of the priority.

 Q: I know the narrative needs to be double- spaced. Can the abstract be single-spaced? Or should it also be double-spaced?

A: The abstract can be single spaced.

Q: We are applying Priority 2B and understand applicant IHEs are responsible for identifying the external evaluator. What is the role of the consultant for 10% of the budget?

A: The role of the evaluator is to provide formative and summative feedback to inform the work of your incentive grant. Each applicant IHE defines the specific responsibilities of their evaluator.