Budget
Can the funds be used for personnel costs for a new, pilot position to support study abroad?
Yes. Sustainability is key for costs like this.
Is it possible to have more than one foreign policy objective in our applications?
Yes. Applicants are required to at least 1 FPG, though more than one can be included in the proposal. Substantive involvement!
Why can't the IDEAS grant include student scholarship costs?
Sustainability. Capacity Building for the institution.
Can a consortium consist of 2 or more colleges within the same university?
Likely no
Can past grantees apply for another IDEAS grant?
Yes, though award preference may go to new grantees and alumni should diversify their proposals. Grant funding is not intended to continually fund the same program.
Can the budget be multi-year?
Yes. 18 month grant period, so funds may span that entire period, though they aren't required to
Do the proposals (phase 1 and 2) need to be authored mainly by tenured professors? OR can other untenured professors and staff author the proposals?
Proposals can be authored by professors, study abroad staff, or any other institutional staff.
Can you give an example of resources that may be developed as part of the grant?
PDO materials, risk management materials, faculty trainings, etc.
Are there limits on how much a proposal could request to pay for a study abroad provider/planning entity (as program costs)?
There are no limits on costs budgeted for a study abroad provider or planning entity. Costs should seem reasonable, be justifiable, and still suggest U.S. institution capacity building.
The application seems short and I can't fit all I want to say within the word limit, especially for citations. Tips?
Use abbreviations, links, and bullet points
Are applications budgets that include cost-share more competitive?
Not necessarily. Cost share is appreciated but not required.
Given the 750 word total for phase I, does the budget explanation count towards that limit?
Yes, the total word count includes the budget explanation at a max of 150 words
Could the grant be used to developing website and technology, or payment for Terra Dotta system?
for website and tech, yes, as those are one-time start up costs that can then be maintained for lower cost. For TD, that will be an ongoing cost so you will want to have a clear sustainability plan in place for once the grant ends.
Can a four-year institution be a part of a consortium applying for a 2024 IDEAS consortium grant?
Yes, but at least one institution in the consortium must be a 2-year school
What is the grant timeline if awarded?
September 2024-February 2026
Is there a budget template?
No. Applicants are encouraged to use their institutional template if they'd wish. Otherwise, use the categories listed in the RFP to design your budget knowing that you are not required to budget funds in each category.
Are Cuba and Guam allowable destinations for a proposal focused on in-person program development?
Cuba -yes; Guam - no
Is it a good idea to link an in-person component with a virtual component?
Not necessarily. Virtual study abroad can stand on its own in an IDEAS proposal. But, combining virtual and in-person can be a very effective method to improve diversity and access.
Can consortium grant application include a focus on other student demographics?
Consortium grant activities under this initiative may engage and benefit all students, but applications should detail how their proposed projects will be inclusive of and engage students specifically in STEM, vocational, and/or technical fields at U.S. community colleges, as well as community college faculty and staff.
How might an applicant address institutional support or buy-in in a proposal?
you could mention the office(s) you are collaborating with, and/or individuals that are supporting your initiatives
What is a Indirect Cost Rate and how do I factor it into my grant budget?
An IDC rate various by institution, but is generally a standard rate that represents the expenses of doing business that are not readily identified with a particular grant, contract, project function or activity, but are necessary for the general operation of the organization and the conduct of activities it performs. Grantees should consult with their OSP or other similar office about this rate. In some cases it may be waived. If an institution doesn't have an IDC rate, they may use the 10% diminimus rate.
For using funds to support a faculty member leading an initial implementation, does the first program implementation need to take place before the end of the grant timeline?
Yes. All grant-funded activities must take place within the grant period. This means, for example, if your grant is funding faculty travel on a student program, that travel must take place during the grant period.
Can projects support foreign faculty capacity building with a goal to create transferrable courses between U.S. and foreign institutions?
Yes. Emphasize sustainability and justify costs.
Are IDEAS consortium grant applicants eligible for a $35,000 grant if they are not selected to receive a $50,000 grant?
Yes, the IDEAS Program will consider strong applications for the IDEAS consortium grant to receive a $35,000 grant, pending available funding. Consortium grant applicants who are selected to receive a $35,000 grant will be expected to revise their budget and/or activities.
Can travel reservations for faculty travel be made before the grant performance period if the payment for such reservations occurs during the grant performance period?
Ideally no. All grant-funded activities need to take place within the grant period otherwise they may not be eligible for payment.