2010 Opportunity to Register and Other Important Information for Electronic Application Submission for the Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) Is this posting a traditional grant announcement with an application package?

No. The 2010 HUD posting (Funding Opportunity Number FR 5396 N 02) is not a traditional grant competition announcement and does not include an application package. It is an early procedural notice connected to HUD's Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program and is meant to prepare potential applicants for what will be required once the actual NOFA is released.

2) What is the main purpose of this notice?

The notice is primarily a timing and process warning. It alerts organizations that submitting an application later (after the NOFA is published) will require completing several electronic registration steps that can take multiple weeks, and it highlights that specific electronic submission procedures will apply once the NOFA is released.

3) Why is HUD issuing this notice before the NOFA is released?

HUD uses the notice for two practical reasons: (1) to emphasize that required electronic registrations are not instant and can take multiple weeks, and (2) to request voluntary, non-binding notifications of intent to apply so HUD can estimate application volume and plan staffing for reviews and timely award decisions.

4) Does this notice mean the NOFA is already available?

No. This posting is tied to a later competitive NOFA for the Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program. The posting itself is informational and procedural rather than the NOFA.

5) What happens if an organization waits to start the required electronic registrations?

The notice warns that organizations that wait to begin required registrations risk missing the application window after the NOFA is published, because those registrations can take multiple weeks to complete.

6) Are applicants required to notify HUD of their intent to apply?

No. The intent-to-apply notice is voluntary and non-binding. HUD states it is not a requirement and does not affect eligibility or the ability to submit an application later.

7) If we do not notify HUD early, can we still apply later?

Yes. HUD indicates that applicants who do not provide the early notification may still apply, as long as they are eligible under the eventual NOFA. The notification is only intended to help HUD plan reviewer capacity and evaluation staffing.

8) How do we provide the optional notice of intent to apply?

An organization is instructed to call the HUD NOFA Information Center as soon as possible to provide the non-binding intent-to-apply notice.

9) What information will HUD collect if we call to express intent to apply?

HUD indicates the Information Center will collect basic contact details, including the organization's name and address, a point of contact, and that person's email address and telephone number (with area code).

10) Does providing an intent-to-apply notice improve our chances of receiving funding?

The notice states the intent-to-apply notification does not affect eligibility or the ability to submit an application. It is described as a workload planning tool for HUD, not an evaluation or selection factor.

11) What program is this notice associated with?

This notice is connected to HUD's Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program and is part of the broader rollout leading up to a later competitive NOFA.

12) Did HUD publish anything earlier about this program?

Yes. HUD references an earlier Advance Notice published on February 10, 2010 (75 FR 6689). That Advance Notice announced HUD's intent to offer funding later through a competitive NOFA and requested public input on program design.

13) What was the purpose of the February 10, 2010 Advance Notice (75 FR 6689)?

According to the posting, the Advance Notice sought feedback from state and local governments, regional bodies, community development entities, and other stakeholders on how to structure the program to maximize impact on regional planning for sustainable development.

14) Who is the sponsoring agency for this opportunity?

The sponsoring agency listed is the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

15) What funding instrument type is listed?

The listing identifies the funding instrument type as a grant.

16) What activity category does the listing reference?

The activity category is listed as community development, with housing also referenced in the listing.

17) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The entry indicates that no cost sharing or matching is required.

18) What are the posted dates for this notice?

The notice was posted and created on April 8, 2010. It lists a closing date of May 14, 2010, and it was archived on May 15, 2010.

19) What does the eligibility section say?

Eligibility is described broadly as "others," with clarification to be provided in the full eligibility text. The posting reflects that this is an informational notice tied to a later NOFA rather than being the NOFA itself.

20) Where can we look for related materials or announcements?

HUD points applicants to the Grants.gov search page for the Department of Housing and Urban Development for related materials.

21) What if we cannot access the full announcement electronically?

The posting directs anyone who cannot access the full announcement electronically to contact the HUD NOFA Information Center for assistance and instructions related to the notice.

22) What submission method will be required once the NOFA is released?

The notice indicates that applicants will need to follow specific electronic submission procedures once the actual NOFA is released. It does not provide the full submission procedures itself, only that electronic processes and registrations will be required.

23) Does this posting include the full eligibility requirements and program rules?

No. Because this is not the NOFA, it does not provide the full eligibility requirements or a complete application package. It signals that details will be provided in the later NOFA.

24) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?

The Funding Opportunity Number shown in the posting is FR 5396 N 02.