Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 09 USFA 103 2080
Apply for DHS 09 USFA 103 2080
- The Department of Homeland Security FEMA in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Degrees at a Distance Program (DDP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.103 Degrees at a Distance Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Apr 21, 2009 and posted on Apr 15, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 15, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $70,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $10,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 7 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Private institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Identified DDP colleges/universities
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Opportunity Summary:
The Degrees at a Distance Program (DDP) grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DHS-09-USFA-103-2080) is a discretionary funding program administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), in coordination with the National Fire Academy (NFA). The core purpose of the opportunity is to strengthen and expand distance-based higher education pathways for fire service personnel, especially those who cannot attend traditional on-campus programs because of shift work, geographic distance, family responsibilities, or other barriers common in the fire and emergency services.
This funding is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the government generally expects an active partnership or involvement in carrying out the project rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant. The program is categorized under CFDA 97.103 (Degrees at a Distance Program), which signals it is specifically tied to USFA education and training objectives. The DDP is designed to provide an alternative way for fire service professionals to work toward a bachelor s degree or to complete college-level coursework in a fire-related concentration using distance learning approaches, rather than requiring in-person attendance on a campus.
The grant supports practical, program-building activities that help participating colleges and universities deliver and maintain fire-related distance education. Allowable uses highlighted in the announcement include curriculum development (creating or updating courses and academic content), support for regional meetings (coordination and collaboration among partner institutions and stakeholders), program marketing (outreach to potential students in the fire service), printing and publication of course materials (hard-copy materials and related publications), and initiating institutional agreements with local two-year college degree programs. A key emphasis is building or strengthening partnerships between NFA-designated DDP colleges/universities and local community colleges so that students can move more smoothly from associate-level programs into bachelor-level completion or advanced coursework through distance education.
Eligibility is limited and targeted. The opportunity lists private institutions of higher education as eligible applicants, along with other eligible entities specifically identified as DDP colleges/universities. In other words, the applicant pool is not open to every school or organization; it is aimed at institutions already recognized or designated within the DDP framework. The program intent is to fund institutions that are part of the established DDP network and can directly contribute to expanding distance-learning degree options for the fire service workforce.
In terms of funding scale, the announcement anticipated up to 7 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $70,000. The stated award ceiling is $10,000 per award. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which reduces financial barriers for eligible institutions and allows smaller colleges or programs to participate without needing to commit additional non-federal funds as a condition of receiving an award.
The timeline for this specific posting shows it was originally posted on April 15, 2009, created on April 21, 2009, and had an original closing date of May 1, 2009, later extended to May 15, 2009. The opportunity was archived on June 14, 2009. For applicants or interested parties needing help accessing the full announcement, the notice directs them to the FEMA Call Center at (866) 927-5646 or by email at ASK-GMD@dhs.gov, and it references Grants.gov as the location of the full announcement details.
Overall, the DDP opportunity is best understood as a small-dollar, targeted capacity-building grant meant to help designated partner institutions improve, promote, and coordinate distance education offerings in fire-related academic concentrations. Its focus is less on direct student aid and more on strengthening the educational infrastructure (courses, materials, partnerships, and outreach) that makes degree completion and college-level learning realistically accessible to working fire service personnel.
Degrees at a Distance Program (DDP) Grant (DHS-09-USFA-103-2080): Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the Degrees at a Distance Program (DDP) grant opportunity?
The Degrees at a Distance Program (DDP) grant opportunity is a discretionary funding program administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), in coordination with the National Fire Academy (NFA). It is intended to strengthen and expand distance-based higher education pathways for fire service personnel.
2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DHS-09-USFA-103-2080.
3) What is the CFDA number for this program?
The program is categorized under CFDA 97.103 (Degrees at a Distance Program).
4) What is the main purpose of this funding?
The core purpose is to build and improve distance-learning higher education options for fire service professionals, especially those who face barriers to traditional on-campus programs such as shift work, geographic distance, family responsibilities, and other common constraints in fire and emergency services.
5) Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?
This funding is offered as a cooperative agreement. That means the government generally expects active partnership or involvement in carrying out the project, rather than providing a hands-off award.
6) Who administers and coordinates the DDP program?
The opportunity is administered by DHS through FEMA and USFA, and it is coordinated with the National Fire Academy (NFA).
7) What types of activities can the DDP grant funds support?
The announcement highlights practical, program-building activities that help colleges and universities deliver and maintain fire-related distance education. Examples include curriculum development, support for regional meetings, program marketing, printing and publication of course materials, and initiating institutional agreements with local two-year college degree programs.
8) Does the grant support curriculum development?
Yes. Curriculum development is listed as an allowable use, including creating or updating courses and academic content for fire-related distance education.
9) Can funds be used for meetings and coordination among partners?
Yes. Support for regional meetings is specifically listed to enable coordination and collaboration among partner institutions and stakeholders.
10) Is marketing and outreach an allowable expense?
Yes. Program marketing and outreach to potential students in the fire service are included among the allowable uses highlighted in the announcement.
11) Can the grant pay for printing and publishing course materials?
Yes. Printing and publication of course materials (including hard-copy materials and related publications) are identified as allowable uses.
12) Does the opportunity encourage partnerships with community colleges?
Yes. A key emphasis is strengthening partnerships between NFA-designated DDP colleges/universities and local community colleges, helping students move more smoothly from associate-level programs into bachelor-level completion or advanced coursework through distance education.
13) Is this funding meant to provide direct student financial aid?
No. The focus is on strengthening educational infrastructure (courses, materials, partnerships, and outreach) rather than providing direct student aid.
14) What level of education does the DDP focus on?
The DDP is designed to support distance-learning pathways that help fire service professionals work toward a bachelor's degree or complete college-level coursework in a fire-related concentration without requiring in-person campus attendance.
15) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited and targeted. The opportunity lists private institutions of higher education as eligible applicants, along with other eligible entities specifically identified as DDP colleges/universities. The applicant pool is not open to every school or organization; it is aimed at institutions already recognized or designated within the DDP framework.
16) Are all colleges and universities eligible to apply?
No. The information provided indicates eligibility is limited to private institutions of higher education and other eligible entities specifically identified as DDP colleges/universities, meaning it is aimed at institutions within the established DDP network.
17) How many awards were anticipated?
The announcement anticipated up to 7 awards.
18) What was the estimated total funding amount?
The estimated total funding amount was $70,000.
19) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The stated award ceiling is $10,000 per award.
20) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
21) When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
The posting timeline shows it was originally posted on April 15, 2009, created on April 21, 2009, and had an original closing date of May 1, 2009, later extended to May 15, 2009.
22) Is this opportunity still open?
No. The opportunity was archived on June 14, 2009.
23) Where could applicants find the full announcement details?
The notice references Grants.gov as the location of the full announcement details.
24) Who can be contacted for help accessing the full announcement?
For assistance, the notice directs interested parties to the FEMA Call Center at (866) 927-5646 or by email at ASK-GMD@dhs.gov.
25) What is the overall intent of the DDP grant based on the description?
Overall, the opportunity is a small-dollar, targeted capacity-building award intended to help designated partner institutions improve, promote, and coordinate distance education offerings in fire-related academic concentrations so that degree completion and college-level learning are realistically accessible to working fire service personnel.
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