Department of Defense Child and Youth Development System Evaluation Planning | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this grant opportunity?

The official title is "Department of Defense Child and Youth Development System Evaluation Planning." It is also referred to as the Department of Defense Child and Youth Development System Evaluation Planning (CYEP) Competitive Grant Program (FY 2014).

Which agency is administering this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary federal funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

What is the purpose of the CYEP Competitive Grant Program?

The purpose is to support work that assesses Department of Defense (DoD) Child and Youth Development Programs and, based on that assessment, develops practical evaluation plans for specific, targeted programs.

What does "evaluation planning" mean in the context of this program?

The emphasis is on evaluation planning rather than running or expanding services. It involves taking a structured look at existing DoD child and youth programming, identifying what should be measured and how, and producing clear, usable plans that can guide future evaluation efforts.

What type of award mechanism is used?

Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement.

How is a cooperative agreement different from a typical grant (based on this announcement)?

The announcement indicates that a cooperative agreement typically means the federal agency expects an active partnership with the recipient during the project period, rather than a hands-off grant relationship.

How much total funding was available under this opportunity?

The total estimated funding available was $450,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The announcement states there was no cost-sharing or matching requirement, so applicants were not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of award.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on August 6, 2014.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was August 28, 2014. The original and current closing dates were the same.

Is this opportunity still open?

No. The announcement was archived on September 27, 2014.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is USDA NIFA COOP 004596.

What CFDA number is associated with this program?

The program is associated with CFDA number 10.200, "Grants for Agricultural Research, Special Research Grants."

What is the broader funding activity category?

The opportunity is categorized under the broader funding activity category of Agriculture, reflecting NIFA's role and the administrative funding stream, even though the program focus is on DoD child and youth development systems.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was described as broad. Eligible applicants included state agricultural experiment stations, state cooperative extension services, all colleges and universities, other research or educational institutions or organizations, and other contractors or recipients, whether domestic or foreign, as long as the proposed work furthers research, extension, or teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences under USDA.

Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The eligibility description notes that applicants may be domestic or foreign, as long as the proposed work furthers qualifying USDA research, extension, or teaching programs in the food and agricultural sciences.

Does the announcement mention any additional eligibility nuances?

Yes. The listing notes that eligibility is clarified in an additional information field within the full announcement, which suggests there may be additional details or nuances in the complete solicitation.

What kinds of organizations are included under "research or educational institutions or organizations"?

The announcement explicitly includes state agricultural experiment stations, state cooperative extension services, and all colleges and universities, and also allows other research or educational institutions or organizations, as well as other contractors or recipients (domestic or foreign), if the work supports relevant USDA research, extension, or teaching goals in food and agricultural sciences.

What should applicants do if they cannot access the full announcement electronically?

NIFA provided a help desk contact for applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement electronically: NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during weekday business hours, excluding federal holidays.

Is there a contact for questions about preparing the application?

Yes. The announcement indicates there was also a point of contact for questions about preparing application content, implying applicants could receive guidance on assembling a compliant proposal package.

Does the program fund direct delivery of child and youth services?

The announcement describes the emphasis as evaluation planning focused on assessing existing DoD Child and Youth Development Programs and developing practical evaluation plans. It does not describe funding for direct service delivery within the information provided.

What are the expected outputs from funded work (based on the description provided)?

Based on the description, the expected outputs include an assessment of DoD Child and Youth Development Programs and practical, clear, usable evaluation plans for specific targeted programs, including what should be measured and how.