Mathematics Curriculum Development for DoDEA Worldwide Department of Defense Schools | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Mathematics Curriculum Development for DoDEA Worldwide Department of Defense Schools (MATH) opportunity?

It was a discretionary federal grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The competition funded the development of ready-to-use mathematics instructional units for Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools worldwide.

What was the primary purpose of this grant?

The purpose was to produce polished, classroom-ready mathematics instructional units that elementary teachers in DoDEA schools could implement immediately, rather than broad curriculum frameworks or long-term research plans.

Which grades were targeted by this opportunity?

The opportunity specifically targeted elementary grades K through 5.

Who were the intended end users of the funded materials?

The intended end users were DoDEA elementary teachers and their K-5 students in DoDEA schools worldwide.

What kind of deliverables was NIFA looking for?

NIFA emphasized the development of ready-to-use instructional units. Applicants were expected to show they could translate mathematics standards into practical, immediately usable classroom units.

Were applicants expected to propose research studies or long-term curriculum frameworks?

No. The opportunity emphasized speed and usability, indicating the agency wanted organizations that could produce classroom-ready instructional content on a short timeline, rather than broad frameworks or long-term research efforts.

What standards did the instructional units need to align with?

The materials were required to align to the College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics, described in the notice as the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. Applicants needed to demonstrate clear standards alignment.

How important was standards alignment in the application?

Standards alignment was a central requirement. Applicants needed to show both alignment to the standards and the ability to translate those standards into practical classroom units teachers could implement immediately.

What was the expected timeline for delivering the instructional units?

Applicants were expected to deliver high-quality mathematics units in time for teacher use during the remainder of the 2015 to 2016 school year, reflecting a short, time-sensitive production timeline.

What type of federal funding instrument was used?

Funding was provided through a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that the award was a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically indicates a more collaborative relationship with the funding agency than a standard grant, often involving federal involvement or coordination during the project.

How much funding was available?

The estimated total funding was $315,000.

What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling was $315,000.

Was the opportunity expecting a single award or multiple awards?

Because the estimated total funding and the award ceiling were both $315,000, the listing implied an expectation of a single award at or up to that amount.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity stated that no cost sharing or matching was required.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was broad. NIFA indicated applications could be submitted by state agricultural experiment stations, state cooperative extension services, colleges and universities, and other research or educational institutions or organizations.

Could non-traditional applicants apply (beyond universities and extension services)?

Yes. The notice allowed applications from essentially any other contractor or recipient, domestic or foreign, as long as the proposal supported research, extension, or teaching programs in areas tied to food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences.

Could foreign (non-U.S.) organizations apply?

Yes. The eligibility language included domestic or foreign applicants, provided the proposal supported the types of programs described in the notice.

Why was a mathematics curriculum project associated with NIFA and USDA?

The opportunity was housed within NIFA's broader education and extension authorities. The eligibility language reflected NIFA's wider umbrella tied to food, agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences, even though the specific project focus was mathematics curriculum for DoDEA schools.

What was the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The listing identified the CFDA number as 10.500 (Cooperative Extension Service).

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on August 26, 2015.

What were the application closing dates?

The original closing date and the final closing date were both September 8, 2015.

When was the opportunity archived?

The listing was archived on October 8, 2015.

Where could applicants get help if they had trouble accessing the full announcement?

NIFA directed applicants to a help desk phone number: 202-401-5048, for difficulties accessing the full announcement, and referenced standard business hours.

Could applicants ask questions about preparing application content?

Yes. The notice indicated applicants could ask questions related to preparing application content.

What made this opportunity distinct from typical curriculum projects?

It was highly targeted (DoDEA K-5 mathematics), required explicit standards alignment, and strongly emphasized rapid production of teacher-ready units for use during the remainder of the 2015-2016 school year.