Notice of HUDs Fiscal Year 2012 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Policy Requirements and General Section to HUDs FY 12 NOFAs Discretionary Program | Apply Online

FAQs: HUD FY 2012 NOFA General Section and Policy Requirements (FR-5600-N-01)

1) Is FR-5600-N-01 a grant competition I can apply to?

No. This notice is not a standalone grant competition. It does not accept applications and it does not provide funding. It is a policy and guidance document meant to be read in advance of HUD's separate FY 2012 program-specific competitive (discretionary) NOFAs.

2) Does this notice award any money?

No. The notice itself does not make awards or provide an award amount. Funding decisions and awards occur only under the later, individual program NOFAs.

3) What is the purpose of this notice if it does not provide funding?

Its purpose is to give prospective applicants early access to the "General Section" that would govern HUD FY 2012 discretionary NOFAs. It centralizes standard rules, policy requirements, and general submission expectations that often apply across multiple HUD discretionary programs, so applicants can prepare before the program-specific NOFAs are released.

4) How does HUD structure its discretionary funding announcements?

HUD commonly uses a two-part structure: (1) a General Section that covers cross-cutting requirements and submission expectations, and (2) separate program NOFAs that describe the specific program purpose, eligible applicants, eligible activities, selection criteria, and any special program rules. This posting is the General Section and policy framework only.

5) What opportunity category is associated with this notice?

The broader FY 2012 competitions are described as Discretionary. This posting supports those discretionary competitions as guidance, but it is not itself a funding opportunity you apply to.

6) What funding instruments are associated with the FY 2012 competitions referenced here?

The broader FY 2012 competitions include grants and cooperative agreements. However, this particular notice does not offer an award because it is guidance only.

7) Who is eligible to apply based on this notice?

This notice does not define eligibility. Eligible applicants are determined by each individual program NOFA released later. Applicants need to consult the specific program NOFA to see who can apply.

8) What activities are eligible for funding under this notice?

This notice does not list eligible activities. Eligible activities are determined by the individual program NOFAs. Each program NOFA will specify what it funds and what it does not.

9) Does HUD fund individuals through this notice or through the competitive NOFA process?

No. The notice warns that HUD does not directly fund individuals through either its formula programs or the competitive NOFA process. HUD funding typically flows to organizations and entities identified as eligible in program NOFAs, not to individuals.

10) What kinds of requirements does the General Section cover?

It describes cross-cutting policy requirements and general submission expectations for FY 2012, such as standard technical and administrative expectations HUD uses across competitions. The notice also points to common baseline items like how applications are submitted and what general certifications, forms, and compliance obligations are commonly required across HUD awards. Program-specific details are left to the individual NOFAs.

11) What are HUD's policy priorities referenced in this notice?

The notice highlights HUD policy priorities drawn from HUD's Strategic Plan for FY 2010 to 2015. While it does not award funds, it signals agency-wide themes HUD expects applicants to align with when applying under specific FY 2012 program NOFAs.

12) How should applicants use the policy priorities if no application is submitted for this notice?

Applicants can use the priorities as early direction for shaping project design, outcomes, and narratives for future applications under program NOFAs. The idea is to align proposals with HUD's agency-wide direction ahead of time rather than waiting until a program NOFA is released and rushing to interpret cross-cutting requirements.

13) Does this notice include selection criteria or scoring?

No. Selection criteria, scoring, and other program-specific evaluation factors are described in the individual program NOFAs, not in this General Section posting.

14) Is there a cost sharing or match requirement?

The notice indicates there is no cost sharing or matching requirement associated with this posting, which aligns with the fact that the posting is guidance only and does not include an application or award.

15) When was this notice posted and how long was it available?

HUD posted it on September 19, 2011. It remained available through December 1, 2012, and it was archived on December 5, 2012.

16) If I want actual FY 2012 HUD funding, where should I look?

Applicants are directed to HUD's Funds Available web page for the real program NOFAs and application instructions. That is where the actual funding opportunities and submission steps would be posted.

17) What is the main practical benefit of reading this notice?

It is intended to reduce confusion and improve application quality by centralizing standard rules and expectations that tend to apply across multiple HUD discretionary programs. It can help organizations plan early, assemble standard documentation, and anticipate cross-cutting requirements likely to appear in later program NOFAs.

18) How can an organization prepare using this notice?

Based on the purpose described, organizations can treat it as a roadmap for later FY 2012 competitions by pre-planning partnerships, aligning program models with HUD strategic priorities, assembling standard organizational documentation, and preparing to meet the cross-cutting requirements that are likely to reappear in specific program NOFAs.

19) Does this notice replace the program-specific NOFA?

No. It is meant to be read alongside and in advance of program-specific NOFAs. The program NOFAs control the program purpose, eligibility, eligible activities, selection criteria, and any special rules for that competition.

20) Who can I contact if I cannot retrieve the full announcement electronically?

HUD provided a contact point through the Office of Departmental Grants Management and Oversight at 202-708-0667. The posting also references an email contact person for support.