Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) Alaska Native Education Program CFDA Number 84356A | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the OESE Alaska Native Education (ANE) Program (CFDA 84.356A)?

The Alaska Native Education (ANE) Program is a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE). It supports innovative projects intended to improve educational services for Alaska Native children and adults.

2) What is the legal authority for this grant program?

The ANE Program is grounded in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended. Funds are for activities authorized under ESEA section 7304(a)(2) and section 7304(a)(3).

3) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this competition?

The Funding Opportunity Number listed for this round is ED-GRANTS-022615-001.

4) When was this funding opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?

The opportunity was posted on February 26, 2015, and applications were available the same day. The application deadline was April 27, 2015. The opportunity was later archived on May 27, 2015.

5) How many awards were expected and what was the estimated total funding?

For this competition, the Department anticipated making about 33 awards, with an estimated total funding level of $16,808,028.

6) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is focused on organizations with direct Alaska Native ties or demonstrated experience serving Alaska Native learners. Eligible applicants include:

• Alaska Native organizations
• Educational entities with experience developing or operating Alaska Native programs or instruction conducted in Alaska Native languages
• Cultural and community-based organizations with experience operating programs that benefit Alaska Natives
• Consortia made up of the types of organizations listed above

7) Can State Educational Agencies (SEAs) or Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) apply?

SEAs and LEAs (including charter schools that qualify as LEAs under state law) can only apply if they are part of a consortium that includes an Alaska Native organization.

8) If applying as a consortium, does an Alaska Native organization have to be involved?

Yes. For SEAs/LEAs (including eligible charter schools), participation is only allowed as part of a consortium that includes an Alaska Native organization. The Department also encourages the Alaska Native organization to serve as the lead applicant and to play an active role in carrying out grant activities.

9) Can a consortium include additional partners beyond the Alaska Native organization?

Yes. The consortium can include other eligible partners beyond the required Alaska Native organization participation.

10) Are grant funds allowed to be used for construction?

For the FY 2015 competition, Congress explicitly allowed program funds to be used for construction of facilities, as long as the construction supports the operation of ANE programs. This is a notable feature because construction is not always permitted in many education grant programs.

11) Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated in the posting. In general, applicants were not required to contribute non-federal funds as a condition of receiving an award, though applicants still need to follow the official notice for budgeting rules, allowability standards, and grant conditions.

12) How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using the Grants.gov "Apply" process.

13) Can an application be submitted by email directly to the U.S. Department of Education?

No. The notice states that applications could not be submitted by emailing a copy directly to the Department. Submission needed to occur through Grants.gov.

14) How do applicants find the correct application package on Grants.gov?

Applicants were expected to locate the correct application package by searching the CFDA number without the letter suffix. That means searching for "84.356" rather than "84.356A."

15) Is the online posting the full set of requirements?

No. The posting emphasizes that the online summary is only a synopsis. The controlling requirements are in the official Federal Register application notice.

16) Where can applicants find full details on requirements (priorities, performance measures, and required components)?

Applicants are directed to the official Federal Register application notice for full details on eligibility nuances, required application components, priorities, performance measures, and submission requirements.

17) Who should be contacted for Grants.gov or system access questions?

For questions or access issues related to the announcement and Grants.gov systems, the posting lists:

• Julius Cotton (ED Grants.gov/FIND Systems Admin)
• Phone: 202-245-6288
• Email: EducationGrantInquiries@ed.gov

18) Who should be contacted for programmatic questions about the ANE Program?

For programmatic questions, the posting lists the program manager:

• Almita Reed, U.S. Department of Education
• Phone: (202) 260-1979
• Email: Almita.Reed@ed.gov

19) What types of projects does the ANE Program support?

The program supports innovative projects that improve educational services for Alaska Native children and adults.