Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII) Arts in Education National Program CFDA Number 84.351F | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): OII Arts in Education National Program (CFDA 84.351F) - FY 2011

1) What is the OII Arts in Education National Program (CFDA 84.351F)?

It is a discretionary grant competition administered by the U.S. Department of Education through the Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII). The program supports national-level, high-quality arts education projects for children and youth.

2) What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?

The central aim is to strengthen arts learning opportunities in ways that extend beyond a single school or community. The program focuses on projects that can demonstrate quality, scale, and impact, with a clear emphasis on expanding access and inclusion.

3) Who is the intended population served by projects funded under this program?

The program is aimed at children and youth. It places particular emphasis on serving students from low-income families and students with disabilities.

4) What does "national-level" mean in the context of this competition?

The competition is designed to support efforts with broad reach beyond a single local community. Based on the eligibility restriction (a national nonprofit arts education organization), the intended scope is national, such as through programming, resources, networks, dissemination efforts, training models, or other mechanisms that influence arts education across multiple regions or states.

5) What types of projects does the Department want to fund?

The synopsis describes support for national-level, high-quality arts education projects that can show quality, scale, and impact, while prioritizing access for underserved student populations (particularly low-income students and students with disabilities).

6) How many awards did the Department anticipate making for FY 2011?

The Department anticipated making a single award for the FY 2011 competition described in the notice.

7) What was the estimated total funding amount for this competition?

The estimated total funding amount was $6,654,000.

8) What type of funding instrument is used?

The funding instrument is a grant.

9) Was a cost-share or match required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement is listed in the provided synopsis. Applicants were not required to provide a mandatory non-federal match as a condition of eligibility based on the information provided.

10) Who was eligible to apply for this specific competition?

Eligibility was narrowly defined: only a national nonprofit arts education organization could apply.

11) Could local schools, districts, or community organizations apply directly?

Not for this competition as described. The eligibility limitation specifies that only a national nonprofit arts education organization could apply.

12) When was the opportunity posted?

It was posted on July 14, 2011.

13) When were applications made available?

Applications were made available on July 14, 2011 (the same day the opportunity was posted).

14) What was the deadline to submit an application?

The deadline for transmittal of applications was August 15, 2011.

15) When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was archived on September 14, 2011.

16) How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted in paper format, either by mail or by hand delivery.

17) Were electronic submissions accepted (for example, through Grants.gov)?

The notice underscores paper submission requirements (mail or hand delivery) for applications in this competition. The synopsis also references Grants.gov as a source of systems support for accessing the announcement electronically, but the application itself was required to be submitted in paper format per the information provided.

18) What happens if an application does not meet the deadline or submission rules?

The Department stated it would not consider applications that failed to comply with deadline requirements. Applicants were directed to the Federal Register notice for the specific submission rules, including acceptable delivery methods, addresses, and timing requirements.

19) Where can applicants find the official and complete requirements for the competition?

The synopsis emphasizes that it is not the full official solicitation. Applicants must rely on the Federal Register application notice for the definitive requirements and complete instructions.

20) What kinds of details are included in the Federal Register notice (but not in the synopsis)?

The synopsis indicates the Federal Register notice includes key information such as pre-application and application requirements, priorities, selection criteria, performance measures, and program contact information, along with the detailed "Other Submission Requirements" section.

21) Why does the eligibility restriction matter for understanding the Department's intent?

Limiting eligibility to a national nonprofit arts education organization suggests the Department intended to fund an organization positioned to operate at national scope and produce outcomes that extend beyond a single locality.

22) Who was the primary program contact for application materials and program questions?

The primary program manager contact listed in the notice was Carolyn Warren at the U.S. Department of Education (phone number and email were included in the notice).

23) Who should be contacted for technical help with accessing the announcement electronically?

The synopsis notes that a Grants.gov systems contact was provided for applicants who needed help accessing the announcement electronically.

24) What submission logistics should applicants pay closest attention to?

Applicants were directed to the Federal Register notice for the exact submission rules, including acceptable delivery methods, addresses, and timing requirements, described in the "Other Submission Requirements" section.