WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 1 00:00:05.320 --> 00:00:09.169 Hello and welcome to the Institute of Museum and Library 2 00:00:09.169 --> 00:00:12.815 Services Informational Video, the 21st Century Museum 3 00:00:12.815 --> 00:00:16.800 Professionals Grant Program Applicant Information Session. 4 00:00:17.240 --> 00:00:21.071 My name is Mark Isaksen, one of the program staff here in the 5 00:00:21.071 --> 00:00:24.902 Office of Museum Services at IMLS, and I'll be narrating this 6 00:00:24.902 --> 00:00:26.200 presentation for you. 7 00:00:30.760 --> 00:00:35.213 The goal of this video is to provide an overview of our 21st 8 00:00:35.213 --> 00:00:39.666 century Museum professionals program referred to as 21MP, as 9 00:00:39.666 --> 00:00:44.119 well as the process of preparing an application for funding. 10 00:00:46.680 --> 00:00:49.000 The video is organized into six chapters. 11 00:00:49.400 --> 00:00:50.920 What is 21 MP? 12 00:00:50.960 --> 00:00:53.867 This introductory section explains the purpose and design 13 00:00:53.867 --> 00:00:54.920 of the grant program. 14 00:00:56.600 --> 00:00:59.819 Next is what can 21 MP grants fund and this section provides 15 00:00:59.819 --> 00:01:03.250 detail on the types of projects funded in this grant program and 16 00:01:03.250 --> 00:01:05.520 the amount of funds that can be requested. 17 00:01:06.680 --> 00:01:09.791 Next is the application components where we introduced 18 00:01:09.791 --> 00:01:13.072 the different components and documents that are needed to 19 00:01:13.072 --> 00:01:14.600 create a grant application. 20 00:01:16.240 --> 00:01:19.746 We can go into detail about two of the application components, 21 00:01:19.746 --> 00:01:21.360 the narrative and the budget. 22 00:01:22.280 --> 00:01:24.760 And then finally, some tips and next steps. 23 00:01:25.920 --> 00:01:29.865 The complete set of instructions for how to prepare and submit a 24 00:01:29.865 --> 00:01:33.447 21 MP grant application are found in the Notice of Funding 25 00:01:33.447 --> 00:01:36.968 Opportunity published on grants.gov and also available on 26 00:01:36.968 --> 00:01:37.999 the IMLS website. 27 00:01:38.800 --> 00:01:41.855 Please refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the most 28 00:01:41.855 --> 00:01:44.280 detailed information To prepare your application. 29 00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:48.897 To get the most out of this video, we recommend that you 30 00:01:48.897 --> 00:01:50.080 watch it in its entirety. 31 00:01:50.120 --> 00:01:52.783 This will give you an understanding of the 21 MP 32 00:01:52.783 --> 00:01:55.991 program, the types of projects that can be funded, and the 33 00:01:55.991 --> 00:01:57.840 necessary application components. 34 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:02.142 You may also want to review the Notice of Funding Opportunity 35 00:02:02.142 --> 00:02:04.800 before, during, or after you watch the video. 36 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:07.160 Notice is a Funding Opportunity. 37 00:02:07.240 --> 00:02:11.010 Also referred to as nofos are documents that detail the 38 00:02:11.010 --> 00:02:14.983 requirements of each of our grant programs for fiscal year 39 00:02:14.983 --> 00:02:15.320 2024. 40 00:02:16.200 --> 00:02:21.604 All of our NOFOs can be found at imls.gov/grants as you navigate 41 00:02:21.604 --> 00:02:23.600 the application process. 42 00:02:23.600 --> 00:02:25.760 You can use this video as a reference tool. 43 00:02:26.080 --> 00:02:29.540 And if you'd like to stick to a specific section, please use the 44 00:02:29.540 --> 00:02:32.735 time bar or the links in the description box to navigate to 45 00:02:32.735 --> 00:02:33.960 the different chapters. 46 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:40.500 In this section, we will answer the question What is the 21 MP 47 00:02:40.500 --> 00:02:44.001 program providing information on the purpose and intent of the 48 00:02:44.001 --> 00:02:46.280 program and who it is designed to serve. 49 00:02:47.880 --> 00:02:52.118 The 21st century museum professionals or 21 MP program 50 00:02:52.118 --> 00:02:56.125 provides grant funding opportunities to advance the 51 00:02:56.125 --> 00:03:00.441 growth and development of a diverse workforce of museum 52 00:03:00.441 --> 00:03:01.520 professionals. 53 00:03:02.160 --> 00:03:06.064 The 21 MP program fulfils A strategic objective for IMLS to 54 00:03:06.064 --> 00:03:09.773 support the training and professional development of the 55 00:03:09.773 --> 00:03:13.677 museum and library workforce, which is listed in our agency 56 00:03:13.677 --> 00:03:15.760 strategic plan for 2022 to 2026. 57 00:03:16.720 --> 00:03:22.798 IMLS is legislatively authorized to create and operate this grant 58 00:03:22.798 --> 00:03:28.233 program in 20 USC Chapter 72, Museum and Library Services, 59 00:03:28.233 --> 00:03:30.720 Subchapter 3, Section 9175. 60 00:03:34.920 --> 00:03:39.125 The 21 MP program supports projects that offer professional 61 00:03:39.125 --> 00:03:42.280 development to the current museum workforce. 62 00:03:44.160 --> 00:03:48.980 We also support projects that employ strategies to train and 63 00:03:48.980 --> 00:03:53.327 recruit the future museum professionals and we support 64 00:03:53.327 --> 00:03:58.306 projects that support evaluation efforts to identify and share 65 00:03:58.306 --> 00:04:02.731 effective practices in museum training and professional 66 00:04:02.731 --> 00:04:03.679 development. 67 00:04:07.600 --> 00:04:10.763 IMLS recognizes the important role of strong local and 68 00:04:10.763 --> 00:04:13.811 regional networks as an essential tool for providing 69 00:04:13.811 --> 00:04:17.320 peer-to-peer learning, training and mentoring opportunities. 70 00:04:17.960 --> 00:04:21.351 The 21 MP program encourages applications from museum 71 00:04:21.351 --> 00:04:24.994 associations, museum studies, programs at institutions of 72 00:04:24.994 --> 00:04:28.825 higher education, and museums that serve as key parts of the 73 00:04:28.825 --> 00:04:31.839 professional learning and training environment. 74 00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:38.794 Applicants to the 21 MP program may include museums that serve 75 00:04:38.794 --> 00:04:42.281 as key parts of the professional learning and training 76 00:04:42.281 --> 00:04:45.896 environment, and museums, like all applicants, must meet 77 00:04:45.896 --> 00:04:49.320 certain requirements to be eligible for IMLS funding. 78 00:04:50.640 --> 00:04:54.902 Your organization must be located in one of the United 79 00:04:54.902 --> 00:04:59.165 States, 50 states, its territories, or the District of 80 00:04:59.165 --> 00:05:04.047 Columbia, and your organization must be a unit of state, local 81 00:05:04.047 --> 00:05:08.697 or tribal government or or a private nonprofit organization 82 00:05:08.697 --> 00:05:10.480 with tax exempt status. 83 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:14.853 If you meet those two requirements then the next step 84 00:05:14.853 --> 00:05:18.994 is to consider what it means to be eligible for IMLS funding as 85 00:05:18.994 --> 00:05:23.134 a museum and basically museums must have at least one full time 86 00:05:23.134 --> 00:05:26.822 or equivalent professional staff, person paid or unpaid, 87 00:05:26.822 --> 00:05:31.092 have a physical location that it owns or operates, have been open 88 00:05:31.092 --> 00:05:34.909 to the public for at least 120 days in a year prior to the 89 00:05:34.909 --> 00:05:39.179 application deadline, and own or use tangible objects and museums 90 00:05:39.179 --> 00:05:41.119 can be, you know, stand alone. 91 00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:44.768 Organizations are part of a larger institution such as a 92 00:05:44.768 --> 00:05:48.480 college, university, tribe, or state or local government. 93 00:05:52.920 --> 00:05:56.329 The 21 MP program is also open to any organization or 94 00:05:56.329 --> 00:06:00.053 association that engages in activities designed to advance 95 00:06:00.053 --> 00:06:03.400 the well-being of museums and the museum profession. 96 00:06:04.680 --> 00:06:08.480 Applicants in this eligibility category may be national, 97 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:12.546 regional, state, or discipline based associations or related 98 00:06:12.546 --> 00:06:16.080 organizations that primarily serve the museum field. 99 00:06:18.160 --> 00:06:21.148 These organizations, like all applicants, must meet certain 100 00:06:21.148 --> 00:06:23.440 requirements to be eligible for IMLS funding. 101 00:06:24.280 --> 00:06:27.480 Your organization must be located in one of the United 102 00:06:27.480 --> 00:06:30.623 States, 50 states, its territories where the District 103 00:06:30.623 --> 00:06:33.649 of Columbia and your organization must be a unit of 104 00:06:33.649 --> 00:06:36.384 state, local or tribal government or a private 105 00:06:36.384 --> 00:06:39.120 nonprofit organization with tax exempt status. 106 00:06:42.920 --> 00:06:47.594 Also, the 21 MP program is open to institutions of higher 107 00:06:47.594 --> 00:06:48.400 education. 108 00:06:49.320 --> 00:06:52.725 An institution of higher education includes public and 109 00:06:52.725 --> 00:06:56.626 nonprofit universities who may offer museum studies or related 110 00:06:56.626 --> 00:06:59.413 programs that support the training of museum 111 00:06:59.413 --> 00:07:00.280 professionals. 112 00:07:01.440 --> 00:07:06.136 These programs may be in the form of undergraduate, graduate, 113 00:07:06.136 --> 00:07:10.832 or professional and continuing education as an institution of 114 00:07:10.832 --> 00:07:12.120 higher education. 115 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:14.992 Like other types of applicants, you must meet certain 116 00:07:14.992 --> 00:07:17.440 requirements to be eligible for IMLS funding. 117 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:22.406 Again, your organization must be located in one of the United 118 00:07:22.406 --> 00:07:25.818 States, 50 states, its territories, or the District of 119 00:07:25.818 --> 00:07:29.664 Columbia, and your organization must be a unit unit of state, 120 00:07:29.664 --> 00:07:33.573 local or tribal, government, or private nonprofit organization 121 00:07:33.573 --> 00:07:35.000 with tax exempt status. 122 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:43.710 In this section, we will answer the question What can 21 MP 123 00:07:43.710 --> 00:07:47.438 Grants Fund providing details on the types of projects and 124 00:07:47.438 --> 00:07:51.355 associated goals within the 21st Century Museum Professionals 125 00:07:51.355 --> 00:07:52.239 Grant Program. 126 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:58.162 Like so many of the IMLS grant programs, the 21 MP grants are 127 00:07:58.162 --> 00:08:01.959 intended to support project based activities, so let's take 128 00:08:01.959 --> 00:08:04.680 a minute to consider just what that means. 129 00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:08.881 The Project Management Institute has a good definition, which is 130 00:08:08.881 --> 00:08:12.522 a project is a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a 131 00:08:12.522 --> 00:08:14.720 unique product, service or result. 132 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:21.906 They also further explain that a project is temporary because it 133 00:08:21.906 --> 00:08:27.088 has a defined beginning and end, and therefore a defined scope 134 00:08:27.088 --> 00:08:28.240 and resources. 135 00:08:30.160 --> 00:08:33.886 A project is unique in that it is not a routine operation, but 136 00:08:33.886 --> 00:08:36.725 rather a specific set of operations designed to 137 00:08:36.725 --> 00:08:40.510 accomplish a singular goal, and we recommend that you keep this 138 00:08:40.510 --> 00:08:43.999 definition in mind as you conceptualize your IMLS project. 139 00:08:44.280 --> 00:08:48.316 Think of it as a temporary non routine set of activities which 140 00:08:48.316 --> 00:08:51.520 collectively have a beginning and an end in time. 141 00:08:52.200 --> 00:08:56.009 A defined scope requiring specific resources which are 142 00:08:56.009 --> 00:08:59.680 designed to accomplish a specific and singular goal. 143 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:06.023 Now with a solid grounding and project based design, your 144 00:09:06.023 --> 00:09:09.119 project should also contain a few additional key 145 00:09:09.119 --> 00:09:12.720 characteristics that are essential in the 21 MP program. 146 00:09:14.640 --> 00:09:16.160 First is in depth knowledge. 147 00:09:16.440 --> 00:09:20.936 The project design reflects A thorough understanding of 148 00:09:20.936 --> 00:09:25.594 current practice related to training museum professionals 149 00:09:25.594 --> 00:09:27.120 inclusive approach. 150 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:31.879 This refers to employing inclusive strategies to reach 151 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:35.600 target audiences at multiple institutions. 152 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:42.480 Also, think about audience focus. 153 00:09:42.640 --> 00:09:47.019 The project should engage museum staff, leadership, and 154 00:09:47.019 --> 00:09:47.880 volunteers. 155 00:09:48.680 --> 00:09:54.201 You know, really at any stage of career development and 156 00:09:54.201 --> 00:10:00.511 measurable results, we want your project to generate measurable 157 00:10:00.511 --> 00:10:06.328 results that tied directly to the need or challenge it was 158 00:10:06.328 --> 00:10:08.299 designed to address. 159 00:10:10.300 --> 00:10:14.548 And successful projects should exemplify all these 160 00:10:14.548 --> 00:10:19.713 characteristics and will then fit well within the 21 MP grant 161 00:10:19.713 --> 00:10:20.380 program. 162 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:26.276 Now it's time to consider how your project aligns with the 163 00:10:26.276 --> 00:10:29.860 specific grant program goals and associated objectives. 164 00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:34.970 Goal one is to support the professional development of the 165 00:10:34.970 --> 00:10:38.125 museum workforce, including those from diverse and 166 00:10:38.125 --> 00:10:39.920 underrepresented backgrounds. 167 00:10:41.080 --> 00:10:45.016 Projects that have a primary focus on the current museum 168 00:10:45.016 --> 00:10:47.640 workforce are aligned with this goal. 169 00:10:52.280 --> 00:10:56.118 Supporting the goal one focus on the current workforce of museum 170 00:10:56.118 --> 00:10:59.839 professionals are two associated objectives and you can select 171 00:10:59.839 --> 00:11:01.080 one or both of these. 172 00:11:01.800 --> 00:11:04.865 The first objective is to develop new or enhanced 173 00:11:04.865 --> 00:11:08.666 professional development and training programs for the museum 174 00:11:08.666 --> 00:11:09.280 workforce. 175 00:11:09.560 --> 00:11:13.178 This objective applies to any project that is creating a new 176 00:11:13.178 --> 00:11:17.093 training program or expanding an existing training program with a 177 00:11:17.093 --> 00:11:20.000 target audience of the current museum workforce. 178 00:11:21.040 --> 00:11:24.249 And the target audience can be for people at any stage of their 179 00:11:24.249 --> 00:11:24.600 career. 180 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:29.890 It might be early career emerging, experienced, senior 181 00:11:29.890 --> 00:11:35.000 level, all levels or any level of stage of their career. 182 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:39.157 It's for you and your project to design and describe the target 183 00:11:39.157 --> 00:11:39.680 audience. 184 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:47.565 The 2nd objective under Goal One is to support the assessment and 185 00:11:47.565 --> 00:11:51.068 evaluation of training and professional development 186 00:11:51.068 --> 00:11:54.839 programs and to identify and share effective practices. 187 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:59.500 This objective is essential for those projects that will be 188 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:03.155 conducting rigorous evaluation and assessment of training 189 00:12:03.155 --> 00:12:07.250 programs to analyze and distill those results and share findings 190 00:12:07.250 --> 00:12:11.157 with relevant and interested sectors of the museum, field and 191 00:12:11.157 --> 00:12:14.560 professional training and higher education ecosystem. 192 00:12:19.160 --> 00:12:22.360 Now let's look at the second program goal for 21 MP. 193 00:12:23.760 --> 00:12:28.046 Goal two is for projects that will recruit and train future 194 00:12:28.046 --> 00:12:32.405 museum professionals, including those from diverse and under 195 00:12:32.405 --> 00:12:34.120 represented backgrounds. 196 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:38.928 Projects aligned with this goal will have a primary audience 197 00:12:38.928 --> 00:12:40.880 focus on the future workforce. 198 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:48.668 Supporting Goal 2 with the focus on the future workforce are 199 00:12:48.668 --> 00:12:53.982 three associated objectives and you can select one or more of 200 00:12:53.982 --> 00:12:55.440 these objectives. 201 00:12:58.160 --> 00:13:02.734 Objective 2.1 is to increase the number of students from diverse 202 00:13:02.734 --> 00:13:06.815 and underrepresented backgrounds enrolled in graduate and 203 00:13:06.815 --> 00:13:09.560 undergraduate museum related programs. 204 00:13:10.280 --> 00:13:13.786 This objective connects to projects that directly involve 205 00:13:13.786 --> 00:13:17.052 museum studies or related programs at institutions of 206 00:13:17.052 --> 00:13:18.080 higher education. 207 00:13:20.200 --> 00:13:23.567 Objective 2.3 is to recruit future museum professionals from 208 00:13:23.567 --> 00:13:26.603 diverse and under represented backgrounds through paid 209 00:13:26.603 --> 00:13:29.640 internships or mentoring and fellowship opportunities. 210 00:13:30.400 --> 00:13:34.106 And this objective aligns with projects that focus on the 211 00:13:34.106 --> 00:13:37.940 recruitment, placement and retention of people entering the 212 00:13:37.940 --> 00:13:41.326 museum field and may involve activities such as paid 213 00:13:41.326 --> 00:13:45.160 mentorships, paid internships, mentorship opportunities, or 214 00:13:45.160 --> 00:13:49.377 other activities that foster the connections between training and 215 00:13:49.377 --> 00:13:53.147 professional development and higher education students and 216 00:13:53.147 --> 00:13:55.640 job opportunities in the museum field. 217 00:13:58.360 --> 00:14:03.096 Objective 2.3 is for projects that support assessment and 218 00:14:03.096 --> 00:14:07.833 evaluation of recruitment, training, and higher education 219 00:14:07.833 --> 00:14:12.080 programs to identify and share effective practices. 220 00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:12.720 Now. 221 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:16.288 This objective is essential for those projects that will be 222 00:14:16.288 --> 00:14:19.737 conducting rigorous evaluation and assessment of programs 223 00:14:19.737 --> 00:14:21.640 focused on the future workforce. 224 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:25.478 This can be focused on evaluating new programs or 225 00:14:25.478 --> 00:14:28.826 conducting retrospective or longitudinal analysis of 226 00:14:28.826 --> 00:14:32.552 existing programs, and to share findings with relevant and 227 00:14:32.552 --> 00:14:36.721 interested sectors of the museum field, and professional training 228 00:14:36.721 --> 00:14:38.680 in higher education ecosystems. 229 00:14:44.320 --> 00:14:47.658 Now, regardless of the program goals selected, all 21 MP 230 00:14:47.658 --> 00:14:50.880 projects must stay within a specific range of funding. 231 00:14:51.160 --> 00:14:55.623 In this grant program, your project budget can request a 232 00:14:55.623 --> 00:15:00.400 minimum of 100,000 to a maximum of 500,000 in federal funds. 233 00:15:00.920 --> 00:15:04.701 Keep your budget aligned to the scope and scale of your project 234 00:15:04.701 --> 00:15:08.070 and include all costs necessary to complete the proposed 235 00:15:08.070 --> 00:15:08.720 activities. 236 00:15:10.440 --> 00:15:14.124 And in this program all project budgets are required to have at 237 00:15:14.124 --> 00:15:16.600 least a one to one non federal cost share. 238 00:15:17.280 --> 00:15:20.320 Now here are some examples to illustrate that point. 239 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:24.607 So if your total project budget was 200,000, you would be able 240 00:15:24.607 --> 00:15:28.758 to request 100,000 in federal funds and provide a cost share 241 00:15:28.758 --> 00:15:30.120 of at least 100,000. 242 00:15:31.440 --> 00:15:34.640 Now let's say your total project budget was 500,000. 243 00:15:34.640 --> 00:15:39.164 Then you would be able to request 250 in federal funds and 244 00:15:39.164 --> 00:15:43.920 cost share another 250 for a total project budget of 500,000. 245 00:15:45.760 --> 00:15:50.089 Now if your total project budget was $1,000,000, then you'd be 246 00:15:50.089 --> 00:15:54.143 able to request 500,000 in federal grant funds and provide 247 00:15:54.143 --> 00:15:56.480 a cost share of at least 500,000. 248 00:15:57.280 --> 00:16:02.833 So again, the federal share, the minimum is 100 and the maximum 249 00:16:02.833 --> 00:16:07.520 is 500,000 and cost share can take a number of forms. 250 00:16:07.760 --> 00:16:12.304 Among them are cash, staff time, volunteer time, third party 251 00:16:12.304 --> 00:16:16.551 contribution, grants from other sources and support from 252 00:16:16.551 --> 00:16:19.680 foundations or state or local government. 253 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:23.920 Cost share cannot come from other federal sources. 254 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:31.763 In this section, we will introduce the components of a 21 255 00:16:31.763 --> 00:16:36.026 MP grant application and provide an overview about the Required, 256 00:16:36.026 --> 00:16:39.240 Conditionally Required and Supporting documents. 257 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:45.110 The 21 MP Notice of Funding Opportunity includes a complete 258 00:16:45.110 --> 00:16:48.800 list of all the application components and most of these are 259 00:16:48.800 --> 00:16:52.733 created by applicants and saved as APDF for uploading as part of 260 00:16:52.733 --> 00:16:55.939 your application package and grants.gov The table of 261 00:16:55.939 --> 00:16:59.630 application components list which application components are 262 00:16:59.630 --> 00:17:03.200 required as well as those that are conditionally required. 263 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:07.472 For example, some components are included in the application 264 00:17:07.472 --> 00:17:10.547 depending on the type of applicant or the type of 265 00:17:10.547 --> 00:17:11.040 project. 266 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:18.862 These are the required documents and all applications must 267 00:17:18.862 --> 00:17:21.320 include the documents listed here. 268 00:17:21.600 --> 00:17:25.309 Omission of even just one might result in your applications 269 00:17:25.309 --> 00:17:26.360 reject rejection. 270 00:17:27.280 --> 00:17:30.266 Also important to note, there is a 7 page limit for the 271 00:17:30.266 --> 00:17:30.800 narrative. 272 00:17:31.360 --> 00:17:34.300 If you exceed the page limit specified in the Notice of 273 00:17:34.300 --> 00:17:37.399 Funding Opportunity, we must remove the extras before your 274 00:17:37.399 --> 00:17:39.080 application goes out for review. 275 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:43.443 So make sure your content fits into the page limits specified 276 00:17:43.443 --> 00:17:46.903 and make sure the number of pages holds when you convert 277 00:17:46.903 --> 00:17:48.359 your documents to a PDF. 278 00:17:50.560 --> 00:17:53.265 The second category of application components is that 279 00:17:53.265 --> 00:17:55.120 of Conditionally required documents. 280 00:17:55.520 --> 00:18:00.346 Some applications must include 1-2 or even all of these, and so 281 00:18:00.346 --> 00:18:04.720 it's your job to figure out which are required for yours. 282 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:08.881 If you're applying as a nonprofit, you must include your 283 00:18:08.881 --> 00:18:12.627 proof of nonprofit status, such as your IRS determination 284 00:18:12.627 --> 00:18:13.079 letter. 285 00:18:13.840 --> 00:18:17.143 If you're using a federally negotiated indirect cost rate in 286 00:18:17.143 --> 00:18:20.176 your budget, you must include a copy of your final rate 287 00:18:20.176 --> 00:18:22.560 agreement and if you will, create a digital 288 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:26.992 If you were are creating digital products during the course of 289 00:18:26.992 --> 00:18:30.704 your project, then you must complete and submit a Digital 290 00:18:30.704 --> 00:18:31.600 products plan. 291 00:18:33.120 --> 00:18:36.669 And just like the required documents, if you forget one of 292 00:18:36.669 --> 00:18:40.098 these or omit one might result in your application being 293 00:18:40.098 --> 00:18:40.640 rejected. 294 00:18:41.040 --> 00:18:45.369 So Please note that the term digital product includes any 295 00:18:45.369 --> 00:18:49.848 digitized and born digital content, resources or assets and 296 00:18:49.848 --> 00:18:50.520 software. 297 00:18:50.840 --> 00:18:54.507 And so, if you're creating any of these types of materials, you 298 00:18:54.507 --> 00:18:57.200 should include the form with your application. 299 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:03.801 The third group of application components is supporting 300 00:19:03.801 --> 00:19:04.280 documents. 301 00:19:06.040 --> 00:19:07.800 Supporting documents are optional. 302 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:12.411 You may submit some or none, including only the, but just 303 00:19:12.411 --> 00:19:16.840 include only those items that will supplement your proposal. 304 00:19:17.840 --> 00:19:20.480 This is not the place to introduce brand new information. 305 00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:24.208 Rather, it's an opportunity to provide documents that support 306 00:19:24.208 --> 00:19:27.892 your project justification and your work plan and your results, 307 00:19:27.892 --> 00:19:30.080 as well as your budget justification. 308 00:19:31.640 --> 00:19:35.303 For example, have you identified a partner or consultant whose 309 00:19:35.303 --> 00:19:37.920 involvement is key to the project's success? 310 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:43.050 Well, if so, a letter of support or commitment would go a long 311 00:19:43.050 --> 00:19:47.143 way to reassuring reviewers that they are on board and the 312 00:19:47.143 --> 00:19:48.600 project will succeed. 313 00:19:50.040 --> 00:19:53.889 Now, we recommend that you be respectful of your reviewers 314 00:19:53.889 --> 00:19:57.935 time and avoid any temptation to include hundreds of pages of 315 00:19:57.935 --> 00:19:59.240 extraneous material. 316 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:03.840 So being judicious really does help and work to your benefit. 317 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:10.525 It's important to include what's helpful and directly relevant to 318 00:20:10.525 --> 00:20:12.480 your project and stop there. 319 00:20:15.520 --> 00:20:19.299 In the following sections of this presentation, we will focus 320 00:20:19.299 --> 00:20:23.200 on these application components, the narrative, and the budget. 321 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:26.864 Go to the Notice of Funding Opportunity for complete 322 00:20:26.864 --> 00:20:29.836 instructions on how to prepare and complete all of the 323 00:20:29.836 --> 00:20:31.080 application components. 324 00:20:35.800 --> 00:20:39.278 In this section, we'll go over the questions you'll need to 325 00:20:39.278 --> 00:20:43.046 answer in your project narrative and offer details on the review 326 00:20:43.046 --> 00:20:46.641 criteria associated with each section, project justification, 327 00:20:46.641 --> 00:20:48.959 project work plan, and project results. 328 00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:53.840 Let's talk about the narrative of your proposal. 329 00:20:53.840 --> 00:20:57.324 You have 7 pages to cover 3 very important issues, and the Notice 330 00:20:57.324 --> 00:21:00.545 of Funding Opportunity provides lengthy guidance on what the 331 00:21:00.545 --> 00:21:01.760 narrative should cover. 332 00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:05.395 First is the project justification, and in this 333 00:21:05.395 --> 00:21:08.827 section will ask you to tell us which program goal and 334 00:21:08.827 --> 00:21:11.760 associated objectives you're going to address. 335 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:14.560 What need, problem, or challenge you're going to address? 336 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:18.065 Who's the target group for your project and how have they been 337 00:21:18.065 --> 00:21:18.480 involved? 338 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:22.600 Who are the beneficiaries for this project, and how will the 339 00:21:22.600 --> 00:21:25.040 museum field benefit from your project? 340 00:21:28.560 --> 00:21:31.956 Now, in Section E of the Notice of Funding Opportunity, under 341 00:21:31.956 --> 00:21:35.133 Review criteria, you'll find a list of the questions that 342 00:21:35.133 --> 00:21:38.640 reviewers are asked to consider when they review your proposal. 343 00:21:39.360 --> 00:21:42.540 It's a good idea to refer to these as you craft your 344 00:21:42.540 --> 00:21:46.380 narrative to be certain that you are providing reviewers clear, 345 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:49.980 solid information, and that you'll see that they correspond 346 00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:53.640 fairly directly with the prompts you are given to write your 347 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:54.240 narrative. 348 00:21:55.120 --> 00:21:58.320 Reviewers will want to see how your project connects to the 349 00:21:58.320 --> 00:21:59.760 goals of the 21 MP program. 350 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:03.340 They want to understand how relevant data or best practice 351 00:22:03.340 --> 00:22:06.520 has been used to describe the need, problem, or challenge. 352 00:22:07.120 --> 00:22:10.317 And we want to know that you have appropriately identified 353 00:22:10.317 --> 00:22:13.188 the target group and beneficiaries for your proposed 354 00:22:13.188 --> 00:22:16.169 project and how stakeholders have been involved in the 355 00:22:16.169 --> 00:22:18.120 planning and design of the project. 356 00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:24.584 Now, one of the prompts in the project justification section of 357 00:22:24.584 --> 00:22:27.974 the narrative is to is the identification of the need, 358 00:22:27.974 --> 00:22:31.796 problem, or challenge that your project addresses, and it's a 359 00:22:31.796 --> 00:22:34.200 foundational part of your application. 360 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:37.814 So keep these points in mind that the federal government 361 00:22:37.814 --> 00:22:41.619 wants to invest in in something that's going to get better, 362 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:41.999 right? 363 00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:45.964 Something's going to improve with the actions taken in the 364 00:22:45.964 --> 00:22:46.360 grant. 365 00:22:47.040 --> 00:22:50.329 So as you define your need, problem or challenge, articulate 366 00:22:50.329 --> 00:22:53.834 what will get better as a result of your project as precisely as 367 00:22:53.834 --> 00:22:54.320 possible. 368 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:57.840 Will someone learn something or develop a skill? 369 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:59.120 What's going to happen? 370 00:23:01.120 --> 00:23:05.697 You want to identify why it is important that this particular 371 00:23:05.697 --> 00:23:10.275 change happens and hone your problem definition carefully and 372 00:23:10.275 --> 00:23:15.148 use clear and succinct terms and include data that's will support 373 00:23:15.148 --> 00:23:16.920 your problem definition. 374 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:28.020 Next in the project work plan is where we talk about The Who, 375 00:23:28.020 --> 00:23:36.299 what, when and how, who will do what activities, when and using 376 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:38.239 what resources. 377 00:23:39.120 --> 00:23:41.610 You should explain how you will track your progress towards 378 00:23:41.610 --> 00:23:44.309 achieving your results and what you'll do if you need to correct 379 00:23:44.309 --> 00:23:44.600 course. 380 00:23:45.040 --> 00:23:48.729 We also asked you to think about risks that are inherent in your 381 00:23:48.729 --> 00:23:52.022 particular project and tell us how you've taken that into 382 00:23:52.022 --> 00:23:55.485 account and your planning, And I'll talk about that again in 383 00:23:55.485 --> 00:23:56.280 another slide. 384 00:23:56.280 --> 00:24:00.555 And again, the reviewers are given this list of questions in 385 00:24:00.555 --> 00:24:03.920 Section E of the Notice of Funding Opportunity. 386 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:08.391 You'll see this this list repeated, and reviewers are 387 00:24:08.391 --> 00:24:13.691 asked to consider what when they review your proposal is to see 388 00:24:13.691 --> 00:24:18.079 if you provided effective and substantive responses. 389 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:21.820 So, for example, they want to know how your proposed 390 00:24:21.820 --> 00:24:25.240 activities are informed by relevant theory and practice. 391 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:29.586 They want to know that you've cleared, clearly stated, the 392 00:24:29.586 --> 00:24:32.259 goals, assumptions, and potential risks that have been 393 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.959 formed the design of your project. 394 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:39.188 They want to know that you've discussed how the consultants 395 00:24:39.188 --> 00:24:43.345 and service providers have the skills necessary to get the 396 00:24:43.345 --> 00:24:47.010 results you want from your project, and that you've 397 00:24:47.010 --> 00:24:51.379 allocated adequate staff, time and resources to be successful 398 00:24:51.379 --> 00:24:52.999 in completing the work. 399 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:58.655 We also want to know that you've developed a method for tracking 400 00:24:58.655 --> 00:25:01.080 your progress and making changes when necessary. 401 00:25:04.760 --> 00:25:08.532 Now, I mentioned risks earlier, and we do ask you to think about 402 00:25:08.532 --> 00:25:12.246 risks that are inherent in your particular project and if there 403 00:25:12.246 --> 00:25:15.959 are risks, how you've taken that into account of your planning. 404 00:25:17.360 --> 00:25:20.180 There's no checklist of risks, but every project probably has 405 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:22.910 them, and the best proposals will show that you're aware of 406 00:25:22.910 --> 00:25:25.639 them and have thought through a plan for dealing with them. 407 00:25:26.320 --> 00:25:30.383 So look at your activities and think about what could go wrong, 408 00:25:30.383 --> 00:25:34.447 and focus on the ones where your experience tells you yes, that 409 00:25:34.447 --> 00:25:38.511 could happen, you know and think through some steps and how you 410 00:25:38.511 --> 00:25:39.399 would respond. 411 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:45.171 We know things sometimes go differently than expected, and 412 00:25:45.171 --> 00:25:49.360 we just want you to be prepared by identifying some options. 413 00:25:49.520 --> 00:25:51.840 So here's in an example or two. 414 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:56.572 So a project may be dependent upon fundraising to generate the 415 00:25:56.572 --> 00:26:00.080 cost share, but it's not completed by the time the 416 00:26:00.080 --> 00:26:01.800 application is submitted. 417 00:26:01.800 --> 00:26:05.102 So what will the institution do if that money is not available 418 00:26:05.102 --> 00:26:07.200 by the time the project gets under way? 419 00:26:07.880 --> 00:26:11.583 Or maybe a project is going to do a listening session with 420 00:26:11.583 --> 00:26:11.960 staff? 421 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:16.151 And what if staff feedback suggests different needs or 422 00:26:16.151 --> 00:26:20.648 issues or challenges as a priority for training or project 423 00:26:20.648 --> 00:26:23.240 may be structured around interns? 424 00:26:23.360 --> 00:26:26.280 And what will happen if one or more interns drops out? 425 00:26:26.520 --> 00:26:28.360 How do you replace the mid project? 426 00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:35.091 Or maybe you have a key partner or consultant and they are no 427 00:26:35.091 --> 00:26:36.520 longer available. 428 00:26:36.520 --> 00:26:37.160 What do you do? 429 00:26:38.280 --> 00:26:42.086 These are just a few examples, and again, we want you to just 430 00:26:42.086 --> 00:26:45.708 think through what is likely to happen with your potential 431 00:26:45.708 --> 00:26:46.200 project. 432 00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:51.355 The third section of your narrative should be devoted to 433 00:26:51.355 --> 00:26:54.245 articulating your project's intended results, and this 434 00:26:54.245 --> 00:26:57.345 section is your chance to convince the reviewers that your 435 00:26:57.345 --> 00:26:59.920 project will result in something getting better. 436 00:27:00.360 --> 00:27:03.469 The need or problem you identified in your project 437 00:27:03.469 --> 00:27:06.944 justification will be addressed directly, and it will be 438 00:27:06.944 --> 00:27:09.200 diminished or eliminated altogether. 439 00:27:09.760 --> 00:27:14.077 So we asked you to tell us what data you will collect and report 440 00:27:14.077 --> 00:27:17.000 in order to measure your project's success. 441 00:27:17.560 --> 00:27:21.122 And if your project's going to generate some tangible product, 442 00:27:21.122 --> 00:27:24.571 you want to give you the chance to describe that product and 443 00:27:24.571 --> 00:27:27.851 make the case that it's going to be useful to your target 444 00:27:27.851 --> 00:27:28.360 audience. 445 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:32.782 And last but not least, we asked you to tell us how you will 446 00:27:32.782 --> 00:27:35.615 sustain the benefit of the project and what's going to 447 00:27:35.615 --> 00:27:36.800 happen after the grant. 448 00:27:36.800 --> 00:27:37.280 Is over. 449 00:27:40.040 --> 00:27:46.634 Again, the reviewers are going to be looking for this kind of 450 00:27:46.634 --> 00:27:52.696 to answer these kinds of questions when they look at the 451 00:27:52.696 --> 00:27:53.760 narrative. 452 00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:57.365 These are also found in Section E of the Notice of Funding 453 00:27:57.365 --> 00:27:57.920 Opportunity. 454 00:27:59.080 --> 00:28:02.621 Basically, all of the results should tie back to your need, 455 00:28:02.621 --> 00:28:03.920 problem, or challenge. 456 00:28:06.080 --> 00:28:09.728 We often hear, though that defining intended results and 457 00:28:09.728 --> 00:28:12.800 success measures is challenging for applicants. 458 00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:17.080 So it's worth spending a moment here to talk about results. 459 00:28:18.120 --> 00:28:20.833 So let's think back to the question we referenced a few 460 00:28:20.833 --> 00:28:23.836 slides ago when we talked about defining the need, problem or 461 00:28:23.836 --> 00:28:25.920 challenge that your project is addressing. 462 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:30.299 And if you said someone will learn something, how will you 463 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:30.960 know that? 464 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:35.680 And maybe you said you want to advance equity in the museum 465 00:28:35.680 --> 00:28:38.160 field, Well, how will that be measured? 466 00:28:39.360 --> 00:28:43.763 The focus on results and measuring success in meaningful 467 00:28:43.763 --> 00:28:45.000 ways is not new. 468 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:48.974 And there's been a tremendous amount of work done on ways to 469 00:28:48.974 --> 00:28:52.948 measure success and measure results For you as an applicant, 470 00:28:52.948 --> 00:28:56.858 though, we encourage you to consider using a logic model or 471 00:28:56.858 --> 00:29:00.637 an outcome Outcomes based Evaluation tool to explain your 472 00:29:00.637 --> 00:29:03.960 intended results and your plan for achieving them. 473 00:29:08.080 --> 00:29:11.376 So to recap, your narrative has three sections, a project 474 00:29:11.376 --> 00:29:14.842 justification, a project Work plan, and Project Results, and 475 00:29:14.842 --> 00:29:16.320 you have 7 pages for that. 476 00:29:17.360 --> 00:29:22.360 The sections are all equally important, right? 477 00:29:22.360 --> 00:29:27.088 Clearly address what we asked you to address in the questions, 478 00:29:27.088 --> 00:29:30.240 and keep an eye on those review criteria. 479 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:35.420 We're telling you here exactly what the reviewers will look 480 00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:38.440 for, so make it easy for them to find it and understand it. 481 00:29:42.520 --> 00:29:46.292 In this section we will provide information on what to include 482 00:29:46.292 --> 00:29:50.065 in your project budget, budget justification, and provide some 483 00:29:50.065 --> 00:29:52.760 examples of allowable and unallowable costs. 484 00:29:55.800 --> 00:29:58.240 An important component of your application is the budget. 485 00:29:58.640 --> 00:30:01.627 This is the part of the application where you specify 486 00:30:01.627 --> 00:30:04.560 all the costs associated with your proposed project. 487 00:30:05.400 --> 00:30:09.153 The budget consists of two required components, the IMLS 488 00:30:09.153 --> 00:30:11.920 budget form and the budget justification. 489 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:15.243 The budget form is a fillable PDF that accommodates up to 490 00:30:15.243 --> 00:30:17.960 three years of project activities and expenses. 491 00:30:18.520 --> 00:30:22.110 The budget should include the project cost that will be 492 00:30:22.110 --> 00:30:26.149 charged to grant funds as well as those that will be supported 493 00:30:26.149 --> 00:30:27.560 by cost share in kind. 494 00:30:27.560 --> 00:30:32.076 Contributions to cost share may include the value of services 495 00:30:32.076 --> 00:30:36.666 such as staff time, volunteer or consultant time, or equipment 496 00:30:36.666 --> 00:30:41.037 donated to the project between the authorized start and end 497 00:30:41.037 --> 00:30:42.640 dates of your project. 498 00:30:43.520 --> 00:30:48.090 All the items listed, whether supported by grant funds or cost 499 00:30:48.090 --> 00:30:52.298 share, must be necessary to accomplish project objectives 500 00:30:52.298 --> 00:30:55.998 allowable according to the applicable federal cost 501 00:30:55.998 --> 00:31:00.351 principles, auditable, and incurred during the award period 502 00:31:00.351 --> 00:31:01.440 of performance. 503 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:06.400 The budget form can be downloaded directly from the 504 00:31:06.400 --> 00:31:07.200 IMLS website. 505 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:13.724 As you develop your budget, keep in mind that there are certain 506 00:31:13.724 --> 00:31:16.991 costs that are either allowable or unallowable according to 507 00:31:16.991 --> 00:31:18.080 federal regulations. 508 00:31:18.560 --> 00:31:22.467 The allowability of a cost item for all federal grants are 509 00:31:22.467 --> 00:31:26.705 specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, sometime referred 510 00:31:26.705 --> 00:31:28.560 to as two CFR 200 for short. 511 00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:33.515 And using the two CFR 200 as a basis, we've developed a short 512 00:31:33.515 --> 00:31:36.816 list of allowable costs that are most commonly seen in grant 513 00:31:36.816 --> 00:31:37.520 applications. 514 00:31:37.520 --> 00:31:40.371 The Notice of Funding Opportunity includes this 515 00:31:40.371 --> 00:31:43.994 partial list of the most common examples, and we've provided 516 00:31:43.994 --> 00:31:45.480 this here as a reference. 517 00:31:46.080 --> 00:31:50.065 These costs may be part of what you asked IMLS to pay for with 518 00:31:50.065 --> 00:31:53.860 federal funds or what you will pay for as part of your cost 519 00:31:53.860 --> 00:31:54.240 share. 520 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:58.681 The rules of allowability apply equally to grant funds and cost 521 00:31:58.681 --> 00:32:02.420 share, and when completing your project budget, be sure to check 522 00:32:02.420 --> 00:32:05.872 that all the costs you include, whether grant funds or cost 523 00:32:05.872 --> 00:32:07.080 share, are allowable. 524 00:32:09.840 --> 00:32:13.866 There's also some costs which are unallowable according to the 525 00:32:13.866 --> 00:32:16.040 federal regulations into CFR 200. 526 00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:20.294 The notice of Funding Opportunity also provides an 527 00:32:20.294 --> 00:32:24.408 abbreviated list of a lot unallowable costs, and which 528 00:32:24.408 --> 00:32:27.399 we've shown here as well on this slide. 529 00:32:28.520 --> 00:32:31.852 Now, allowable costs may not be part of what you asked by molest 530 00:32:31.852 --> 00:32:35.236 to pay for, nor can they be part of what you will pay for in your 531 00:32:35.236 --> 00:32:35.800 cost share. 532 00:32:36.280 --> 00:32:40.000 Unallowable expenses should not be anywhere in your proposal. 533 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:44.611 So as you work through your application, compare your list 534 00:32:44.611 --> 00:32:47.978 of proposed expenses against the list of allowable and 535 00:32:47.978 --> 00:32:49.080 unallowable costs. 536 00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:53.431 And after you've had a look at that, if you have questions, 537 00:32:53.431 --> 00:32:56.717 specific questions about the allowability of a cost, you can 538 00:32:56.717 --> 00:33:00.110 contact us and we'll be happy to talk you through the concerns 539 00:33:00.110 --> 00:33:01.080 that you may have. 540 00:33:04.520 --> 00:33:07.971 In addition to the IMOS budget form, you'll also prepare a 541 00:33:07.971 --> 00:33:09.200 budget justification. 542 00:33:09.520 --> 00:33:13.085 This is an opportunity to provide in more detailed 543 00:33:13.085 --> 00:33:17.700 narrative format, an explanation or justification for the project 544 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:18.120 costs. 545 00:33:20.280 --> 00:33:24.253 The budget justification should be written to follow the cost 546 00:33:24.253 --> 00:33:26.560 categories in the IMLS budget form. 547 00:33:27.680 --> 00:33:31.470 In the justification, you will identify each expense and show 548 00:33:31.470 --> 00:33:35.200 the method of cost computation used to determine each dollar 549 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:38.685 amount, including any that you may have consolidated and 550 00:33:38.685 --> 00:33:40.520 summarized on the budget form. 551 00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:43.280 In other words, this is the place to show your math. 552 00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:47.890 So for example, in the Salaries and Wages section, you should 553 00:33:47.890 --> 00:33:51.530 identify each person whose salaries or wages will be paid 554 00:33:51.530 --> 00:33:54.480 with IMLS funds or contributed and cost share. 555 00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:56.120 Provide their names. 556 00:33:56.320 --> 00:33:57.920 Describe their role in the project. 557 00:33:58.800 --> 00:34:02.345 Document the method of cost computation by including the 558 00:34:02.345 --> 00:34:06.014 base salary or wages for each person and the percentage of 559 00:34:06.014 --> 00:34:09.560 time each person is allocated to the project activities. 560 00:34:10.680 --> 00:34:13.887 This may be shown as a percentage of time, number of 561 00:34:13.887 --> 00:34:15.400 days, or number of hours. 562 00:34:17.640 --> 00:34:21.009 If cost share is being provided by unpaid volunteers, explain 563 00:34:21.009 --> 00:34:24.215 how you arrived at the dollar amount used to represent the 564 00:34:24.215 --> 00:34:25.520 value of their services. 565 00:34:28.680 --> 00:34:31.668 Likewise, in the section for supplies, materials, and 566 00:34:31.668 --> 00:34:34.990 equipment, you should list each type of supply, material or 567 00:34:34.990 --> 00:34:38.145 equipment you propose to purchase and provide or provide 568 00:34:38.145 --> 00:34:38.920 as cost share. 569 00:34:39.400 --> 00:34:43.372 Now detail the number and unit cost for each item and explain 570 00:34:43.372 --> 00:34:46.961 how you arrived at the dollar amounts, and you can also 571 00:34:46.961 --> 00:34:50.870 provide vendor quotes or price lists as supporting documents 572 00:34:50.870 --> 00:34:52.279 with your application. 573 00:34:55.320 --> 00:34:58.756 In the final section of our presentation, we offer some 574 00:34:58.756 --> 00:35:00.720 application tips and next steps. 575 00:35:03.400 --> 00:35:06.812 We can only make grants to eligible applicants that submit 576 00:35:06.812 --> 00:35:10.399 complete applications, including attachments on or before the 577 00:35:10.399 --> 00:35:10.920 deadline. 578 00:35:12.480 --> 00:35:14.320 So here are some tips to help you do that. 579 00:35:15.040 --> 00:35:16.600 Start the process early. 580 00:35:17.720 --> 00:35:20.360 By watching this video, you're off to a good start. 581 00:35:21.560 --> 00:35:24.400 You should also become familiar with grants.gov's workspace. 582 00:35:24.600 --> 00:35:28.187 There's many good features, such as the opportunity to 583 00:35:28.187 --> 00:35:31.905 collaborate with others in creating your application, as 584 00:35:31.905 --> 00:35:35.558 well as a validation process that allows you to correct 585 00:35:35.558 --> 00:35:37.320 errors prior to submission. 586 00:35:38.400 --> 00:35:43.268 Tutorials are available on grants.gov Be sure your 587 00:35:43.268 --> 00:35:45.560 application is complete. 588 00:35:46.040 --> 00:35:49.026 Check it against the table of application components in the 589 00:35:49.026 --> 00:35:50.520 Notice of Funding Opportunity. 590 00:35:53.120 --> 00:35:56.790 You also want to make sure that all application components are 591 00:35:56.790 --> 00:36:00.520 in the proper format and follow the correct naming conventions. 592 00:36:02.360 --> 00:36:06.727 And finally, submit your grants, your application, and grants.gov 593 00:36:06.727 --> 00:36:11.028 well before the deadline so you can correct any errors and avoid 594 00:36:11.028 --> 00:36:13.080 any issues before the deadline. 595 00:36:15.440 --> 00:36:19.146 Now, it's important to get your application submitted through 596 00:36:19.146 --> 00:36:21.000 grants.gov before the deadline. 597 00:36:21.080 --> 00:36:24.665 We don't accept any applications by e-mail or mail or regular 598 00:36:24.665 --> 00:36:25.880 mail for that matter. 599 00:36:25.880 --> 00:36:30.428 And in order to submit your application at grants.gov, you 600 00:36:30.428 --> 00:36:35.132 must have an active sam.gov registration and a unique entity 601 00:36:35.132 --> 00:36:36.520 identifier or UEI. 602 00:36:37.680 --> 00:36:40.806 Make sure your registrations for both of these sites are complete 603 00:36:40.806 --> 00:36:43.791 and your accounts are active, and that any necessary passwords 604 00:36:43.791 --> 00:36:44.360 are current. 605 00:36:45.000 --> 00:36:48.732 These registrations do expire periodically, so do do not wait 606 00:36:48.732 --> 00:36:52.284 until it's time to hit the submit button to check on them, 607 00:36:52.284 --> 00:36:56.137 and you should coordinate with any other staff members, such as 608 00:36:56.137 --> 00:36:59.810 your authorized organization representative who may hold the 609 00:36:59.810 --> 00:37:02.640 accounts and passwords you need to submit now. 610 00:37:02.640 --> 00:37:05.984 Both sam.gov and grants.gov websites have their own help 611 00:37:05.984 --> 00:37:09.094 desks and help features and FAQs, so if you run into 612 00:37:09.094 --> 00:37:12.791 technical issues with either of these sites, reach out to them 613 00:37:12.791 --> 00:37:13.320 directly. 614 00:37:18.600 --> 00:37:21.476 There are many components that make up the entire application 615 00:37:21.476 --> 00:37:24.352 and narrative, and the narrative is an essential and critical 616 00:37:24.352 --> 00:37:25.280 part of the package. 617 00:37:25.880 --> 00:37:28.697 So remember that the peer reviewers, who are museum 618 00:37:28.697 --> 00:37:32.003 professionals from all types of museums, will be selected by 619 00:37:32.003 --> 00:37:34.983 IMLS to read each application and provide constructive 620 00:37:34.983 --> 00:37:38.072 comments on the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed 621 00:37:38.072 --> 00:37:38.560 projects. 622 00:37:39.160 --> 00:37:42.267 They also base their reviews only on the information 623 00:37:42.267 --> 00:37:46.078 contained in the application, so don't assume that a reviewer or 624 00:37:46.078 --> 00:37:49.596 IMLS will know something about your museum or your proposed 625 00:37:49.596 --> 00:37:52.880 project unless you tell us about it in the application. 626 00:37:53.480 --> 00:37:56.179 So to help make sure your narrative is as clear and 627 00:37:56.179 --> 00:37:58.360 complete as possible, here are some tips. 628 00:37:59.600 --> 00:38:02.214 Revisit the Notice of Funding Opportunity and follow the 629 00:38:02.214 --> 00:38:03.040 narrative outline. 630 00:38:04.840 --> 00:38:07.637 Use headings and subheadings or numbered sections in your 631 00:38:07.637 --> 00:38:10.000 narrative to make it easy for reviewers to read. 632 00:38:11.560 --> 00:38:14.397 Be sure to consider the review criteria associated with each 633 00:38:14.397 --> 00:38:15.560 section of the narrative. 634 00:38:16.640 --> 00:38:20.400 Avoid acronyms, generalities, and jargon. 635 00:38:20.920 --> 00:38:24.551 Remember, the people reviewing your application are your peers, 636 00:38:24.551 --> 00:38:27.841 but they may not be totally familiar with your particular 637 00:38:27.841 --> 00:38:31.529 shorthand or jargon, so make it easy for them to understand what 638 00:38:31.529 --> 00:38:32.039 you mean. 639 00:38:32.960 --> 00:38:37.181 And one advantage to starting your application early is that 640 00:38:37.181 --> 00:38:40.919 you can ask a colleague or someone with fresh eyes to 641 00:38:40.919 --> 00:38:43.480 review everything before you submit. 642 00:38:44.560 --> 00:38:47.580 Ask them to act like a reviewer, seeing it for the first time, 643 00:38:47.580 --> 00:38:50.600 and maybe they'll get some good you'll get some good feedback. 644 00:38:54.520 --> 00:38:58.595 Now here are a few final important notes relating to 21 645 00:38:58.595 --> 00:38:59.760 MP applications. 646 00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:05.727 Applications must be received through grants.gov by 11:59 PM 647 00:39:05.727 --> 00:39:08.480 Eastern Time on March 1st, 2024. 648 00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:12.373 Your application will be time stamped by the grants.gov 649 00:39:12.373 --> 00:39:12.800 system. 650 00:39:13.920 --> 00:39:17.391 After the application deadline, IMLS staff will review your 651 00:39:17.391 --> 00:39:20.978 application for completeness and eligibility, and you'll hear 652 00:39:20.978 --> 00:39:23.640 from us via e-mail if there are any problems. 653 00:39:24.280 --> 00:39:28.680 Next, we will select experienced and knowledgeable peer reviewers 654 00:39:28.680 --> 00:39:32.546 to read your applications and provide scores and comments 655 00:39:32.546 --> 00:39:35.880 based on the criteria outlined in the Know Phone. 656 00:39:36.920 --> 00:39:40.611 IMLS staff will examine the budget, your financials, and 657 00:39:40.611 --> 00:39:43.720 your track record with past and current grants. 658 00:39:44.920 --> 00:39:49.375 We then prepared materials for the IMLS Deputy Director for 659 00:39:49.375 --> 00:39:54.128 Museums and the IMLS Director, and by law, the IMLS Director is 660 00:39:54.128 --> 00:39:58.733 charged with the authority and great responsibility of making 661 00:39:58.733 --> 00:40:03.412 final award decisions, and in early July we will notify you by 662 00:40:03.412 --> 00:40:05.640 e-mail of the award decisions. 663 00:40:06.120 --> 00:40:08.327 And provide the scores and comments created by the 664 00:40:08.327 --> 00:40:08.760 reviewers. 665 00:40:10.040 --> 00:40:14.033 All 21 MP projects must be scheduled to start on the first 666 00:40:14.033 --> 00:40:15.320 day of August 2024. 667 00:40:18.640 --> 00:40:22.546 Now, in conclusion, as you read through the Nofo and repair your 668 00:40:22.546 --> 00:40:25.851 application, additional questions may arise before the 669 00:40:25.851 --> 00:40:29.336 deadline and we can help you with learning more about the 670 00:40:29.336 --> 00:40:31.440 program or other programs at IMLS. 671 00:40:32.120 --> 00:40:35.612 To address any specific concerns you may have about the 672 00:40:35.612 --> 00:40:39.230 application components and help you understand the review 673 00:40:39.230 --> 00:40:42.785 process, you may contact IMLS Program staff by e-mail or 674 00:40:42.785 --> 00:40:43.160 phone. 675 00:40:43.160 --> 00:40:46.817 Contact information is listed on the Grant program landing page 676 00:40:46.817 --> 00:40:47.960 on the IMLS website. 677 00:40:48.680 --> 00:40:51.622 You may also schedule a counseling call to meet directly 678 00:40:51.622 --> 00:40:54.925 with program staff and use the links found on the Grant Program 679 00:40:54.925 --> 00:40:57.558 landing page to find an available time slot on our 680 00:40:57.558 --> 00:41:00.965 calendar and you'll then receive an e-mail with a calendar invite 681 00:41:00.965 --> 00:41:02.720 and Microsoft Teams meeting link. 682 00:41:04.000 --> 00:41:08.465 Again, I want to thank you for listening to our presentation 683 00:41:08.465 --> 00:41:13.076 and wish you the best of luck in preparing and submitting your 684 00:41:13.076 --> 00:41:14.760 IMLS grant application.