Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
for
Minnesota Department of Education Grant Opportunities
Q. May applications be submitted electronically? On CD?
A. No, they must be submitted in hardcopy form (and the original plus required number of copies must be submitted by the due date and time as indicated on the Grant Opportunity).
Q. May the application be handwritten?
A. It is preferred that the application be typed for legibility purposes.
Q. The various narrative forms have page limits. If I do not use the entire page limit for a section can I increase the number of pages in another section?
A. The page limits (maximum) are set for the purpose of consistency. You should not exceed the page limits.
Q. May we include charts or forms in the text of narrative sections of the application?
A. Yes, but be aware that if selected, you may be required to send the application electronically and the information may not transfer in the format in which you intended.
Q. Are we allowed to type directly into the downloaded forms, print out, and submit them as the application?
A. Yes. (Please read and follow directions carefully.)
Q. The Applicant Accounting and Financial Management Questionnaire form is listed on the Application Form Checklist. Is it required?
A. It depends on your program. Please read the grant opportunity instructions and follow directions carefully. If you are required to submit the form, you will need to provide the required documentation.
Q. In the Assurances section of the grant opportunity, reference is made to turning in “certifications” with the signed Agreement to Comply with Assurances form. What certifications are required?
A. The certification types required in your application are stated in the Assurances Section. Any supporting documentation required related to Agreement to Comply with Assurances form must be submitted along with application.
Q. Can I submit an application after the due date and time? What are the requirements for application submission?
A. All applications must be completed and submitted per the directions/instructions provided in the Grant Opportunity. Applications by courier or personally delivered to the Department of Education must be brought to the main lobby by date and time indicated. The receptionist will date/time stamp applications as they are delivered. Applications mailed or sent through a delivery service such as UPS must be postmarked or dated.
Q. On the Agreement to Comply with Assurances, are we supposed to list the site(s) when the work will be done in connection with this specific award opportunity?
A. List the main address of the applicant agency on the Agreement to Comply with Assurances form.
Q. May I mail in my grant application?
A. Yes, as long as it arrives at MDE by the time and due date published in the grant opportunity materials.
Q. What happens if my grant application is late because of traffic?
A. Allow plenty of time so that you and your proposal arrive safely and on time. Late proposals are not accepted.
Q. May I fax or email my grant application?
A. No. Faxed and emailed applications are not accepted.
Q. Who should sign the grant application cover sheet?
A. The person with legal authority to sign documents on behalf of the school district/organization/or agency must sign both the application cover sheet and the Agreement to Comply with Assurances form.
Q. May I apply more than one time for the same grant opportunity?
A. Read the grant opportunity instructions carefully. At times, a program is allowed to apply individually as well as part of a consortium.
Q. If my application is accepted, will it be awarded the amount that I requested?
A. At times, it is necessary to reduce the award for a grant in order to fund additional programs that meet funding priorities. At other times, funding may be reduced because unallowable costs have been identified.
Q. If my program is selected, how long will it take before I can begin work?
A. The negotiation process may require revisions and resubmissions of materials before final approval is granted. Programs may not begin work until they receive a signed Official Grant Award Notification.
Q. What can I do to improve the chances that my grant application will be selected? A. Be sure to follow the grant application instructions carefully. Provide clear and concise information. Provide enough information that people who are not program experts will understand your program. Do not use acronyms. Be careful that your budget narrative and summary include all of the same information. Provide a clear connection between the budget and the work you intend to do. Write goals and outcomes that are measurable. Include evaluation components that address how you will determine the success of your program. Include all of the documents/elements that are required.
Fml 12.6.07
MDE E-mail Updates