1

FY 2017
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Innovation and Improvement
Washington, DC
20202-5900
Application for the
Promise Neighborhoods Implementation
grant program
CFDA Number: 84.215N
Form Approved
OMB No. 1894-0006
Expiration Date: 11/30/2017
Closing Date: 09/05/2017
Table of Contents

I.Letter to the Applicant......

II.Overview...... 4

III.Overview of the Application Process......

A.Application Narrative Instructions

Instructions for Promise Neighborhoods Abstract Narrative

Instructions for Project Narrative

Suggested Point Ranges Used By Reviewers to Score Applications...... 11

Instructions for Budget Narrative...... 12

Instructions for Appendix...... 13

B.Required Forms...... 14

Standard Forms and Instructions...... 14

Application forFederal Assistance SF-424...... 15

Instructions for SF-424…………………………………………………………………………………..18

Department of Education Supplemental Information for SF 424...... 20

Supplemental Information Instructions for SF 424...... 21

Definitions for Supplemental Information for the SF 424...... 22

ED SF 524 Budget Form...... 25

Instructions for ED SF-524...... 27

Lobbying Forms(Depending on your situation one or the other is required)...... 28-29

C.Assurances and Certifications...... 30

Certification Regarding Lobbying...... 30

GEPA Statement...... 31

Assurances – Non-Construction Programs

IV.Submitting Your Completed Application

Grants.gov Submission Procedures and Tips for Applicants...... 35

Instructions for D-U-N-S Number...... 38

V.Additional Information...... 39

Executive Order 12372...... 39

Paperwork Burden Statement...... 40

VI.Checklists...... 41

Application Checklist...... 42

Applicant Eligibility Checklist (required)

 OVERVIEW

ADMINISTERING PRINCIPAL OPERATING COMPONENT:

Office of Innovation and Improvement

PROGRAM IDENTIFIERS:

Promise Neighborhoods

CFDA Number: 84.215N

Dates:

Application available: July 21, 2017

Date of Pre-Application Webinars: August 3 and August 10, 2017 at 1 PM Eastern

Deadline for Notice of Intent to Apply: August 20, 2017

Applicants are strongly encouraged to notify the U.S. Department of Education of the applicant’s intent to submit an application for funding by submitting an e-mail to the Promise Neighborhood Mailbox at:

Deadline for transmittal of applications: September 5, 2017.

Deadline for intergovernmental review:

The full text of the Promise Neighborhoods Implementation Competition can be found in the Notice Inviting Applications (NIA) on the Federal Register web site.

Overview of the Application Process

The following is a brief overview of the application process for the Promise Neighborhoods program:

1)Getting Started

a)All interested applicants should first thoroughly review the Notice Inviting Applications (the notice) for FY2017published in the Federal Register. The notice will orient applicants with the Promise Neighborhoods Program by providing the following information:

(1)Background information and purpose of the program;

(2)Eligibility requirements;

(3)Absolute, Competitive PreferencePriorities;Selection Criteria and assigned points;

(4)Key definitions; and

(5)Instructions on how to electronically submit the application.

Applicants should pay close attention to the Selection Criteria as applications will be evaluated and scored against these criteria.

2) Completing and Submitting Your Application

a)PN Abstract Narrative;

b)Project Narrative;

c)Budget Narrative;

d)Appendices

Appendix A: Applicant Eligibility Checklist;

Appendix B: Resumes of Key Personnel;

Appendix C: Memorandum of Understanding;

Appendix D: Documentation of match or waiver request for match, if applicable;

Appendix E: Nonprofit status verification, if applicable;

Appendix F: Timing of implementation, partner participation, costs and source of funds, #/% of

children served per solution, penetration rate and growth plans; and

Appendix G: Evidence and Logic Model.

e)Required Other Forms:

f) Standard Forms, and

g) Assurances and Certifications.

Each component is discussed in detail in the subsequent pages of this application package. Once the application is complete, it must be submitted electronically using the grants.gov system. A detailed discussion of grants.gov may also be found in the subsequent pages of this application package. Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this system and to submit their applications early. AllPromise Neighborhoods applicationsmust be received on or before at 4:30:00 pm Washington, D.C., time on September 5,2017.

We strongly recommend that applicants do not wait until the last day to submit the application. The time it takes to upload the narratives for the application will vary depending on a number of factors including the size of the files and the speed of the Internet connection. If an applicant tries to submit its application after 4:30:00 P.M. on the deadline date, the grants.gov system will not accept it.

Please note that U.S. Department of Education grant application deadlines are 4:30:00 P.M. Washington, DC time. Late applications will not be accepted. The Department is required to enforce the established deadline to ensure fairness to all applicants. No changes or additions to an application will be accepted after the deadline date and time.

  1. Addressing Questions

The Department will host pre-application webinars designed to help interested applicants with the application process. Interested applicants are encouraged to participate in those webinars and may also send their questions to . We are not able to respond to each email with an individual response, but we will review all questions submitted and post answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the Promise Neighborhoods Web site on an ongoing basis.Applicants and those interested in applying may also check the Promise Neighborhoods Web site for more information at

.

A.Application Narrative Instructions

There is a required Promise Neighborhood (PN) Abstract Narrative Form. Information gathered in the PN abstract form may be posted on data.ed.gov. The PNAbstract Narrative Form is web-based and can be found at:

The Promise Neighborhoods application will use the following Grants.gov Narrative Forms:

● PN Abstract Narrative Form

Project Narrative Form

Budget Narrative Form

Other Attachments Form

The Project Narrative Form is where the applicant will attach the responses to the Selection Criteria, the Absolute

Priority selected, and, if applicable, Competitive Preference Priorities (CPP). Applicants mayaddress more than one of the CPPs. Therefore, an applicant must identify in the project narrative section of its application the priority or the priorities it wishes the Department to consider for purposes of earning the competitive preference priority points.

Responses to the CPP should be properly labeled and follow the response to the Selection Criteria. Applicants should include:

A Table of Contents that includes all responses to the Selection Criteria and, if applicable,CPPApplicants are strongly encouraged to limit the project narrative to 75 pages, including responses to the CPPs.

The Budget Narrative Form is where the applicant will attach a detailed line item budget (ED 524) and a detailed

budget narrative. Applicants should not include multiple budgets for the LEA or nonprofit organization and partner(s). Only one combined budget should be submitted to represent costs for all entities involved in the

proposed project.

The Other Attachments Form is where the applicant will attach the application appendices (e.g., resumes of key personnel, memorandum of understanding, etc.).

NOTE: If an applicant has multiple documents to be attached to one of the above narrative sections (except for

Other Attachments), it is recommended that the applicant merge them into one .PDF file and upload them to the appropriate narrative.

Instructions for Promise Neighborhoods Abstract Narrative

The Promise Neighborhoods (PN) abstract form is required. It is web-based and will allow ED staff to compile the applicant’s information quickly and more effectively so it can be posted on ED’s website

Applicants must complete and submit this information with each application submitted.

The PN Abstract Narrative Form is located at Applicants must fill out this form electronically, “Save As” a .PDF, and upload the generated .PDF as the Abstract Narrative Form.

Please make sure the below information is included in the PN Abstract Narrative Form:

  1. Project Title; Applicant Name; City/Town, State, and Zip Code in which the neighborhood is located;
  2. The Eligible Applicant Type (Nonprofit, Institution of Higher Education, or Indian Tribe);
  3. The total Federal dollar amount request and the amount of matching funds provided (Years 1-5);
  4. In 2000 characters or less, a brief description of the proposed project, including a summary of (1) the need in the neighborhood proposed to beserved; (2) a strategy to build a continuum of solutions with strong schools at the center; and (3) the applicant’s capacity to achieve results;
  5. A brief description of the school or schools described in the application.
  6. A list of partner entities described in the memorandum of understanding and with which the applicant will partner in planning the proposed Promise Neighborhood.

PLEASE NOTE: Information included in this abstract may be made broadly and publicly available. Applicants should not include proprietary information.

Instructions for Project Narrative

The Project Narrative should include, in detail, the eligible applicant’s response to the Selection Criteria and, if applicable, the Competitive Preference Priorities. Applicants should address each of the Selection Criteria since the application will be evaluated and scored against these criteria. The maximum possible score for each criterion is indicated in the NIA. Table 1, on page 10 of this application, is the non-binding, suggested scoring ranges, we will provide to reviewers.

Absolute Priorities

The FY 2017Promise Neighborhoods NIA includes three Absolute Priorities. Applicants for implementation grants arerequired to choose one of the three Absolute Priorities and address the priority in the application. Applications will address the selected absolute priority in the project narrative by addressing the

Selection Criteria. The three Absolute Priorities are explained in detail in the NIA.

Competitive Preference Priorities

The FY 2017Promise Neighborhoods NIA includes four Competitive Preference Priorities (CPP). Applicants implementation grants may choose to address one or more of the Competitive Preference Priorities. Therefore, an applicant must identify the priority or priorities it wishes the Department toconsider for purposes of earning the competitive preference priority points within the Project Narrativesection. CPP responses should be clearly labeled and placed at the front of the project narrative.Responses to the CPP are included in the recommended project narrative page limit. The four Competitive PreferencePriorities are explained in detail in the NIA.Please note that the Department will notreview or award points under any competitive preferencepriority for an application that fails to clearly identify the competitive preference priorities it wishesthe Department to consider for purposes of earning the competitive preference priority points.

Page Limits

We strongly encourage applicants to limit the project narrative to 75 pages, double-spaced, and number the pages consecutively. Please provide any charts, graphs, citations, or examples within the 75 pages of the projective narrative. Refer to section IV—Application and Submission Information of the notice for additional application submission requirements and section I—Funding Opportunity Description for detailed information regarding the absolute andcompetitive preference priorities for this Promise Neighborhoods competition.

Each Promise Neighborhoodproject must have several core features: significant need in the neighborhood for the grant services, a strategy to build a continuum of solutions with strong schools at the center, and the capacity to achieve results. We believe the selection criteria are best organized to align with these core features. Thus, the “need for project” criterion aligns with the requirement that applicants describe the need in the neighborhood. The “quality of project design” and “quality of project services” criteria align with the requirement that applicants describe a strategy to build a continuum of solutions with strong schools at the center. The “quality of the management plan” criterion aligns with the requirement that applicants describe their capacity to achieve results. In addressing the selection criteria, the project narrative should address the requirements identified in Section I of the Federal Register. Following the selection criteria, the applicant may address the competitive preference priorities.

Instructions for Submitting Evidence

Competitive Preference Priority 3--Evidence-Based Activities, Strategies, or Interventions (0 or 1 point).

To meet this priority, an applicant must propose to carry out evidence-based activities, strategies, or interventions that, based on information included in their application, are supported by promising evidence (as defined in this notice).

Promising evidence means the following conditions are met:

(a) There is at least one study that is a correlational study with statistical controls for selection bias with a relevant finding (quasi-experimental design studies or experimental studies may also qualify); and

(b) The relevant finding in the study described in paragraph (a) is of a statistically significant and positive (i.e., favorable) effect of the project component on a student outcome or other relevant outcome with no statistically significant and overriding negative (i.e., unfavorable) evidence on that project component from other findings on the intervention reviewed by and reported in the What Works Clearinghouse that Meet What Works Clearinghouse Evidence Standards with or without reservations.

As a guide, we offer the following example for submitting evidence to address these requirements. It is suggested that you address the three following pieces (citation, citation outcomes, and relevance to proposed project) in your response.

Citation. Provide the full citation for each study you are using as evidence. If the study has been reviewed by the WWC, please include the rating it received. You may also include the URL link to the study.

Example:

Bettinger, E.P., & Baker, R. (2011). The effects of student coaching in college: An evaluation of a randomized experiment in student mentoring. Stanford, CA: Stanford University School of Education.

Meets WWC Group Design Standards without Reservations.

Citation Outcome(s).

Describe: 1) the outcomes in the study presented and how those outcomes are statistically significant; and 2) how the outcomes in the evidence relate to the outcomes in your project.

Relevance to Proposed Project. Briefly describe the intervention used in the study presented as evidence. How does the evidence relate to your proposed project? Will your proposed project measure the same outcomes? What link is there between the study presented and your proposed intervention and/or study? If applicable, explain how the population in your proposed project is similar to that used in the cited study.

Instructions for submitting a logic model under Strong Theory

Applicants should submit a logic model to address the Selection Criterion, Quality of Project Design, element part (3) The extent to which the proposed project is supported by strong theory (as defined in this notice). Applicants are encouraged to visit the Ed.gov website for more information about developing logic models- type in “logic models”. Applicants may use resources such as Logic Models: A Tool for Effective Program Planning, Collaboration, and Monitoring published through IES to help describe the extent to which the proposed project is supported by strong theory (as defined in 34 CFR 77.1(c)).

Suggested Point Ranges Used By Reviewers to Score Applications

All applicants are required to respond to each of the selection criteria in the NIA published in the Federal Register on July 21, 2017. Scores assigned by peer reviewers indicate how well or poorly the applicant responded to a selection criterion and its specific factors. Shown below are suggested point ranges that will be provided to peer reviewerstoassist in the reviewing and scoring of applicant responses to each selection criterion and its specific factors. While this is not an official or binding rubric, the suggested point ranges may help applicants self assess before submitting an application.

TABLE 1.

Maximum Point Value / Quality of Applicants Response
Selection Criterion factors is not addressed / Selection criterion factor is poorly developed (major weaknesses) / Selection criterion factor is adequately developed (some weaknesses) / Selection criterion factor is strongly developed (minor weaknesses) / Selection criterion factor is fully developed with no weaknesses
30 / 0 / 1-9 / 10-20 / 21-29 / 30
20 / 0 / 1-6 / 7-13 / 14-19 / 20
15 / 0 / 1-5 / 6-10 / 11-14 / 15
10 / 0 / 1-3 / 4-6 / 7-9 / 10
5 / 0 / 1 / 2 / 3-4 / 5

Instructions for Budget Narrative

The Budget Narrative Form should include the applicant’s detailed line item budget (ED form

524) AND the accompanying detailed budget narrative justification.

Applicants must complete ED form 524 for all budget years of the proposed project. Applicants must also provide a detailed budget narrative that describes their proposed multiyear project activities and the costs associated with those activities as well as all costs associated with carrying out the proposed project. Section 75.112(b) of EDGAR requires applicants to present “a narrative that describes how and when, in each budget period of the project, the applicant plans to meet each objective of the project.” EDGAR and other administrative requirements, including the new Uniform Guidance, may be accessed at:

In addition, applicants should include costs for four project staff persons (project director,evaluator, and two partners) to attend an annual 2-day project director’s meeting in Washington, DC.

The budget should include only costs that are allowable, reasonable, and necessary for carrying out theobjectives of the Promise Neighborhoods project. Rules about allowable costs are included both in EDGAR and in the uniform guidance.They can be accessed at

For each line item of both Sections A (federal costs) and B (non-federal costs) of the Budget Form (ED524), applicants should provide detailed costs (in dollars) accompanied by a narrative justification to support the request.

Also, please note that, in Section B, an applicant should show the funds or in-kind donations it proposesto use to meet the matching requirement as well as any other non-Federal funds or in-kind donationsthat it proposes to use to support its Promise Neighborhoods project. An applicant need not have secured matching funds or in-kind donations in order to show those funds or donations in Section B. If an applicant is submittingwith its application a request for a reduction of the private-sector matching requirement, the applicantmay show in Section B the amount of non-Federal funds or in-kind donations it intends to use to supportits Promise Neighborhoods project consistent with that request.

Applicants should check all figures and combined totals in the budget narrative, and compare the amounts withthose reflected on the ED 524.

NOTE: Questions about obtaining an approved Indirect Cost Rate or how to apply the IndirectCost Rate to the Federal funds requested can be directed to a cost negotiator using the information provided at the following URL: