The document outlines strategies for securing external funding from state and federal education agencies, detailing various funding opportunities and proposal requirements. It provides insights into proposal preparation, budget development, and the importance of aligning project goals with funding agency expectations. Additionally, it introduces the Discovery Center's history, mission, and support services available for educators and institutions seeking funding.

1. Success Strategies for
Securing External Funding from
State and Federal Education
Agencies

2. Workshop Overview
O Intro to the Discovery Center
O Intro of Workshop Participants and
Their Work
O Overview of state and federal
education funding opportunities
O Types of opportunities
O Finding opportunities

3. Workshop Overview
O Matching your initiatives with correct
funding opportunity
O Proposal Requirements
O Recommendations for developing
competitive proposals
Coherence
Alignment Articulation Justification

4. Workshop Overview
O Developing and articulating project goals,
rationale, and activities
O Examples of Planning/Design tools
O Content Development
Coherence
Alignment Articulation Justification

5. Workshop Overview
O Budget Development
O Proposal Preparation
O Reviewer Feedback and
Resubmission
Coherence
Alignment Articulation Justification

6. Discovery Center for Evaluation, Research,
and Professional Learning – Our Merger
O Established in 2015
O Formal merger of the Discovery and Ohio’s
Evaluation & Assessment Centers)

7. Our History
O Over 24 years of support for mathematics and science
education initiatives
O Since 1991 - PD opportunities for 20,000+ teachers
O Since 2003 – evaluated 160 state- and federally-
funded projects/programs
O More than $52 million in state and federal grants.
O Nationally recognized provider of research, evaluation,
assessment, and professional development services

8. Our Staff and Teams
O 18-20 staff
O Teams— Executive/Support, Research and Evaluation,
Professional Learning
O Knowledge/expertise in:
O Advanced Statistics (e.g., Nvivo, HLM, Lisrel,
Winsteps, SPSS, Amos, SAS)
O Instrument development and psychometrics
O Qualitative/quantitative data collection, analyses,
reporting
O Mathematics and science education
O Educational leadership, administration, and policy
O Professional Learning development and
administration

9. Our Mission
O Mission – To provide comprehensive, high-quality
research, evaluation, assessment, and professional
development services to improve teaching and
learning and promote equity in opportunity, access,
and outcomes for all learners.
O Committed to
O Collaboration
O Advocacy
O Strategic Innovation

10. Our Work
 State-wide Evaluation of
Ohio’s Resident Educator (RE)
Program
 NSF ADVANCE Project
Evaluations for MSU, Purdue,
UC
 NSF Math and Science
Partnership Project (MSP)
Evaluations for PENN, CUNY,
and SUNY - UB
 Improving Teacher Quality (ITQ)
Project Evaluations and State-
wide Ohio MSP Program
Evaluation
 Evaluation of Miami’s DHHS
Statewide Mental Health First
Aid Capacity project
 Comprehensive analysis of
progress and impact of DPS
education programs
 Funding research/grant writing
for YWCA (Hamilton)
 Over 30 math/science
workshops and trainings for
650 teachers

11. Who Funds Great Ideas in Education
Federal Agencies
O National Science Foundation
O Primarily through Education and Human Resources (EHR)
Division (e.g., S-STEM, ECR, AISL, ITEST, STEM-C, ADVANCE,
IUSE)
O National Institutes of Health
O E.g., Participating Orgs – DHHS, NICHD, NINR, NIAID
O U.S. Department of Education
O E.g., IES, FIPSE

12. Federal Funding Opportunities
National Science Foundation
O Funding opportunity homepage -
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/
O A-Z index:
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/azindex.jsp?start=A
O Example Program Page (STEM-C):
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_i
d=505006
O Includes Synopsis of Program, *Link to Solicitation (RFP),
Solicitation # (e.g, 15-527), Deadline for submission, Links
to recent awards and news for the program.

13. National Institutes of Health
O Funding opportunity homepage -
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html
O Advanced Search:
https://grants.nih.gov/searchGuide/search_guide.cfm
O Example Program Page (NINR):
http://www.ninr.nih.gov/researchandfunding#.Vp-1ZMYrLIU
O Example Announcement (DHHS – R25):
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-16-081.html
O Includes Synopsis of Program, Activity Code (R01, R15, etc.),
Related Notices, Funding Opportunity Announcement # (FOA), FOA
Purpose, Key Dates, etc.
Federal Funding Opportunities

14. U.S. Department of Education
O Funding opportunity homepage -
http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html
O Example Page (IES): https://ies.ed.gov/
O Example Announcement (IES – Ed Res. Grant –
Cognition and Student Learning):
https://ies.ed.gov/funding/pdf/2016_84305A.pdf
O Includes Intro to Announcement, CFDA Number (e.g, 84.305A),
Deadlines, General/Applicant Requirements, Descriptions of
Topics and Research Goals, Links to required forms
Federal Funding Opportunities

15. Who Funds Great Ideas in Education
State Agencies
Many State agency RFPs are managed by the Ohio
Department of Administrative Services (DAS).
O Funding/Procurement Page -
http://procure.ohio.gov/proc/searchProcOpps.asp
O Ohio Department of Education (ODE)
O E.g., Mathematics and Science Partnership
Program, Straight A Fund, 21st Century
O Ohio Department of Higher Education (formerly
OBR)
O E.g., Improving Teacher Quality

16. State Funding Opportunities
Ohio Department of Education
O Funding opportunity homepage -
http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Finance-and-
Funding/Grants/Competitive-Grants
O Example Page and Application (Straight A):
https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Straight-A-Fund
Ohio Department of Higher Education (formerly OBR)
O Funding opportunity homepage -
https://www.ohiohighered.org/grants
O Example Page and Application (ITQ):
https://www.ohiohighered.org/itqp

17. Other Funding Opportunities
Foundation
O Spencer Foundation - http://www.spencer.org/
O Martha Holden Jennings Foundation -
http://www.mhjf.org/
O W.K. Kellogg Foundation - https://www.wkkf.org/
Institutional/Departmental Support
O Departmental Seed Money
O OARS Funding or External Proposal Submission Incentive
(EPSI) Program
O Fellowship Opportunities (e.g., Discovery Center, Scripps)

18. Finding Opportunities
No matter where you search...
O Whether free-style searching or using a database (e.g.,
Foundation Directory, SPIN):
O Use key-words within your field; words in solicitations
O Narrow search criteria by time-frame and geographical
region
O Check eligibility requirements first
O Organize, Save, and Export results for later searches
O Track your results in a spreadsheet, include links to
funding agency websites/opportunities.
O Example of Funding Opportunity Info Spreadsheet

19. Finding Opportunities
Sign up for Funding Agency Newsletters,
Updates (e.g., NSF “Weekly Digest Bulletin;”
NIH “Watch This Opportunity”).
O Get updates on specific solicitations/
opportunities; funding program
news/changes; new funding opportunities.
O Select updates specific to your field or area
of interest.

20. Insider Tips
O Programs sometimes are merged, renamed,
removed, and solicitations are replaced,
cancelled, or amended
O Take advantage of opportunities to meet
and get to know program officers
O Volunteer to serve on review panels
O When you find a funding opportunity of
interest, review abstracts of recent awards
O Take advantage of “down-time” to work on
proposal ideas

21. Proposal Requirements
What are common
sections or
elements of
RFP(A)’s or
proposals?
What are typical
requirements for
organizing your
content/ideas?
NSF DRK12 ITQ Foundation
Intro Needs Intro of Org.
Previous support
Impact of Previous
Projects
Description of
Program/Project
Goals & Anticipated
Outcomes
R&D Design
Operations Planning &
Proposed Activities
Plan for Using
Funding
Participant
Recruitment
Expertise
Disseminate
Replicate &
Disseminate
Broader Impacts
Impact of
Program
Evaluation Evaluation
Budget Budget Budget

22. Recommendations for Competitive
Proposals
O Once you find a program that is well-aligned with your proposed
project
O Plan Proposal Logistics:
O Dissect RFP(A) to get a clear understanding of
requirements
O Create an outline of required sections
O Determine how much time you need for proposal
development – AND MULTIPLY BY 2!
O Develop Content:
O Clearly and concisely articulate your ideas
O Use persuasive, active language to show
need/impact/”so what” of your proposed work

23. Developing and Articulating Goals,
Rationale, and Activities
O Frame Your Project by Typical Proposal Sections
O Outline Goals, Objectives, and Activities
O Use tools to help you visualize your project and its
purpose (e.g., Logic Models)
O Design your project with evaluation in mind
A logic model is essential for coherent
project design.

24. Content Development - Alignment
O Use Tools to Plan and Design

25. Project Framing -- Goals
O Represented on a logic model as Outcomes
O Broad statements of project purpose that
describe effects of a project
O Short-, medium-, or long-term and describe
the big-picture of what project can or hopes to
achieve
O Rationale based in extant research and
addresses a need or gap

26. Project Framing - Objectives
O Represented as Outputs on a logic model
O Aligned with broader goals
O Specific, measurable descriptions of results to be
achieved
O Objectives need specific statements of how you will
measure effectiveness of your activities
O Articulating objectives in a SMART format provides a
clear measurement plan
O SMART = Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented,
Realistic, and Timed

27. Project Framing - Activities
O Activities could be workshops, curriculum,
educational programs, introduction of new
equipment, creating new positions
O Activities address one or more objectives that
are aligned with goal(s) and address a need
O Impact of an activity can be measured to
assess the extent to which the activity
contributed to achievement of the objective

28. Goals, Objectives, or Activities?
1. 90% of women STEM faculty at Newfoundland University will be
retained during the 5 years of the project as measured by 2019
university-level data.
2. Diversity Leaders will be hired and trained for each of the STEM
departments to act as mentors for junior faculty.
3. Improve the climate for female faculty in STEM departments at
Newfoundland University.
4. A faculty mentoring program will be implemented for each of the STEM
departments whereby each junior female faculty will be partnered with
a senior female faculty member.
5. Perceptions of climate for STEM female faculty will increase
significantly in at least 4 of the 10 STEM departments at
Newfoundland University as measured through a pre-post analysis of
the 2015 and 2019 Newfoundland University Climate Survey.

29. Content Development - Articulation
O Different funders and programs have different
expectations for project design and evaluation
– speak the language of the funder
O Clearly describe goals, objectives, and activities
of your work

30. Content Development - Justification
O Grant funded projects generally require
evaluation – be sure it meets expectations for
rigor
O Planning the evaluation can lead to re-
assessment of the project
O Outcomes must be significant and relevant to
the funder (e.g., student learning, teacher
content knowledge)

31. Coherence
Alignment Articulation Justification
Remember to keep Coherence in mind:
O From Alignment of initiatives during funding
opportunity searches…
O …to Articulation of your ideas through
clear/concise writing and visuals....
O …to Justification of why your work should be
funded.

32. Budget Planning
O Examples of different “costs” for proposals
O Tips for projecting budget and time and effort to
cover project personnel and activities.
O Justify expenses and be sure they are allowable by funding
agency
O Center templates for a budget and/or for calculating
person effort

33. Possible Staff Miami guidelines NSF guidelines
Faculty 1 day per week , 3
months summer, course
buyout
2 months
Staff 1 day per week if
infrequent, buy time
(contribute to existing
salary) full-time or part-
time benefits
Will not fund secretarial staff
Student GA? hourly or stipend
with tuition waived
Budget Development –
Personnel Salary

34. Possible Staff 2015-2016 Miami Grant Guidelines
Faculty Academic Year = 37.32%
Summer = 16.47%
Staff Full time = 37.32%
Part time = 16.47%
Student Anytime = 1.7%
Budget Development –
Personnel Fringe Benefits
Note: multiple year awards will carry the benefit rate for the year in which the
award was given.

35. O Local/State
O Plan meetings, focus groups, observations,
workshops
O National
O Conferences, required meetings
O International
O Rarely funded without a direct relationship to the
project
Budget Development - Travel

36. O This area is not for Participant Support
O Hosting but very few funding sources will cover
hosting expenses
O Special software
O Envelopes, paper, etc. for questionnaires
O Books (not for participants)
O Copying
O Equipment – must be project specific
Budget Development –
Supplies & Materials

37. O Consultants – there are payment limits
O Subcontracts
O Pay indirect costs only on the first $25,000
O Subcontractor must have
O DUNS#
O Register with System for Award Management
(SAM) for NSF proposals
Budget Development - Services

38. O Participant support costs are not included when
calculating indirect costs
O These costs are for materials that go directly to
participants – those costs that would be incurred by
participants in a grant-sponsored workshop
Budget Development –
Participant Support

39. O Another term for Indirect Costs is Facilities and
Administration (F&A)
O Usually specified in RFP
O Percentage charged to projects at Miami
O Federal
O 44.5% Organized research
O 44.0% Sponsored instruction
O 39.0% Other sponsored activities State – usually 8-10%
O Private – Varies by project total, usually 0-10%
http://www.miamioh.edu/research/proposal-prep/budgets/
Budget Development – Indirect
Costs

40. Proposal Preparation
O Examples of forms (e.g, Cover Page, Bio, C&P)
O Allow time for required forms, signatures, and
documents from collaborators.
O Confirm buy-in from collaborators and
assign clear deadlines for
signatures/forms.
O Meet institutional (internal) deadlines
O Example check-list of forms/deadlines for
NSF grant

41. O Required and allowable forms will be specified in RFP
O Frequently required:
O Cover Page
O Budget
O Budget Justification
O Vita – NSF Biosketch, 1 or 2 page CV
O Current & Pending Support
O Letter of Support from OARS
O Miami also requires:
O Subcontract form if using a subcontractor
Proposal Forms

42. O Deadlines
O Funding agency
O Miami
O OARS ESPI bonus for early submission
O Collaborator forms
O Signatures
O Letters of support
Proposal Forms

43. Interpreting Review Feedback
O “Summary” (consensus) review is more critical than
individual reviews
O Follow up with program officer if possible
O Address questions and respond to critique that
resonate with your proposal and its purpose
O Avoid adding suggested activities/components
unless they fit your work
O Remember - Composition of review panels change
with each submission
O ALWAYS REVISE AND RESUBMIT

44. Review Feedback Examples
DOE i3 review example:
US. Department of Education - EDCAPS G5-Technical
Review Form (New)
NSF Program review example:
IUSEGrantProposalReviews2014

45. How We Can Help - As You Reflect
How do I develop an
effective research
and/or evaluation
plan?
What are the
differences between
between goals and
objectives?
What type of statistical
analysis is most
appropriate for
analyzing my data?
How do I appropriately
budget for my project
or program’s proposed
activities?
?
?
?
?

46. How We Can Help – Research Hub
O Faculty/Staff Research Hub - Specialized workspace
equipped with computers and software
O Technical support and consultation
O Located in
408 McGuffey Hall

47. How We Can Help – Center Services
Comprehensive - Collaboration or assistance developing a
project/program proposal for external funding and/or
designated services for funded initiatives.
Technical Assistance – Subaward or contract to perform
specific technical services for proposed or existing
project/program.
General Support – In-kind (Miami) or case-by-case contract
agreement (non-Miami) to perform specific support
services for proposed or existing project/program.

48. Contact & Location Information
Discovery Center for Evaluation,
Research, and Professional Learning
210 E. Spring St.
408 McGuffey Hall
Phone: (513) 529-1686
Email: discoverycenter@MiamiOH.edu
Updates to
Discovery Center Website
coming soon.