FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions

• Who is eligible to receive a grant?
• Who is the target audience?
• What amounts does the TPS Regional program grant?
• How long is the funding period?
• What activities and expenses are allowable under a grant?
• What matching funds are required?
• Do TPS regional grants cover indirect costs?
• Is it possible to receive multiple TPS regional grants?
• What is the process for applying for grants?
• What is the application deadline?
• What information do you require to make grant decisions?
• What criteria are used for granting decisions?
• How long do funding decisions take?
• What reporting requirements exist once I receive a grant?
• How can I get more information? 

Answers

Who is eligible to receive a grant?

The TPS Regional program awards grants to non-federal educational organizations such as school districts, state boards of education, universities, foundations, library systems, cultural institutions, and others. The Library of Congress makes these funds available through the regional directors to help grantees incorporate TPS materials and methods into existing programs for teachers.

Who is the target audience?

Educational organizations offering education or professional development programs to pre- and in-service teachers, librarians, media specialists, and other K–12 educators are eligible to receive grants.

What amounts does the TPS Regional program grant?

The TPS Regional program makes grants of up to $25,000.

How long is the funding period?

The initial funding period is 18 months or less. If necessary, a grantee may request a no-cost extension of the grant period.

What activities and expenses are allowable under a grant?

Grants can be used to cover the expenses associated with delivering TPS professional development. This can include payment to a faculty member for revising a course syllabus to include TPS content, offering stipends so that teachers can attend a TPS workshop, paying a lecturer to conduct an online course that uses materials and pedagogical approaches from the TPS program, etc. Regional directors can answer specific questions about allowable project expenses.

What matching funds are required?

The Library requires a matching contribution of at least 20 percent of the total grant awarded. This matching contribution can take the form of funds, labor, facilities, etc.

Do TPS regional grants cover indirect costs?

The Library does not pay for indirect costs under this program, but grantees may apply indirect costs toward the required match.

Is it possible to receive multiple TPS regional grants?

Typically, a grantee is eligible for only one TPS grant. Requests for additional grants are considered on a case-by-case basis and awarded only when the project will support significantly greater impact.

What is the process for applying for grants?

First, fill out the online notice of intent form found on the site for your region. The director of your region will contact you to discuss your project idea. If the regional director determines that your project idea fits within the funding guidelines of the TPS Regional program, he or she will ask you to submit a proposal.

What is the application deadline?

There is no application deadline. The TPS Regional program accepts grants on an ongoing basis.

What information do you require to make grant decisions?

We will ask for information about your organization and its activities, the TPS professional development that you intend to offer, the teachers whom you will target, a list of institutional partners and their role in the project, the expected outcomes, a timeline, and a budget narrative.

What criteria are used for granting decisions?

Regional directors evaluate proposals based on:

• Access: The proposed project reaches geographic areas and populations underserved by the TPS program.
• Quality: The proposed workshop or course will help teachers achieve TPS program goals and objectives.
• Professional development program and partnerships: The proposing organization leverages partnerships to provide programs for teachers.
• Sustainability: The grantee’s use of TPS content will be integrated into their professional development programs for teachers.
• Project plan: The plan thoroughly describes the intended project, its audience, and content, supported by a timeline of activities and an appropriate budget narrative.

How long do funding decisions take?

Regional directors make funding decisions within six weeks from the submission of a full application.

What reporting requirements exist once I receive a grant?

The TPS Regional program requires that grantees submit a brief quarterly report indicating any workshop or courses delivered. We also request a final narrative and expenditure reports at the end of the project. Grantees who receive at least $500,000 from the federal government must submit single audits.

How can I get more information?

Please contact the director for your region.