Grant Q&A - Round 1
Inform, connect and protect your community.
Application
Q: Can applicants submit more than one application for different target populations?
A: Yes, the same organization can submit multiple applications for different approaches, different geographic regions, and/or different populations of focus. Please contact us at vaccinegrant@tamu.edu for additional guidance if you plan on submitting multiple applications due to these factors. There is no guarantee that more than on application per organization will be accepted.
Q: Is there a page limit or formatting specifications, like font size to submit the proposal?
A: We do not have a page limit or other formatting specifications for the proposal.
Q: Can the same organization submit multiple applications if they are different approaches or populations of focus?
A: Yes, the same organization can submit multiple applications for different approaches, different geographic regions, and/or different populations. Please contact us at vaccinegrant@tamu.edu for additional guidance if you plan on submitting multiple applications due to these factors. There is no guarantee that all applications will be accepted.
Q: Do you want letters of support or commitment from applicant partners/target communities?
A: Letters of commitment are required for joint applications between organizations. Letters of support are not required for individual applications.
Q: Can organizations partner on a joint application?
A: Yes.
Q: Are there regions of the state that will be prioritized, therefore, certain applications prioritized?
A: Applications in areas with vaccination rates lower than 50% will be prioritized. However, additional factors will be considered such as targeted populations or other risk factors.
Q: Can organizations apply for multiple grant awards for different locations
A: Yes, the same organization can submit multiple applications for different approaches, different geographic regions, and/or different populations of focus. Please contact us at vaccinegrant@tamu.edu for additional guidance if you plan on submitting multiple applications due to these factors. There is no guarantee that more than on application per organization will be accepted.
Q: Will applications be evaluated at the end of the application deadline or on a rolling basis? If on a rolling basis, will applicants be notified whether their project was funded?
A: Applicants will be evaluated on a rolling basis and notified of the status of their application at that time.
Q: Will applications in counties with growing COVID infections be prioritized?
A: Applications will be prioritized on a number of variables including the vaccination rates per area proposed to be covered in each proposal.
Q: If large organizations apply on behalf of members, will the evaluation consider the large organization or individual site's experience?
A: Each application will be considered based on its specific scope of work and target population. Evaluators will request more information if experience is of concern.
Q: If organizations can collaborate but subcontracts are not allowed, how is the collaboration envisioned?
A: Texas A&M has clarified that subcontracts are available.
Eligibility
Q: Can you define “community” as listed in the RFP?
A: A community can include, but not limited to, a county, set of counties, sections of counties, zip codes, or sections of neighborhoods. A community is a group of people with diverse characteristics who are linked by social ties, share common perspectives, and engage in joint action in geographical locations or settings. This would account for organizations who are targeting "people with disabilities" and other communities who are not defined necessarily by geographic boundaries.
Q: Are health care providers eligible to apply for these funds?
A: Yes, if the project scope falls within the parameters of the RFP.
Q: Can you clarify if local health departments are eligible to apply for these funds?
A: No, local health departments are not eligible. Please email Texas A&M at vaccinegrant@tamu.edu for additional information.
Financial Reporting
Q: What kind of reporting will be required and how often?
A: Monthly progress reports.
Q: What will monthly reports look like?
A: Reporting information is forthcoming.
Funding
Q: How much total funding is available?
A: Total amount available for these projects is $10 million.
Q: Can applications request more funding that the $150,000 if multiple counties or projects are proposed?
The RFP lists $150,000 as the maximum award amount per project. If additional funding becomes available, further guidance will be provided.
Q: Is this a cost reimbursement program?
A: While there are limited up-front funds available, the remaining funds will be cost reimbursed.
Q: Are there any funding restrictions?
A: Budgets submitted for projects will be evaluated for any funding restrictions.
Q: Will funding be allowed for research related activities?
A: Funds under this program are not allowed for direct research or to support research activities.
Q: If approved for a grant, does our organization have to pay for everything ( ie grant money is distributed at end of projects), or do we receive the grant money upfront?
A: Limited upfront funds will be available, and the remaining funds will be cost reimbursed.
Q: Will funding support salaries for staff administering the vaccine?
A: No, project funds cannot be used to administer vaccines, this includes the salaries of those administering the vaccine.
Q: If awarded, when will funds be received?
A: Limited funds will be available upon execution of the contract. The remaining funds are cost based reimbursement.
Award Information
Q: How many awards might be anticipated and how will funding be rolled out?
A: The total number of awards will depend on the number of applications successfully submitted with promising outreach and education projects. Funding will be rolled out on a cost reimbursement basis.
Q: How many awards will there be?
A: The number of awards will be contingent on the number of successful applications submitted.
Budget
Q: Do you have further guidance on salary caps or indirect rates that can be included in the budget?
A: Further guidance will be provided on both salary caps and indirect cost.
Q: In preparing for the budget, are you capping the indirect rate?
A copy of the most recent NICRA must be uploaded in the application as supporting documentation. If the applicant organization does not have an approved NICRA, the organization can charge a 10% de minimis rate of modified total direct costs.
Applicants should upload NICRA as Other Attachment.
Q: Is there additional guidance on the IDC?
A: To claim indirect costs, the applicant organization must have a current approved negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA).
A copy of the most recent NICRA must be uploaded in the application as supporting documentation.
If the applicant organization does not have an approved NICRA, the organization can charge a 10% de minimis rate of modified total direct costs.
Applicants should upload NICRA as Other Attachment.
Other
Q: Are sample outreach materials available?
A: Resources are forthcoming and will be posted on this website.
Q: When is the project start date? September 1 or another date?
A: The project start data is upon execution of a contract with Texas A&M Health.
Q: Where can you find zip code and SVI information on the TAMU resource page?
A: Applicants may send requests for ZIP code specific vaccine coverage rates to IMMUcommunitygrants@dshs.texas.gov. SVI and other data resources are located at Applicant Resources (tamu.edu).
Q: SVI data is dated 2018-- is there more recent data or similar data available?
A: Applicant Resources (tamu.edu) has SVI and other resources available. Currently, only 2018 SVI data is available.
Q: Will recording and PPT be available online?
A: Yes, the recording of the presentation and PowerPoint provided on August 6, 2021, are available at Applicant Resources (tamu.edu)
Updated August 6, 2021
