1. Q: I am working on a proposal and would like to know if it would fit the Station-Based Election Programming Initiative. Could someone please review it and let me know if it meets the Content Criteria?
A: Limited staff resources preclude CPB or the SEPI Manager from reviewing your proposal prior to submission.
2. Q: The RFP requires Content to "focus on election-related issues of keen local concern that are also of national interest." What does this mean?
A: "National interest" means that the Content must focus on and be produced for viewers in such a way that it will interest, engage and attract audiences in North Dakota as much as it would in North Carolina.
3. Q: How much detail of the project do you need for the proposal?
A: The level of detail in a proposal should be sufficient to persuade CPB's and the SEPI Manager's internal and external evaluators and reviewers that the proposed project is appropriate to the SEPI and consistent with the RFP guidelines. It is important to remember that the External Review will look for those proposals that meet or surpass the SEPI Objectives and Criteria for Content.
4. Q: Who will be reviewing my proposal?
A: The first-look review will be conducted by CPB staff and the SEPI Manager. Qualified proposals will then undergo an External Review by at least one public broadcasting senior manager or programmer (impartial) and one content or media specialist.
5. Q: What is the project period and when will funds be awarded?
A: CPB anticipates announcing SEPI Grants on/about June 30, 2008. We anticipate project periods will be up to 7 months. Funds will be awarded according to the terms of the project contract.
6. Q: Can we use funds from CPB to purchase equipment?
A: No. You can use CPB funds to rent equipment for the project.
7. Q: What is CPB's policy on overhead/indirect costs for the project?
A: CPB does not disallow the reimbursement of actual, indirect costs such as rent, utilities and other overhead expenses, but we do require that you explain the methodology used to estimate such costs. Moreover, because there is sometimes wide variance between the overhead costs of prospective grantees, anyone seeking CPB funding should recognize that proposals containing excessive overhead costs are at a competitive disadvantage for funding when compared to other meritorious projects with lower overhead costs.