Questions from Potential Respondents, with CPB Answers
As of October 22, 2012
Deadline for Applications: November 13, 2012 @5PM ET
Note: Questions that are similar to each other are only listed and answered once.
What is the purpose of the Request for Grant Proposals?
CPB is seeking grant proposals for innovative original reporting that highlights challenges American communities face and the solutions they’ve developed as they provide education in the 21st century. In particular, CPB seeks to support public radio stations and national producers in the creation of content that aligns with the American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen initiative, which addresses the high school dropout crisis in our country.
What is American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen?
American Graduate is a public media initiative funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to help local communities across America identify and implement solutions to address the high school dropout crisis. The initiative builds on public media's long-standing commitment to education by convening conversations and strengthening partnerships between public radio and television stations and local schools, businesses and community organizations to help students stay on the path to a high school diploma. The multi-year campaign is designed to raise awareness and dialogue through national and local multiplatform programming. More information is available at http://www.americangraduate.org.
What kind of content will the grants support?
The content must include radio broadcast components and should include innovative uses of online, mobile and social media. We anticipate proposals in two broad categories — content projects and on-going coverage.
- Content projects have a defined editorial focus and could be packaged as special series, documentaries, features, interviews, call-in programs and accompanying digital content (text, photos, blogs, slideshows, videos, maps, and interactive elements). These projects may be up to 24 months long.
- On-going coverage that builds capacity at the applicant’s organization can include support for a dedicated, full-time journalist to cover education issues. The grant will support up to 50% of the journalist’s salary and benefits for up to 24 months.
What education topics should be considered?
Applicants should determine what topics are relevant to their audiences and communities. Content may address education and dropout issues from a variety of angles, including impact on the local and national economy, impact on the social welfare system, the academic choices available for parents and students, classroom curriculum, government policies, and others. The content should represent and reflect the diverse perspectives on education found in each community and across the country, including the voices of teachers and young people who are most directly affected by policies and practices.
How can the content best align with American Graduate?
Content projects and on-going coverage can align with American Graduate by focusing on issues surrounding the high school dropout crisis. Currently, one in four students drops out before he or she finishes high school. That’s more than one million students a year. For African-American and Hispanic students, the graduation rate is less than 65 percent. Research shows that high school graduates contribute to America’s economic growth; are less likely to engage in criminal behaviour; have better health outcomes; and are more likely to be civically engaged. Unless graduation rates increase, nearly 12 million students will likely drop out over the next decade, resulting in a loss to the nation of $1.5 trillion. Clearly, high school dropout is a topic that has rich editorial opportunities and widespread implications for communities and for the nation.
For examples of topics and issues related to dropout, go to the American Graduate playlist on PRX.
Who is eligible to apply for the grants?
All CSG-qualified radio stations and joint licenses are eligible to apply. Also, independent radio producers and radio networks are welcome to apply. The grants require radio broadcast content to be produced and aired.
Are stations that have already received a grant under the American Graduate initiative eligible to apply for this grant?
Yes. CPB will review the proposals from hub stations and other American Graduate grantees to make sure that there is no duplication of work or funding.
Should applicants collaborate on proposals?
CPB encourages applicants — stations, independent producers and networks — to work together on content production and distribution strategies. Collaboration can expand the capacity and resources needed for your coverage and extend the reach and impact of the content. If you are collaborating with another entity, please include information about your partnership in your proposal. It also helps to have a letter of commitment from the partner(s).
What size grants does CPB anticipate awarding?
CPB anticipates awarding up to $1 million in grants through this Request for Grant Proposals to support stations and national producers in their coverage of education. We anticipate awarding two to three large grants in the $200,000 - $250,000 range and multiple smaller grants in the $50,000 - $100,000 range.
What’s the timeline for review of proposals and notification of applicants?
We anticipate it will take at least 6-8 weeks to review the proposals and at least another 6-8 weeks to make final decisions on funding.
What CPB credits will be required?
All funded proposals will be required to provide appropriate on-air and online credit for the American Graduate initiative.
Should proposals include community engagement?
Yes. Proposals should include community engagement strategies, which may be implemented through digital and social media as well as in-person meetings and community partnerships. Engagement means collaboratively addressing community concerns and requires building ongoing, two-way relationships based on trust and authenticity. Engagement focuses on a conversation — an ongoing dialogue to help citizens and producers develop greater understanding of their communities. The National Center for Media Engagement (NCME) is available to help applicants develop and critique engagement strategies.
What are the grant reporting requirements?
As with any CPB grant, there are required reports and financial updates to inform us of the progress being made on the grant project. The grant reporting varies from project to project but generally includes sending periodic narratives and budgets to CPB that give information on specifics of the grant project. The grant agreement includes a schedule of grant reporting that outlines what reports should be delivered at what time.
Is there a match required other than on the reporter salary and benefits?
No match is otherwise required, but CPB tends to give higher priority to projects that include support from the applicant and other sources.
What amount of overhead is acceptable in the proposal budget?
CPB does not have a set limit for overhead for these types of projects. However, CPB would prefer to see grant dollars going to direct costs rather than overhead. Overhead is one of many elements that we consider when we review grant applications. If all else is equal, we would lean towards funding applications that have lower overhead.
