Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: I was unable to attend a pre-proposal briefing. How can I receive information on the meetings?
A: The transcript of the Washington, DC briefing is available online (78KB PDF). Please note that this transcript serves in lieu of audio tapes. - Q: I am working on a proposal and would like to know if it would fit the American History and Civics Initiative. Could someone please review it and let me know if it meets the criteria?
A: Limited staff resources, as well as standard procedures for a public competition, preclude CPB from reviewing draft proposals. However, we will respond to specific questions submitted to History.Civics@cpb.org. - Q: What role will PBS Interactive play in the Initiative?
A: Web content funded through this initiative is intended for distribution through PBS.org, PBS's national Internet site. PBS Interactive will have the right of first refusal to host funded Web content; in the event PBS Interactive elects not to distribute the Web components of funded projects, the grantee will be able to host the projects themselves, or explore other hosting alternatives.
Applicants interested in including Web-based components are encouraged to have exploratory, initial conversations with PBS Interactive staff members. Furthermore, applicants should familiarize themselves with the PBS Web Production Manual to learn about PBS's Web guidelines and specifications. You will need to register to access this information. - Q: The RFP requires projects to be "national in scope." What does this mean?
A. "National in scope" means that the project must be designed--notably the content, broadcast and the learning methodology--so that any successful project can be adapted nationally with minimal modification. The content must be considered, by teachers, relevant to an American History class curriculum. (This would not necessarily include the history curriculum found in a particular state's history. Therefore, the content produced through AHCI must be equally applicable and relevant to an American History class and standards, where applicable, in North Dakota as it would in North Carolina.) We expect many projects will be piloted at the local or state level but designed to be later rolled out for national distribution.
The broadcast component must be offered to PBS for national broadcast--which could be on the NPS in prime time or on PBS Plus in a fringe time. - Q: Do I have to go through all three phases of funding to receive a grant, or can I apply just for Production and Implementation funding?
A: Per the Eligibility Requirements outlined on p.3 of the RFP, only R&D grantees may apply for American History and Civics Initiative follow-on "Prototype Creation" (Phase 2) or "Production and Implementation" (Phase 3) grants. - Q: In evaluating the proposals, will the type of Managing Partner make any difference (Independent Producer vs PBS station or large non-profit)?
A: Beyond what is stated in the RFP, CPB has no predisposition to the construction of partnerships, nor which sector the Managing Partner might represent. We defer to the applicants to construct their partnership as they deem appropriate to develop and implement the proposed concept. Although it is not a "partnership construction" issue per se, as the RFP makes clear, CPB will likely favor partnerships that bring co-funding--especially in the form of commercial investment. Thus, while CPB does not require it, we expect that partnerships will generally include at least one high tech commercial/corporate entity. - Q: Does an application's "Managing Partner" have to be a public television station?
A: Per paragraph one of Section IV. of the RFP, "any public or private, non-profit, educational, or comercial entity is eligible to apply for a R&D grant as a 'Managing Partner.'" However, per Section V.B, p.5, each applicant must "incorporate the resources and expertise of one or more public television stations in the design and implementation of their projet." A public broadcasting station, therefore, could serve as a "Key Partner" or a "Managing Partner."
Applicants are reminded that proposals must clearly and specifically explain the respective role and contribution of each affiliated partner, and no applicant may serve as the Managing Partner in more than one project proposal. See Section V.E, p.6. - Q: With regard to the Section E of the proposal, is a public television station limited to supporting only one application or may a station partner with multiple projects?
A: No individual or organization may serve as the "Managing Partner" in more than a single project. Therefore, no individual or organization may submit more than one application to AHCI. However, individuals or organizations may serve as a "Key Partner" in multiple and an unlimited number of proposals. - Q: We are interested in developing a proposal in response to your History & Civics Initiative. One of the key partners on the proposal would be a Canadian small business. Does your initiative have any restrictions on the nationality of the partners/companies involved?
A: There are no restrictions on the partnership members' nationalities, per se. However, all project activities must focus on, and be implemented in, American schools. - Q: Are you looking for this proposal to include multiple partners? Is there a limit to the number of partners for the proposal?
A: CPB expects that partnerships will typically include more than two partners. However, CPB offers no specific requirements or guidelines with respect to the number of partners in an individual partnership. Partnerships should be constructed in a streamlined way to efficiently and effectively implement the individual concept/program they propose. Given the nature of R&D, it is worth noting that CPB anticipates that some partnerships, once implementation commences, could change as programs develop and evolve. (Partnership membership will be approved by CPB within normal course of the program.) - Q: Are you looking for nationwide, large TV and technology companies (public companies) to serve as partners, who will have a major impact on the project?
A: CPB is looking for project designs and credible partnerships that achieve the objectives specified in Section II of the RFP. We expect, but do not require, that public companies will serve as partners in many proposed projects, some of which may be national companies. - Q: How much detail of the project do you need for the proposal?
A: The level of detail in a given proposal should be sufficient to persuade CPB's internal and external reviewers and evaluators that the proposed project's objective is appropriate to the initiative and consistent to the RFP guidelines, and that the strategy and partnership can implement it successfully. The process is competitive. It is useful to remember that the evaluators will look for those strategies, methods, models, and partnerships that will have the highest potential likelihood of achieving the stated objectives in the RFP. - Q: Will you need a plan for evaluation and so forth included initially?
A: Yes. See the RFP, Section V.D and VII.B.F. CPB requires that applicants include a plan to measure project effectiveness and outcomes. This plan should measure and document actual learning improvement. - Q: We would like to understand more about the financial investments expected for the project. We understand that "significant financial investments outside the CPB grant funding" would need to be present from the start. Could you elaborate on what you mean by "significant financial investments"?
A: "Significant financial investments" could include commercial investment from a business partner (perhaps a high tech firm or publishing company) or governmental or non-governmental funds donated by a foundation. Co-funding is not "required," per se. However, we anticipate that the most competitive partnerships and programs will include co-funding, and that R&D grantees who identify and secure co-funding at the earlier stages of development will be more competitive and appropriate for continued CPB funding. We also anticipate that that the level of co-funding will increase as individual projects move from R&D forward. - Q: Can a private entity partner with a 501(c)(3) in order to receive co-funds from corporate, foundation, or public grant sources? Must the private entity be a corporation? Can the Corporation for Public Broadcasting play this role?
A: All partnerships must of course comply with applicable federal and state tax and other legal requirements. So long as the partnership combination of taxable, tax-exempt and/or governmental members does not violate or conflict with any such tax or other legal requirements, CPB will not place any restrictions on the types or number of entities that comprise the partnerships receiving CPB funds. However, CPB will not itself be a partner or otherwise participate in the affairs of the partnership. - Q: Does the Financial Plan (1) and the Fully Allocated Detailed Budget (2) under Section C, Proposal Attachments mean a budget for all three phases is needed, or budget for R&D, Phase I only?
A: The Fully Allocated Budget refers to the R&D budget alone. No budget for the follow-on stages, Prototype and Implementation/Production, is required or desired to be submitted in the R&D proposal. However, individual proposal Financial Plans and/or models should outline the applicant's long term vision explaining how the project will eventually become self-sustaining beyond CPB funding. R&D grantees (not applicants) will be expected to prepare and submit Prototype and/or Implementation/Production budgets (as a deliverable) at the end of the R&D phase. - Q: Regarding the Financial Models and Business Plans, can we include in-kind technology services from technology partners as a significant part of our non-CPB funding?
A: "Non-CPB funding" can include in-kind support or services. There is no requirement with respect to the balance of outside vs. CPB funding, nor cash vs. in-kind. However, CPB does anticipate that, all things equal, the more tangible and extensive the contribution or commercial investment, the more attractive the proposal. - Q: Can an urban, public school district be the lead fiscal agent for the American History and Civics Initiative grant? Would this be an unusual situation?
A: A public school district, or any public office, could be a Managing Partner and would thus automatically become the lead fiscal agent. CPB would not consider it unusual or in any way negative if a partnership was led by a school district. - Q: If we are trying to develop a half hour program to possibly air as part of the CPB history initiative on PBS, what would be the number of episodes one would have to plan for for a season?
A: There is no limit to or minimum number of segments that we prescribe in our guidance, largely because such a judgement cannot be made without a complete understanding of the larger concept being developed and proposed. Individual applicants and their partners are encouraged to make these determinations based on their reasonable assessment of what is required and possible given their overall objective and strategies. - Q: My colleagues are considering submitting an application. As we begin to flesh out the application, it would be very helpful to see examples of successful applications. Could you direct us to any such examples, particularly of Phase I grants?
A: The American History and Civics Initiative is a new initiative. No applications for this initiative have been received, nor have any awards been made. Therefore, there are no samples to distribute. Please note, however, that as a matter of protecting the privacy and expertise of the various applicants, it is unlikely that CPB would distribute successful or unsuccessful proposals in any event, certainly not without the approval of the proposal's author. - Q: For the purposes of this grant, would the Corporation for Public Broadcasting be interested in digital stories incorporating original cartoon (character) animation with live footage and archival materials as the storytelling vehicle?
A: CPB welcomes and anticipates a wide variety of production and storytelling approaches and devices. The concept outlined would not be inconsistent with any CPB guideline or criteria, and is therefore appropriate. - Q: What is the project and budget period -- when will funds be awarded?
A: CPB has not prescribed a specific R&D project and budget period in order not to inhibit, limit or restrict the creativity or time needs/constraints of applicants. As a practical matter, however, we generally anticipate that R&D projects will be between 3-9 months. After the R&D proposals have been received and counted and have undergone an initial review, CPB will project the length of the review-evaluation and grant making period. Generally, we anticipate that the R&D review and grant making process will occur over a 4-6 month period. - Q: If the primary focus of the initiative is the use of new media, what is the purpose of the broadcast component? Must all projects, considering this requirement, have traditional television programming?
A: CPB's core mission involves a commitment to projects with a public broadcast component, and therefore, there must be a public television broadcast component in each proposal and project. The broadcast component, while it need not be traditional, must be offered to PBS for national broadcast--which could be on the NPS in prime time or on PBS Plus in a fringe time. In essence, PBS has the right of first refusal. - Q: Can we use funds from CPB to buy technology for underserved schools?
A: Yes. Likewise, an applicant's technology partner might provide equipment as part of a co-funding commitment. - Q: Will any budget cuts affecting PBS and NPR impact this proposal and subsequent awards?
A: The multi-layered process by which the trillion dollar US budget is determined/negotiated in the Congress and Administration is a complicated, ever-changing months-long process which is unlikely to be decided before September 2005. As these deliberations continue there are predictably many twists and turns. Until the US budget is approved in the fall - like other government funded bodies - CPB proceeds based on their best judgment at the time. At this time, we are confident that AHCI and other CPB funding is secure. - Q: a) How long do grantees have to conduct R&D? b) How can we be assured that there will still be funds of the $20 million overall available for those projects whose R&D periods take longer?
A: CPB estimates that R&D will be conducted during a 6-9 month period. However, CPB has published no specific limits. In its review and evaluation of individual proposals, CPB would be careful not to award R&D funding to a proposed project that could not compete for follow-on funds if the duration of the R&D period would exclude that applicant from participating in the next stage of competition. - Q: Your RFP mentions that "any public or private, non-profit, educational, or commercial entity" may qualify as a Key Partner. Can this also include a government entity at the national, state or local level?
A: Yes. - Q: Who will be reviewing these proposals? For instance, will there be History Teachers who use new media such as massively multiplayer online
games in their teaching reviewing game proposals? Will this be a combination of CPB staff, media and history experts?
A: We will select internal/external reviewers based on their experience/expertise to assess the proposed project. The reviewers will include history, media, technology and teaching specialists. - Q: Will the company be able to retain all rights to the IP product they produce? This seems to be a condition for participation in some cases.
A: As a general rule, CPB grantees retain the underlying IP ownership rights to the product they created. Please note, however, that CPB normally retains a revenue interest to some appropriate degree in the underlying IP interests, as well as perhaps a license depending upon the unique features of the proposed project. In addition, CPB normally requires grantees to transfer a transferable license to CPB that is adequate to permit public broadcasters to utilize the product (with respect to broadcast properties, this license is normally exclusive in domestic markets).
Until the actual AHCI project and terms are proposed, it is impossible to project CPB's expectations with regard to potential or prospective revenue interests. As a practical matter, CPB does not request a revenue share in a product/project that is disproportionate to its contribution. In addition, CPB would not intend to create a disincentive for commercial investment into an AHCI partnership. - Q. Is the purpose of this Phase I application basically to explain the qualifications of the group and the groundwork that we have laid OR do you expect a specific plan (with for example, a pilot) for Phase I? In other words, how much of the research and development should we do BEFORE the actual award? Should we already have a specific idea for a "product," or will we be formulating that if/when we are funded in Phase I?
A: A proposal for Phase 1, or R&D funding, should explain the applicant's concept in the detail necessary to persuade the reviewers that it has a strong likelihood of achieving CPB's objectives as stated in the RFP. The proposal's competitiveness will be based on the strength of the concept (according to the RFP's goals, criteria, guidelines, etc), as well as the partnership's capacity to implement and measure its results successfully. Generally speaking, the detailed plans, associated products and pilot would be developed during the R&D period itself, and presented in a Phase 2 (or Prototype) proposal. Section VI, pages 7-8 of the RFP offers further guidance with respect to proposal content. - Q: What length do you expect a R&D proposal narrative to be -- how many pages?
A: There is no specific page length prescribed for proposals. We generally expect that the Proposal Narrative section (See Page 8 of the RFP: Section VII. B. "Proposal Narrative," Subparagraphs A-G) will be a total of about 15-20 pages in length. More narrowly, we generally expect that the more descriptive narrative text of this section (that would include Paras A-D) will be about 4-6 pages in length.
Please note that Section VII.B, "Proposal Narrative," page 8, requires that all R&D proposal narratives contain the following sections/paragraphs:
- A. Executive Summary
- B. Background and Need
- C. Vision & Objectives
- D. Strategy & Plan
- E. Managing and Key Partners' Roles
- F. Standards, Measurements, and Testing Methods
- G. Project Timeline
- Q: I am working on our budget and wanted to inquire about your policy on overhead/indirect costs?
A: CPB does not disallow the reimbursement of actual, indirect costs such as rent, utilities and other overhead expenses, but we do require prospective grantees to explain the methodology used to approximate such costs. Moreover, because there is sometimes wide variance between the overhead costs of different 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 that have lesser overhead costs. - Q: What is the difference between a "Letter of Intent" (Section V.E, 4th*) and a "Capacity Statement" for Managing and Key Partners (Section VII.C. Attachment 3)?
A: The Key Partners' Letter of Intent (LOI) should clearly explain the partners' respective role, contribution and level of commitment to the partnership as applicable. The length of the letter should be sufficient to explain the partner's role, contribution, and commitment to the partnership--including any co-funding (cash or in-kind) provided by the partner. In an R&D proposal, we would assume the LOI would be no more than a couple of paragraphs.
A Capacity Statement for an institution as a partner should be a paragraph or two summary that describes the institution's expertise and experience. Generally speaking, a capacity statement will authenticate that the institution has the experience and expertise to competently conduct and complete the role it is assigned in the partnership.
For an individual serving as a partner, a capacity statement would be his or her CV/ Resume. - Q: I'm wondering what opportunities there might be for providing credit for contributors who either provide significant in-kind support or direct financial support to non-broadcast parts of AHCI projects -- what kind of recognition opportunities might there be in the broadcast elements (either within program credits or on the companion Web site)?
A: PBS's Sponsorship/Underwriting guidelines are outlined at http://www.pbs.org/producers/webmanual/specs/generalpolicies.html; the Sponsorship section of the Web Production Manual addresses this question. (You will be asked to "register" to enter the site.) PBS has guidelines for both on-air and online, covering the ways in which credit may be given to sponsors and underwriters on PBS.org, including materials for teachers and students. Contact information for pertinent PBS departments is available on the Web site as well.
Contact CPB
Questions regarding the American History and Civics Initiative should be submitted in writing to History.Civics@cpb.org.
