The below FAQs are for informational purposes only and are intended solely to assist potential applicants in better understanding the Minority College and Universities Program and the application requirements set forth in the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for this program. The FAQs do not and are not intended to supersede, modify, or otherwise alter applicable statutory or regulatory requirements, or the specific application requirements set forth in the BAA. In all cases, applicable statutory and regulatory mandates, and the requirements set forth in the BAA, shall prevail over any inconsistencies contained in the below FAQs.

General

1. How do I apply for this funding opportunity? 

• The First Step
  Read the entire BAA. A complete application, or an application that does not address required program objectives and priorities may not be reviewed or considered for funding. Applicants are also encouraged to participate in pre-application webinars, and review supporting materials, such as FAQs and the “How to Apply for a Grant” videos. Click here MBDA.gov so see available materials.
• The Second Step
  Become familiar with MBDA, including its mission, vision, range of programs and initiatives, and the results of these investments. Click here to learn more about our current portfolio of programs. Get familiar with our most recent Annual Performance Report to gain insight regarding our agency accomplishments.
• The Third Step
  1. The SAM is the official U.S. government system that consolidated the capabilities of several government-wide registries including the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) System. Applicants without a current Sam.Gov account must register your business with SAM.gov to do business with the federal government. It may take up to a couple weeks to receive the UEI, so we encourage prospective applicants to register early.
  2. For applicants with an existing Sam.Gov account: On April 4, 2022, the identifier was changing from the DUNS number to the Unique Entity ID (UEI), issued by SAM.gov. Learn more about the transition and how to retrieve your assigned UEI here.
  3. Your UEI and your Sam.Gov account must be active in order to start your application in the Grants.gov system. Unfortunately, MBDA is not able to extend the deadline for individual applicants who are unable to provide their UEI and complete an application by the competition deadline.
  4. Register in the Grants.gov system. Your application must be submitted online through Grants.gov in order to be filed with MBDA.
• The Fourth Step
  Write the proposal for submission and submit. This is the final step in the application process and cannot be completed unless the applicant has registered with each of the stated entities above. Access your completed application package, ensure all the necessary and required information and forms are entered, check the package for errors, then click the “Submit" button. Once you have submitted your application you will receive a confirmation email that your application was successfully submitted, and a tracking number to track your application.

 

2. After the application is submitted, what is the review process?

The panel review process begins with an initial screening to verify that all required forms and documents are received by the deadline. Each application then goes through an independent merit review by a panel of at least 3 merit reviewers, overseen by a panel chair. Each application is reviewed based on the criteria published in the BAA.  The panel will conduct a merit review, evaluate, and score the application. Following the panel review, a Selection Review Panel will consider the portfolio of projects to be selected from the qualified applications, considering any applicable selection factors, and provide a recommendation to MBDA’s Selecting Official, who makes the final decision as to whether the application will receive funding.  Throughout the review and selection process, MBDA reserves the right to seek clarification in writing from applicants whose applications are being reviewed. MBDA may additionally ask applicants to clarify application materials or modify budgets or other specifics necessary to comply with Federal requirements.

 

3. How long does this process take?

The specific timeline varies for each application. Anticipated time for processing awards is approximately one hundred forty (140) days from the receipt of applications. The anticipated award start date is October 1, 2022. All applicants will be notified around this time of the success of their application. 

 

4. What are some of the reasons an application could be unsuccessful?

• Applicants' application is not aligned with the program objectives.
• Applicants failed to submit a full multi-year budget for the entire performance periods and budget narratives, as required by the BAA.
• Applicants failed to submit a complete application.

 

5. Will there be a preapplication teleconference?

Yes. MBDA will conduct a series of pre-application teleconferences from 2:00-3:00pm Eastern time on the following dates with focus areas noted below:

• May 5 – General competition information, key changes from previous competitions and key dates, live Question and Answer session 
• May 12 – Program priorities and objectives with examples, live Question and Answer session
• May 19 – Measuring success and budget pitfalls to avoid, live Question and Answer session

Participants must register at least 24 hours in advance of the teleconference. Click here to register and view recordings of the teleconferences, as well as other additional information.

 

6. How many awards will be made pursuant to this BAA?

Pursuant to this funding opportunity MBDA expects to make a total of six awards. MBDA expects to make at least one award for each of the following types of eligible institutions(as outlined in the BAA):

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) (otherwise known as Part B Institutions as defined in 20 USC § 1061)
• Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) (as defined in 20 U.S.C. § 1101a)
• Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) (as defined in 20 U.S.C. § 1059c)
• Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (NHSIs) (as defined in 20 U.S.C. § 1059d(b))
• Alaska Native Serving Institutions (ANSIs) (as defined in 20 USC § 1059d(b))

 

7. Who may apply for this funding opportunity?  

The applicants eligible to apply for this funding opportunity are:

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) (otherwise known as Part B Institutions as defined in 20 USC § 1061)
• Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) (as defined in 20 U.S.C. § 1101a)
• Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) (as defined in 20 U.S.C. § 1059c)
• Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (NHSIs) (as defined in 20 U.S.C. § 1059d(b))
• Alaska Native Serving Institutions (ANSIs) (as defined in 20 USC § 1059d(b))

Note: Projects must be located in the U.S. or any U.S. territory, including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. MBDA is not authorized to provide awards to individuals under this BAA, and applications from individuals will not be considered under this request. Award funds cannot be used to make investments in individual businesses.

 

8. My organization is a Minority Serving Institution with a designation that is outside of the list of eligible entities listed in the BAA.  Am I eligible to apply for funding under BAA?  Would MBDA consider a petition to enlarge the list of eligible entities?

MBDA does not make individual determinations on applicant eligibility during the pre-application process.  Potential applicants are encouraged to use their best judgment and carefully review the list of eligible entities in the BAA and the statutory definitions for each category of eligible entity, which are referenced in the BAA.  MBDA is not considering expanding the eligibility criteria for this BAA, but MBDA issues other funding opportunities throughout the fiscal year for which other entities are eligible to apply. 

 

9. What does the initial application screening consist of?

Prior to the merit review, each application will receive an initial administrative screening to ensure that all required forms, signatures, and documents are present. An application will not be evaluated by the review panel if:

a)         The application is received after the closing date;

b)         The application package is not complete;

c)         The project fails to address program objectives and priorities (see BAA Section I);

d)         The principal purpose of the activities in the application is to provide a direct benefit or service to MBDA.

 

10. How will my application be scored?

All complete applications will be reviewed by at least three individuals and scored against the Merit Review criteria provided in Section VIII(B)(2) (MBDA Merit Review Panel), of the BAA. Applications will receive a score out of a possible 100 points.

 

11. What are the merit criteria for this program?  

Applicants should review the BAA for a complete breakdown of the merit criteria for this funding opportunity. The number of points that can be earned for each category of criteria is listed below, with 100 points being the maximum total that can be earned. The BAA further allocates points within each broad category.

Impact of Proposed Project (40 points)

Applicant Capability (25 points)

Applicant Budget (35 points)

    

12. How do selection factors impact the merit review score?

The merit review score is used to rank applicants based on how well the application met the merit review criteria identified in the BAA. The Selection Advisory Panel may recommend to the Selecting Official an application for an award outside of the rank order based on one or more selection factors identified in the BAA.

          

13. What are the selection factors for this BAA?    

The selection factors for this funding opportunity are:

• The availability of funds;
• The extent to which the application meets the overall objectives and priorities of the program as provided in Section I.A and B;
• The performance of the applicant under previous Federal financial assistance awards, as well as the performance of any third parties the applicant identifies who will be responsible for carrying out a substantial portion of the project;
• The project’s likelihood to educate the intended audience of minority entrepreneurs and anticipated potential number of minority entrepreneurs impacted;
• The extent to which the minority-serving institution will use these funds to lay the foundation for the establishment of entrepreneurial programming and institutional advancement and that will, in turn, lead to improved endowments for students and entrepreneurs for years to come
• Location of the project in or adjacent to an area that is federally designated as an area of distress or serving a State or region that has a significant population of socially or
• economically disadvantaged individuals;
• Operator diversity – e.g. Type of MSI - HBCU, HSI, TCU, NHSI, ANSI; size; location; experience.

 

14. What is the project/award period?    

MBDA expects to issue awards for a total term of two years from October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2024

 

15. When is the submission deadline?      

The original deadline has been extended. All proposals must be received on or before June 3, 2022 at 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time (E.T). Applications may be submitted starting from the publication date of this BAA up to the deadline above. Applications received after this time will not be reviewed or considered for funding. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov.

      

Budget

16. How much should I budget for the project?

The funding amount for each award in FY 2022 will be approximately $300,711. MBDA anticipates a similar level of funding will be available in FY 2023 to support continuation funding for the second budget period of those selected projects.

  

16. Should the budget reflect funds allotted by year or for the entire period of performance?

For the Budget narrative and the Standard Form 424A (Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs) you should submit information for EACH budget year, including a separate SF_424A for each year

 

17. Can I charge indirect costs to this project? How do applicants without a current or pending negotiated indirect cost rate agreement account for indirect costs in the Budget Narrative?

If indirect costs are included in the project budget, the applicant must include documentation to support the indirect cost rate it is using by submitting a copy of its current, approved negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA). See BAA Section IV at page 14 (Indirect Cost Rate Agreement) for full details.

If the applicant does not have a current or pending NICRA, the applicant can elect to apply the 10 percent de minimis rate to modified total direct costs (MTDC). The definition of MTDC can be found at 2 CFR 200.1. If electing to use the de minimis rate, the applicant should include a statement in the budget narrative stating that is does not have a current (or provisional) negotiated indirect rate and is electing to charge the de minimis rate (see 2 CFR § 200.414(f)).

If the applicant would like to apply for a NICRA the applicant will be required to obtain such a rate in accordance with Section B.06 of the Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions, dated November 12, 2020 available at this link.

 

18. What is the cost-sharing requirement? 

Cost-sharing is not required.

 

19. Will we be expected to attend each conference for each budget year?

For each budget year, applicants should include in their SF 424A budget forms and budget narrative travel costs for (2) key personnel to attend the events included below. The conference location may vary, and applicants should use their judgment, but we recommend budgeting approximately $1,500 per person per conference to cover travel and hotel expenses and registration, where relevant. In the event that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause limitations on travel and gatherings, the event(s) will be virtual.

• Minority Enterprise Development Week
  • MED week expenses include travel and registration
• National Training Conference
  • Expenses include travel (no conference registration costs) and the duration of the conference is approximately 2-3 days.
• NOAA Grants Management Workshop – Year 1 only
  • Expenses include travel (no conference registration costs) and the duration of the conference is approximately 2-3 days.

 

Application

20. What must be included in an application for this competition?   

Applicant should review the entire BAA to understand what is required for an application to be considered for funding. Applications that fail to include all the necessary elements may not be reviewed or considered and may be disqualified.  A complete application packet consists of the following forms and required submissions described below.  See Section IV.B and Section V.A of the BAA for further details about each required application component.

• A title page
• Table of contents
• Applicant narrative (including a description of the project, applicant capability, and project goals and objectives)
• Supporting Documents
• Standard Forms and Budget Narrative (including Standard Application Forms, budget narrative, required travel items, indirect cost rate agreement- if applicable)

Applicants should review the BAA to understand formatting requirements and substantive requirements within each component of the application. Applicants that fail to include a title page will have 5 points deducted from their merit review score.  Similarly, applicants that fail to include a table of contents will have 5 points deducted from their merit review score.   Applicants that fail to include an applicant narrative, standard forms, or budget narrative will be disqualified.
 

21. What supporting documents must be included in an application for this program?

Applicants should review the entire BAA to understand what suggested and/or required supporting documents should be submitted as part of their application. For example, the applicant should provide in the Supporting Documents section of the application a bio or resume showing relevant experience of the applicant’s key leader(s), for example President/CEO to oversee the success of the proposed project, as well as for the key project personnel who will lead the project.

 

Program Objectives and Priorities

22. What is the primary program objective that must be addressed in an application for this Minority College and Universities funding opportunity?

The primary objective for this funding opportunity is to provide to eligible entities funding for entrepreneurship programs, including curricula, courses, seminars, and replicable products and tools, that teach students how to develop businesses and commercialize products and services in the domestic and global marketplace. The curricula should be designed to stimulate and accelerate entrepreneurial skill sets in support of the development of minority business enterprises. BAA Section 1.A for a complete description of the program objectives for this funding opportunity.

 

23. What are the program priorities that must be addressed in an application for this Minority College and Universities funding opportunity?

These projects shall prioritize the entrepreneurial training and business preparation of undergraduates and the unique challenges faced by MBE entrepreneurs through the expansion of entrepreneurial curriculum offered by HBCUs, HSIs, TCUs, ANSIs, and NHSIs.  For more information about each of these three categories see Section I.B. of the BAA.

 

24. Where must applicants address program objectives and program priorities within the application?

Applicants must address the program objectives and program priorities in the applicant narrative. See Section IV.B.3 of the BAA for more detailed information.

Applicants must include a time-phased plan for the development and implementation of their entrepreneurship program. The timing of goals should take into consideration the academic planning cycle. To ensure success in meeting proposed performance goals, for each year of the proposal for the measures listed above, the applicant should ensure alignment of their activities and anticipated impact.

 

25. Can you share a list of the existing grant recipients, if any?

The current grantees are listed on our website here. They include: University of Hawaii, Miami Dade College, Salish Kootenai College, and Savannah State University.

 

26. Can any of the project funding be used to fund student scholarships? 

Project funding must be used in service of creating or expanding an entrepreneurship program, not to benefit individual students.

 

27.  Can any of the project funding be used for student entrepreneur pitch competition and prizes?

The project funding can be applied to student entrepreneur pitch competitions, as part of the applicant’s entrepreneurship programming, but may not be used to fund student prizes.

 

28. Is the proposed project required to result in a degree or credit-bearing certificate?

No, neither a degree or a credit-bearing certificate is required.

 

29. Can the project funding be used to create curricula for graduate students?

No, this BAA is focused on developing entrepreneurship curricula for undergraduate students.

 

30.  Is the project funding and associated programming restricted to students of the grant recipient university, or can the project funding and programming be used to support entrepreneur development for students outside the grant recipient university, i.e., can University X provide entrepreneur training for students of University Y?

The project funding is intended to develop entrepreneurship programming for undergraduate students of the eligible institutes of higher learning, specifically focused on building skills for successfully facing the unique challenges faced by minority business enterprises and minority entrepreneurs. MBDA encourages applicants to explain how their proposed project design (including funding determinations) enhance the proposed project’s ability to meet the program objectives listed in the BAA.

 

31. What are the performance measures and goals?

The applicant must propose a project that clearly defines a plan for the entrepreneurship program to be developed, taught, and delivered to students. The proposed activities should be designed to deliver impact aligned with the following performance measures:

• Number of Entrepreneurship Courses Taught – A quantitative estimate of the number of entrepreneurship courses, seminars, and apprenticeships that will be taught based on the curriculum/entrepreneurial program established.
• Number of Students Impacted – Quantify how many students will benefit from the training, programming, courses, and activities associated with the project.
• Number of Product/Service Innovations Created – Quantify how many products/service innovations will be created by students participating in the Project programming.
• Number of Strategic Partners – Quantify how many strategic partners you anticipate collaborating with to carry out the deliverables associated with the success of the Project. These might include public and private sector entities.
• Number of Business Plans – Quantify how many business plans you anticipate students will deliver based on their product/service innovation(s).

Applicants must include a time-phased plan for the development and implementation of their entrepreneurial program. The timing of goals should take into consideration the academic planning cycle. To ensure success in meeting proposed performance goals, for each year of the proposal for the measures listed above, the applicant should ensure alignment of their activities and anticipated impact.

 

32. Where must an applicant address project performance measures and goals in the application?

In the applicant narrative, applicants are required to address the project goals and objectives.  The applicant must propose annual goals for each year of the proposal; including a break-down of the goals in semi-annual increments (e.g., first six-months and twelve-months). The Applicant should include the following:

(1) A detailed description of the methodology or evidence that was used to propose the semi-annual and annual goals; and identification of key assumptions and/or risks that may impact the Applicant’s ability to meet or exceed the goals.

(2) Proposed contingency plans and/or strategies for meeting proposed goals if or when Applicant falls behind in meeting program objectives.

(3) The organization’s process for monitoring the accomplishment of goals and objectives.

The process should include minimum program measures commensurate with the definitions in the “Performance Measures and Goals” section of the BAA.

 

Post-award Reports

33. What are the reports that each project is required to provide?

The project is required to provide the following reports:

• Reviews - MBDA will conduct performance assessments every six months from

the start date of the project. MBDA will monitor the project throughout the funding award period and maintain open communications with key project staff. As such, a member of the project team is required to enter performance measure outcomes within three (3) business days of an activity or outcome. The level of monitoring will be dependent on the awarded applicant’s proposed breakdown of measures, milestones (e.g., outputs and outcomes), and goals.

• Reporting Requirements - The project is required to provide the following reports:

a. Financial Reports –The financial report shall include details on the use of Federal funds and contributions of non-Federal funds (if proposed). The financial reports are to be submitted to the Department of Commerce via Grants Online on a semi-annual and annual basis. The semi-annual and annual reports are due thirty (30) days after the end of the initial six-month period in each funding period. The final report is due within one-hundred twenty (120) days after the expiration of the award.

• Progress Report – Progress reports are to be submitted to the Department of Commerce via Grants Online on a semi-annual and annual basis. The semi-annual report is due forty-five (45) days after the end of the initial six-month period in each funding period. The final report is due within one hundred twenty (120) days after the expiration of the award. The periodic reports must include data and information to determine project progression and success. MBDA will rely on these reports, data, and information as evidence for success stories, future program design, policy recommendations, and/or statistical purposes.

Note: failure to submit reports in a timely manner may result in MBDA award enforcement and/or delayed access to Federal funds.

• Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 Reporting - The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, 31 U.S.C. 6101 note, includes a requirement for awardees of applicable federal grants to report information about first-tier sub-awards and executive compensation under Federal assistance awards. All awardees of applicable grants and cooperative agreements are required to report to the Federal Sub-award Reporting System (FSRS) available at FSRS.gov on all sub-awards over $30,000. Please see the OMB guidance published at 2 CFR Parts 170 and 200, which can be accessed at ECFR.gov.   
• Restrictions Governing Making Grants to Corporations Convicted of Felony Criminal Violations and/or Unpaid Federal Tax Liabilities - In accordance with current Federal appropriations law, execution by an applicant of the Representation by Corporations Regarding an Unpaid Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction Under Any Federal Law may be required in a format requested by NOAA before any award will be made under this BAA. Note: This information is a required Representation and Certification within SAM.