2022-23 Small Grants Program
The Tourette Association of America (TAA), in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is pleased to release the RFP for the 2022-2023 Small Grants Program. All TAA Centers of Excellence, Chapters and Support Groups are invited to apply for a grant of up to $15,000.
GRANT PURPOSE:
This grant program is designed to assist TAA’s Chapters, Support Groups, and Centers of Excellence in facilitating community interactions through organized community events, conferences, or meetings focusing on Tourette Syndrome awareness, education, and support.
Due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the TAA recommends programs and activities that can be adapted into virtual programs, in the event in-person gatherings are restricted or limited in the number of people allowed to attend. While this is not required, it is recommended that applicants have a contingency plan.
TIMELINE:
- Application release date: Friday, November 4, 2022
- Informational webinar: Thursday November 17, 2022, at 3:00pm EST. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwpduuhpzorGtXfKEloJhHDe-e5J9aO8-5y
- Applications due: Monday, December 5, 2022
- Applicants will be notified of acceptance by Tuesday, December 27, 2022
- Signed forms for accepted grants due Tuesday, January 3, 2023
- Grant checks will be distributed in mid-January, reflecting 50% of the award, upon submission of a signed acceptance form. The remaining 50% of the award will be distributed upon the submission of a progress report.
- Progress report forms will be distributed in mid-March 2023 and are due Friday, April 21, 2023.
- Grant activities must be completed, and any remaining funding must be returned before July 31, 2023.
- Final report forms will be distributed early June 2023 and must be completed and submitted no later than July 31, 2023.
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- All active TAA Centers of Excellence, Chapters, and Support Groups are eligible for this grant opportunity.
- TAA Centers of Excellence are required to partner with a Chapter, Support Group, or community-based organization. While it is not required, Chapters and Support Groups are encouraged to partner with a Center of Excellence, if there is one in their area. If you are interested in partnering with a Chapter, Support Group or CofE, please contact Brenda Peart ([email protected]).
GRANT ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS:
All proposed programs must meet the following requirements:
- Proposed activities must focus on information and support, health communication and promotion and education about Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders.
- Proposed activities/programs must be free of charge for all participants.
- Attendance must be taken at all grant-funded events.
- Attendees must complete an evaluation.
- Funding must be used explicitly to support the programs and activities described in the grant application, without exception. Funding may not be used for food or beverage.
- Grantees must obtain approval of public facing events and materials associated with this grant. This includes the approval of all materials, scripts and speakers.
- Speaker honorariums must not exceed $500 per speaker.
- Grantees must complete and submit an electronic progress report before their scheduled event.
- Grantees must notify TAA by April 15, 2023, if they anticipate they will not spend all of their budget.
- Grantees will complete and submit an electronic final report, including all backup documentation, after their activities have concluded, on or by July 31, 2023.
- Failure to spend all funding or complete all activities could impact future ability to receive funding.
- Please note: Grant recipients will not be given an extension to complete their activities. Please only apply if you can meet the deadline of July 31, 2023.
The Small Grants Program, funded by the Center of Disease Control (CDC,) is used to fund TAA active Chapters and affiliated Support Groups & Centers of Excellence to provide education, awareness, and support within their communities. Awardees are selected based on the submission of a competitive application which is reviewed by the TAA Research and Medical Staff, and the TAA-CDC Staff.
Interested groups submit a proposal that indicates how the funds will be spent towards education and promoting TS awareness within their communities. Whether conducting a meeting with a speaker, sending members or teens to a workshop, or holding a booth at a local fair or conference, etc., programs within underserved communities are highly encouraged.
To qualify, the selected group needs to be in good standing and not on the disbarment list for federal funds. Awardees also need to have an appropriate way to keep track of the funds and proper controls in place to safeguard the funds. The awardee should have procedures in place to show proper separation of duties and approval authority.
The selected groups are required to sign an acceptance form and the first half of the granted amount is disbursed at this time. Midway through the year, the grantees are required to submit a progress report detailing their progress and receipts for any money already spent. Upon receipt of the progress report, we verify that the project is progressing as planned. Upon verification, the second half of the granted amount is disbursed. A final report, detailing the grant year activities and money spent, is required to be sent to close out the grant year. If the full granted amount is not spent at the end of the year, the awardee is required to send the remainder of money back to TAA.
As part of the verification process for the mid-year progress and final reports, we check that:
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expenditures are following applicable laws, regulations, and specifications of the grant;
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invoice amounts are accurate and if in accordance with budget;
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proper approval from Chapter lead or project lead are on the invoice;
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reports are submitted timely; and
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all charges are accompanied by the appropriate backup. (Receipts and maps indicating mileage)
Appropriate backup is detailed below:
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Copies of all paid invoices
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Detail of all travel charges
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Payroll Registers
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Time and effort reports
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Credit card receipts
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Copy of institution’s Single Audit [this only applies to institutions that receive(d) more than $750,000 in federal funds].
