More on Money and TA for Evaluating Fatherhood Programs

I blogged last week about funds that will soon be available from the federal government via the Fatherhood Research and Practice Network (FRPN) to conduct rigorous evaluations of fatherhood program and about free technical assistance (TA) on evaluating fatherhood programs that will be available from the FRPN.

As a member of the FRPN's steering committee of researchers and practitioners, I have a bit of an inside track (legal insider's information) which allows me to give subscribers to this blog a sneak peak into what the FRPN has in store. 

I noted in last week's blog post that an RFP for the first of several rounds of funding would likely be released in later this summer. I learned yesterday during a steering committee meeting that the RFP will be released next week sometime between June 10th and June 12th. So it's time, as they say, to "get on your horse!" All of the tips I offered last week on how to prepare still apply.

Here is the skinny on this round of funding:

• $300,000 will be available for 2-4 awards of between $50,000 and $150,000. Each award can last up to 30 months.
• The first step is to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) by June 30th. (That means you need a really fast horse.)
• The FRPN will notify applicants by August 15th whether they will be invited to submit a full proposal.
• Invited applicants must submit a full proposal by September 30th.
• The FRPN will announce awards by October 31st.

Unfortunately, I can't provide any more details (e.g. specific requirements for the LOI or full proposal) because they're still being tweaked and, frankly, that'd be bad form. The good news is that you have to focus only on completing the LOI by June 30th. LOIs are, typically, just a few pages long. Nevertheless, you will need to have all your ducks in a row so that you can clearly describe your proposed evaluation in the LOI. (Hint: Apply the tips I mentioned and include everything the RFP will require of the LOI.)

The FRPN will release the RFP along with the official launch of the FRPN website (the permanent website link isn't active yet) sometime between June 10th and June 12th. After the website is launched, you'll have the opportunity to sign up for an e-newsletter that will keep you informed about funding and TA available from the FRPN.

Good luck!