Practicum Partnership Program: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ'S)

Budget-Related

1. Does the match have to be the same amount each year?

ANSWER: No, the amount of the match does not have to be the same every year. The aggregate of the match over the three years of requested funding must be, at a minimum, a one-to-one match for the amount of your request to NYAM. The idea of the match is to ensure sustainability for your PPP over time - please explain your rationale fully in your budget narrative.

2. Whom should we ask to support the match? For example, do the matching funds have to be supported by our university, or can the match be supported by our university and a private organization, such as a private foundation?

ANSWER: The matching funds can absolutely be supported by the university and a private organization or foundation. The goal is to have a variety of entities invest whatever sustainable means can continue the PPP at your institution, so a mix of sources can strengthen this plan considerably.

3. What about indirect costs— do they count as a match? The PPP requires a match of at least 1:1, and does not allow any indirect costs to be requested. So, can our university count the indirect costs towards the match that we would have requested from the program?

ANSWER: No, indirect costs cannot count as a match— just direct costs.

4. Are we required to have matching funds in place when we apply? Additionally, will the SWLI help applicants on how to get matching funds raised for the proposed programs?

ANSWER: No, upon application you do not have to have confirmed matching funding in place. You do need to submit your plan for obtaining matching funding with your application. By the middle to end of the first year however, we will expect that the matching funding will be in place.

5. Can our PPP list other stipends as sources for sustaining our PPP? We were thinking of doing this through Americorp stipends

ANSWER: If the stipends currently exist at your school, but are being redirected solely for the PPP, they can be counted towards the matching requirement. However, the idea of the PPP is to develop new sources of funding for your initiative, as opposed to relying on ones you already have. We encourage you to develop new sources of funding as a "new commitment" to your PPP; and if you are funded, you will receive technical assistance from SWLI in planning for a range of funding sources.

6. The RFP states that program staff are required to attend a two-day training session post-funding, as well as an annual grantee meeting. Should costs for this be budgeted in the application, and when will these meetings take place?

ANSWER: You do not need to budget for your travel to these two meetings - SWLI will pay for this. However, please reserve April 10 -11, 2006 for the Cycle 2 Orientation days, which will be in NYC.

7. Indirect costs are not allowed on the funds requested— however, would we be allowed to use indirect costs as matching or cost sharing, along with indirect on the cost share funds themselves?

ANSWER: No, we are not able to allow indirect costs to be factored in the grant, either in the budget or in the match.

8. For consortium applications, how is funding allocated to the different schools?

ANSWER: There should be one application from the consortium. Within this one application, there should be separate budgets, budget narratives and demographic information for each school.

9. Are there funds for salaries, and what is allowed under salaries?

ANSWER: Yes, if your program design supports the need for salaries.

10. Is there a limit for funding student stipends and graduate assistants?

ANSWER: No, however stipends ought to be consistent with your region and needs for recruitment of students.

11. The application requests that we budget funds to attend a national conference. Please explain.

ANSWER: If attending national conferences is part of your dissemination plan, then budget accordingly.

Please feel free to contact Jeannine Melly at jmelly@nyam.org or at (212) 822-7346 for budget related questions, or any additional technical assistance you may need.