Request for
Proposals (RFP)
Open
Immediately
Due: On or
before December 7, 2005
Fund for the
Improvement of Career Development
The R. C.
Reardon Foundation
I. Overview
Career development (or career education) is a comprehensive concept, and the purpose of this fund is to support the creation and evaluation of theory-based programs designed to promote career development. Programs supported by the fund will have five characteristics: (1) comprehensive in scope; (2) responsive to the unmet needs of both individuals and institutions; (3) action oriented, i.e., reform and innovation will be evident; (4) risk taking, e.g., both new and unproved ideas as well as older ideas will be evident; and (5) cost-effectiveness.
II. Project Purposes
Demonstrate the most effective methods and techniques in career development or career education in the following settings: elementary, middle, junior high, or senior high schools; the community college; adult and community education agencies; institutions of higher education; community based organizations; and public or private organizations.
III. Required Application Data
Each application for assistance under this subpart must set forth a detailed plan that includes:
A. Identification of the purpose to which the application is addressed. A single application may address no more than one special setting or population (see II above).
B. An operational plan describing, in detail, exactly how the applicant proposes to achieve the specific purpose addressed in the application and explaining the exemplary nature of the proposed procedures. This operational plan shall include, as a minimum:
(1) The process and learner outcome objectives of the proposed project stated in measurable terms;
(2) Evidence that each objective is based
on documented needs of:
(i) Participants to be served in the specific geographic location of the proposed project;
(ii)
Similar participants in other locations across the nation.
(3) The tasks and strategies to be used to accomplish the stated objectives, including a description of career development theories, processes, techniques, and materials developed in previous projects, which the applicant proposes to utilize in this proposed project; and a description of the measures to be undertaken to insure a high level of interaction between the world-of-education and the world-of-work in implementing the project;
(4) Description of the manner in which the proposed objectives, tasks, and strategies will comprise a comprehensive approach to career development for participants to be involved; and
(5) A set of milestones and dates by which to monitor accomplishment of the proposed tasks.
*C. Specification of prior career development activities, if any, which the applicant has carried out, including data bearing on evaluation of the effectiveness of such prior activities.
D. A specific plan to be utilized in evaluating the accomplishment of each of the process and learner outcome objectives listed, including:
(1) The criterion of success for evaluating
each objective;
(2) The evaluation design to be used for
each objective;
(3) The data collection instruments or
other techniques to be used for each objective;
(4) The data analysis to be conducted for
each objective;
(5) The dates by which data on the various
objectives will be available; and
(6) The evaluation resources of personnel
and budget that will be utilized.
*E. A description of applicant or other additional resources if any, to be contributed to the proposed activities to supplement funds received under this sub-part.
F. A plan for disseminating information to others during the course of the project and at the conclusion of the project funding period.
G. Identification of all proposed staff, their duties, and a description of the qualifications possessed by all proposed professional staff.
*H. Identification of the individuals and groups who participated in the preparation of the application, the extent of their participation, and evidence of their commitment to implement the proposed activities.
*May be omitted for class assignment
IV. Allowable Costs
It is expected that grants and assistance contracts under this subpart will generally not exceed $200,000, although each application will be judged on the basis of the proposed activities.
V. Project Duration
A. Projects will normally be one year in duration. However, applicants should make a realistic estimate of the amount of time needed to implement the proposed project activities. Where this estimate indicates that more or less than one year is necessary, the operational plan and budget should reflect this adjustment.
B. With respect to applications requesting more than one year of funding, it is anticipated that generally an initial grant or assistance contract will be awarded for the first year of the project. In order to be considered for funding for any remaining time period, the grantee or assistance contractor will be required to submit a new application upon announcement of subsequent competition for funding. This new application will be judged on the basis of the published evaluation criteria in competition with other applications received in such subsequent competition.
VI. Submission
A. The
completed written proposal narrative should be submitted on the date
specified. Late submissions will not be
reviewed. The completed proposal should
include a title page, abstract, table of contents, appendices, and items
specified in Section III above.
Single-space the narrative and double space between paragraphs and
around headings. Use 1.5 inch right and
left margins. The completed document
should be fastened with a clip in the upper left corner; do not use a cover
binder.
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