Welcome to the Regional Hub Expansion RFP Frequently Asked Questions page. This is a living document, so please make sure to check back and see if your question has been added.
If it has not, do not hesitate to reach out to KF Flynn at [email protected].
What is the deadline of the RFP?
The RFP deadline has been extended from December 22nd, 2023 to January 16, 2024, 11:59PM PT.
What is the page limit?
The page limit for the immediate application is 15 pages. Letters of support, collaboration, LSAMP affirmation, and budget narrative should be submitted as appendixes. Please see below for direct indication of body verses appendixes.
| Part of Application | Location |
| A | Body |
| B | Body |
| C | Body |
| D | Appendix |
| E | Appendix |
| F | Body |
| G | Body |
| H | Appendix |
| I | Appendix |
| J | Appendix |
| K | Body |
Can this proposal be a co-submit from several institutions?
We would love a collective proposal from institutions committed to working together. This is a great way to have a very strong application. This being said, there needs to be an identified lead institution that we can directly work with in regards to NSF funding and budget, as this will be considered a subaward. It should noted that the lead applicant should be an LSAMP associated institution.
Are the regional hubs responsible for recruiting stEm PEERs?
Regional Hubs and stEm PEERs work in a symbiotic relationship. In the statement of work for the Regional Hubs Leadership, and the Regional Hub are responsible for recruiting stEm PEERs from their region. That being said, interested parties naturally come forward from the community. stEm PEERs are also located in areas without a defined regional hub.
stEm PEER Academy is a resource and a professional development opportunity for mid-level professionals. Consider the recruitment of stEm PEERs, really the advertising and spreading the word of this amazing development opportunity.
Can Regional Hubs raise their own funding to support regional efforts?
An application that has identified ways of raising their own funding will be looked at favorably. Each area of the Engineering PLUS Alliance has a responsibility to look at ways to improve the sustainability of the Alliance and its long-term endeavors. This mentality extends into the Regional Hubs, where we are already seeing new professional and industrial partnerships and relationships growing. The central body of the Engineering PLUS Alliance, and our Director for Industry Partnerships and Business Development, Tim Enright, should be informed and consulted to ensure proper collective knowledge and ensure overlapping efforts are identified.
Can you provide information about partnerships?
Partnerships are a large part of the Engineering PLUS Alliance.
Please check out this page for our list of collaborating organizations.
Do all members of regional hubs need to be higher ed institutions? For example, have you worked with K-12 institutions?
As of right now, we are only working with institutions of higher learning. That being said, we are working with institutions who are building bridge programs and other K-20 pipelines in their communities. This would, again be a great addition to an RFP application. Within our Regional Hubs and our stEm PEER community, we have several individuals applying and looking for grants and work related to K-12 and the K-20 pipeline. Please check out our stEm PEER page for more information on their impact plans and what their projects entail.
What is the amount of funding that my application may receive if selected?
The current first year funding of a regional hub will be dependent on hub launch date and prorated against the fiscal year. That being said, funding can be expected up to a maximum of $180,000. More information will be posted on this page soon outlining finance specifics related to this subaward.
Can there be Principal Investigators from outside of the Engineering field?
There could be people from the STEM field, but ideally with an Engineering Background. There definitely should be engineering representation among the senior personnel.
Is there funding for subsequent years, or just for the first year?
The funding is intended to last until the end of the grant period in 2026. It is not guaranteed, but we are working with KPS 5 – Sustainability, to gather fundings to continue this initiative after 2026. Also consider that the yearly budget runs from July to June.
How do we approach all the institutions within our Region?
To approach this aspirational goal, we consider: LSAMP affiliations, the type of institution and the stEm PEERs. The NSF has also asked to recruit HBCU, Hispanic and Native American serving institutions too.
Are there limitations regarding how funds can be used?
The funds are primarily intended to serve two explicit purposes: to pay salaries of PI, CO-PI and other administrative roles, to conduct regional business such as recruitement, professional development opportunities, meetings, retreats, convenings, conference presentation submissions, and other Hub operational needs. Transparency is key.
How are the responsibilities distributed once the Hubs are formed?
We have Impact Working Groups that include graduate and undergrad students, stEm PEERs – with quarterly convenings, sharing of best practices and shared data through CIDER through a collaborative model. Administrative structures are set up Hub by Hub based on needs, personnel, and structure of that area.
Can you share more information about the regular meetings?
The frequency was decided among team members, and we currently meet once a month for 1 hour and 30 minutes where we usually discuss retention practices. There are also bi-weekly meetings with the leadership to decide how to move forward.
What type of data will be required in terms of working with CIDER?
Cider is approved for human subject research. Most of the research done by the alliance is done through this group (some are led by the Backbone team, usually to gather feedback). The type of data that will be required by CIDER is usually gathered by evaluating agendas, attendance of meetings, or recordings. Most of it, is Level 1 type of data. CIDER then conducts their own human subjects level research.
Is there a need to include an evaluation component in the proposal to track progress towards goals in terms of institutional change and collective impact?
Given the timeframe of the application and its other component, this is not a requirement at this time.
What form of documentation is required to support LSAMP membership?
While being a leader of the LSAMP unit is not a requirement, showing affiliation with other groups related to the alliance’s mission makes the application stronger. There isn’t a strict format to prove the involvement, and a letter is acceptable.