General Information
Overview
Pesticide Education Resources Collaborative (PERC) is seeking applications for Agricultural Community-Based Projects (AgCBP) that will serve farmworkers, agricultural pesticide handlers, their families, and/or their communities by contributing to the safe use of pesticides and/or working safely in areas where pesticides are used.
The PERC Advisory Board will select up to six projects to be funded by August of 2024, pending amounts requested by successful applicants. Successful applicants will have up to two years to complete their projects (no later than July 31, 2026). Identical projects will not be funded more than once but could be considered if the same project addresses a different target audience or subject matter focus.
Available Funds
Available funds: up to $450,000 in 2024
Minimum request: $25,000
Maximum request: $150,000
Who May Apply?
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations as defined by 2 CFR 200.1 “Nonprofit organization.” EPA’s Office of Grants and Debarment has authorized PERC to use the Tax Exempt Organization Search Tool to assist in confirming the nonprofit status of an applying organization. If an applying organization cannot confirm their nonprofit status using this tool, then they should contact the Internal Revenue Service to make certain their entity can eventually be listed there. Some universities are eligible nonprofit organizations and others are not listed. Refer to the tax-exempt search tool provided in the RFA. If the Employer Identification Number (EIN) of your organization appears, then it’s determined to be eligible to apply. Applicants who engage in lobbying activities are not eligible to apply. Collaboration with other organizations is welcome but there can only be a single applicant (lead organization) to receive payments from UC Regents, and that lead organization will handle compensating collaborators as their budget allows. Please make sure the lead organization that applies meets the nonprofit status as required in the RFA. Important: Before applying, organizations must also make certain that they hold a current System for Award Management (SAM) registration and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI.) Information regarding obtaining a UEI and registering in SAM is available here. If an entity lacks a current SAM/UEI, then PERC will not be able to fund their project.
Eligible applicants must:
- Be capable of carrying out a local or regional project with focus on a certain subject and a specific group of participants
- Have experience/expertise related to the health and safety of farmworkers, agricultural pesticide handlers, their families, or communities. An agricultural community might be described by its language, its location, its cropping systems, or other boundaries/definitions. For example, one project might serve Haitian farmworkers near the Gulf Coast, migrant workers that follow a specific “stream” from harvest to harvest, or a group of Russian-speaking vegetable harvesters. Applicants can be national in scope so long as the projects themselves are conducted at the local or regional level
- Have established relationships/trust with the community to be served,
- And must propose a new project that differs from work already being done by your organization.
Potential applicants are encouraged to partner with organizations who have existing relationships or expertise in certain areas (such as pesticide safety, pesticide training, or evaluation experience), if needed.
Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP) Members: If you belong to AFOP under the National Farmworker Training Program (NFTP) and apply for this funding, the project must support different activities than those funded by NFTP.
Key Dates
- RFA Opens / Release Date: November 1, 2023
- RFA Information Session: November 16, 2023 from 9:30-10:30am PST. Register here
- RFA Closes / Applications Due: February 1, 2024 by 5:00 pm PST. Applications received after the closing date and time will not be considered for funding.
- Anticipated selection notification and pre-award processing: May 2, 2024
- Anticipated funding date: August 1, 2024
Desired Outcomes
The term “outcome” means the result, effect or consequence that will occur from carrying out the project. Applicants may choose to perform one of the projects listed OR propose a different project that supports at least one of the following desired outcomes; examples are provided for information only. Outcomes may not necessarily be achievable within the funding period.
Desired Outcome #1: Educate farmworkers and/or agricultural pesticide handlers on the safe use of pesticides.
Desired Outcome #2: Enhance the capabilities of partners to develop and implement programs/activities that prevent and reduce pesticide risks to communities of farmworkers and agricultural pesticide handlers.
Desired Outcome #3: Protect humans, communities, and ecosystems from illness and injury caused by exposure to pesticides.
Proposed projects must support at least one of the above desired outcomes. While projects may support more than one desired outcome, no additional points will be awarded for additional outcomes.
This is a national call for applications and the organization does not need to be from a certain region. Applicants can be national in scope so long as the projects themselves are conducted at the local or regional level. There is no predicted advantage for an application if it were to reach multiple states and regions. The community to be served may be small or large.
Grant funds may not pay for activities outside of the United States and its affiliated territories.
There is no requirement that the projects need to focus on the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) or meet employers’ requirements for annual training.
Performance Measures
Performance measures help monitor productivity and progress of successful processes, outputs and outcome strategies and provide the basis for developing lessons to inform future projects. The description of performance measures will directly relate to the project outcomes and outputs. For example, recipients may be able to report the rate of behavior change in a target community, changes in health/environmental indicators, “ripple effects” (i.e. relationship-building, partner-driven amplification of messages), and/or program efficiency improvements.
These may include, but are not limited to, a timely delivery of one or more of the following:
- A time-bound project plan that includes a plan for tracking and evaluating progress
- High-quality outputs in the format, language, and reading level requested by the target audience
- Completion of requested updates using a stream-lined process
- Data-driven reports that would be of interest/use to others who aim to implement or improve programs that reduce pesticide-related risk
- Evidence of a community need being addressed that has the potential to reduce pesticide-related risk
A collection of example outcomes, outputs, and performance measures are listed in TABLE 1 of the PDF.
About PERC
PERC is funded from 2021-2026 to coordinate the development of pesticide-related educational resources (i.e., manuals, videos, guides) that meet national needs. See our list of projects completed and in-progress. The PERC Advisory Board meets annually to determine priority needs, and monthly to hear from representatives about emerging needs and to gather feedback about PERC products. The materials produced by PERC are intended for use by non-profit educators. Anyone may print and distribute PERC materials at minimal or no cost to the end-recipients. Non-profit educators may request original files in order to modify PERC materials. See our policy here: using PERC's Works.
Evaluation and Selection Criteria
The PERC Advisory Board will evaluate all applications and will score applications using the Application Scoring Rubric (see TABLE 3 linked in PDF). Projects will be evaluated and scored against all applications received. The date of the announcement of the grant recipients is planned for August 2024, pending the number of applications received and the time needed to review them.
How to Apply
Apply by emailing a searchable Adobe PDF document of the application in its entirety to PERCsupport@ucdavis.edu. PERC will email applicants within one business day from the day that we receive completed applications. If applicants do not receive a receipt from PERC, then the applicant should conclude PERC did not receive their application. We encourage applicants to apply well before the deadline. Please direct all inquiries to PERCsupport@ucdavis.edu.
Narrative Proposal
The Narrative Proposal (24-page limit total) must contain all parts, described in this linked PDF, in sequential order as shown. Each page must be numbered, formatted for 8.5 x 11-inch paper, single-spaced and text in 11-point font with 1-inch margins. Electronic files must be named, legible and provided in a searchable Adobe Acrobat PDF or Microsoft Word for Windows document.
Include all the requested information, in the order shown, with sections labeled and within the given page limits. The Cover Page and Executive Summary shall not exceed one page each. The entire application should not exceed 24 pages excluding up to two optional letter(s) of collaboration (see PDF). Each page submitted past the limit will not be considered. There is no page minimum.
For more information on the grant, the process, and the narrative proposal, please click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I be notified that my application was received?
Apply by emailing a PDF document as described in the RFA to PERCsupport@ucdavis.edu. PERC will email applicants within one business day from the day that we receive their application. If applicants do not receive a receipt from PERC, then the applicant should conclude PERC did not receive their application. We encourage applicants to apply well before the deadline.
In the RFA, it says there will be up to six projects selected. What if there are several smaller proposals – could more be selected, if of quality?
If the highest-quality proposals trend smaller than $50K, then it’s possible that PERC will award more projects.
The RFA says eligible applicants include nonprofits as defined by 2 CFR 200.1 and checking the definition it says “Nonprofit organization means any corporation, trust, association, cooperative, or other organization, not including IHEs (Institutions of Higher Education) …” Does this mean that IHEs/Universities don’t meet the definition of a nonprofit and are ineligible for the funds?
Based on PERC’s experimentation with the tax-exempt tool, it appears that some
universities are eligible nonprofit organizations and others are not. Refer to the
tax-exempt search tool provided in the RFA. If the Employer Identification Number (EIN) of your organization appears, then it’s determined to be eligible to apply.
Is this a national call for applications? Does the organization need to be from a certain region?
This is a national call for applications and the organization does not need to be from
a certain region. Applicants can be national in scope so long as the projects themselvesare conducted at the local or regional level.
Is there an advantage to reach multiple states or regions? I am considering a state-specific program, but afraid it will not be strong enough to compete for national dollars.
There is no predicted advantage for an application if it were to reach multiple states
and regions. The RFA states that the projects themselves should be conducted at the
local or regional level. The community to be served may be small or large.
Could a training happen outside of the U.S. for farmworkers that will be entering the U.S. to work?
EPA has confirmed that these grant funds may not pay for activities outside of the
United States and its territories.
Do all project activities need to occur in the U.S.?
EPA has confirmed that these grant funds may not pay for activities outside of the
United States and its territories.
If the grantee represents a tax-exempt organization, can it hire a subcontractor who is not a tax-exempt organization to accomplish a specific part of the project, for example, surveys?
If a grantee hires a service vendor, then that vendor doesn’t have to be a nonprofit.
If the applicant applies for a certain funding amount, is it possible that they would be awarded less than the requested amount, or would the determination of funding be simply yes or no?
PERC is not able to determine that until an application has been reviewed.
The application only needs to focus on one of the three (1of 3) outcomes, correct?
Yes. Proposed projects may support only one of the following desired outcomes,
although some projects may support more than one.
The RFA states applications should be 24 pages maximum. My application will be shorter. Does PERC prefer it to be longer?
There is no page minimum.
Could we use PERC resources or do we have to create the content to be distributed?
If your project aims to distribute materials, you may use PERC resources, or create,
and/or distribute educational resources from any source to best meet the needs of the target community.
Do we have to provide the WPS certification required by some states?
There is no requirement that the projects need to focus on the Worker Protection
Standard (WPS) or meet employers’ requirements for annual training.
How do I find out if my organization is eligible to apply?
Use the tax-exempt tool at this URL:
https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/tax-exempt-organization-search.
Who will be our contact for future questions about the RFA?
Please direct all inquiries to PERCsupport@ucdavis.edu.
Does there have to be ONE lead organization, and any other collaborators are listed as subcontractors?
We welcome collaboration but there can only be a single applicant (lead
organization) who receives payments from UC Regents, and that lead organization
will handle compensating collaborators as their budget allows. Please make sure the
lead organization that applies meets the nonprofit status as required in the RFA.
If we are the lead organization for the grant and the application collaborates with other organizations, where do we put the other organizations in our budget and how do we classify them?
For your budget, depending on what type of organizations you are collaborating with,
subcontractors are most likely be classified as “Contractual”.
If we apply for a larger amount of funds and our project is given a good score but PERC does not have the funds for such a large project, would they be willing to provide a lower amount if aims and scope are modified?
The PERC Advisory Board has not indicated a preference for larger or smaller
requests. There has been no discussion about renegotiating proposals, but it’s a
possible outcome depending on the Board’s deliberations.
Our project may involve creating a new resource. Can we put in our budget money for an academic person to review new resources created?
It is permissible to hire others for review time. To hire academic reviewers, you may
budget for contractual services in the “Contractual” category. The specific reviewers
may or may not be identified at the time of the proposal.
If we have worked with PERC Advisory Board members in the past but none that are current, do we still need to mention this in our application?
Please mention all the potential connections you have that may create a real or perceived conflict of interest. It’s relevant to share the nature of your connection and its duration/timing.
Can projects cover several states and be considered regional?
Yes, regional projects may include one or several states.
Are regional projects being prioritized over local projects?
Regional projects are not being prioritized over local projects. One does not take priority over the other.
How do I propose a project and make it clear to funders that our program can be done as a small startup pilot for less money or has the option to be funded for a full project for more money given the availability of funds?
Please choose the scale you are proposing and apply for funding. Please note in your application if you are flexible in the scale of the operation and briefly how that might change your program/budget/people reached. (i.e., would the budget be doubled
and the position hired full time/more people served?)
How does the ownership of copyrights work when applying for the AgCBP grant? Does the copyright ownership apply to all materials generated within the grant?
The University of California (UC) Regents will retain the copyright for any new materials created as a result of funded projects. Currently, it is PERC’s policy to share educational materials with anyone according to a noncommercial, share-alike license with attribution. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.315, PERC will make all new programs/resources available at no cost, to the fullest extent possible.
Can an organization that is in the process of obtaining an active SAM registration and UEI apply for the program?
Before applying, organizations must make certain that they hold a current System for Award Management (SAM) registration and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
What kind of projects have been previously funded?
PERC has funded a variety of projects in the east, west, north, and south. Browse a summary of ongoing projects here.
If selected as a grant recipient, how many payments can be expected and when are the payments made?
The PERC Agricultural Community-Based Project allows applicants to apply for projects ranging from 1-2 years, depending on the preference of the applying organization. If your organization is selected, it will be paid quarterly after receipt of the quarterly report and invoice from your organization.
Terms and Conditions
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Programmatic |
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The recipient agrees to comply with the current EPA General Terms and Conditions available at: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-09/fy_2023_epa_general_terms_and_conditions_effective_october_1_2023_or_later.pdf Please note if selected for funding, the nonprofit organization must have a current System for Award Management (SAM) registration and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Information regarding obtaining a UEI and registering in SAM is available here. If an entity lacks a current SAM/UEI designation, then PERC will not be able to fund their project. Any sub-recipient (Agricultural Community-Based Project subaward recipient) in addition to the recipient (PERC 2.0) must comply with the “EPA Programmatic Terms and Conditions” and the current EPA general terms and conditions available at: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-09/fy_2023_epa_general_terms_and_conditions_effective_october_1_2023_or_later.pdf These terms and conditions are in addition to the assurances and certifications made as a part of the award and the terms, conditions, or restrictions cited throughout the award. The recipient (PERC 2.0) must comply with applicable provisions of 2CFR Part 200 and the EPA Subaward Policy, which may be found at: https://epa.gov/grants/epa-subaward-policy. PERC plans to award up to $450,000 for this funding opportunity pending PERC’s full award amount from EPA. PERC reserves the right to make awards greater than $150,000 according to the proposal's scope and transferability. |
In addition to the above Terms and Conditions that apply to EPA grantees and subawardees, EPA Programmatic Conditions also apply. These include but are not limited to:
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