Targeted Rapid Response (TRR) Grants
Application Guidelines

Overview

The overall goal of SAPRP is to support scientifically meritorious and relevant policy research that leads to results that inform the policy making and implementation process. While many of these studies take a longer-term and broader perspective, there is an unmet need for policy analyses that are highly targeted to the more specific and time-sensitive needs of policy making and related organizations that consume research.

Therefore, the goal of this grant making effort is: To support time-sensitive projects that meet a specific policy research need defined by specific consumers (policy maker or related organizations), requiring prompt financial support for initiation and completion. These projects should result in timely insertion of the resulting information into the policy process.

Projects supported under this grant making mechanism must still fit within all the dimensions of the SAPRP mission as articulated in the Call for Proposals. It is particularly important to note that, despite their highly targeted policy relevance and timeliness, these policy analysis projects need to be formulated and undertaken with the same degree of objectivity as other SAPRP research projects.

SAPRP already has a mechanism for funding research projects that are under $100,000 and also timely, but the application process for these grants can take up to 6 months from date of brief proposal submission to project initiation. Ideas and proposals that fit the parameters already in place for grants of under $100,000 and do not require start-up in eight weeks, should not be submitted under the Rapid Response track.

Structure

This grant-making component will be implemented on a pilot basis during 2004 and the grants will have the following major characteristics:

• Total cost of each grant will be up to $30,000; funds will be available for up to six grants during the pilot time period.
• Funding for approved projects will begin approximately eight weeks from submission of brief proposal.
• Most projects should last up to six months, although some may last up to 12 months.
• Typically the projects will be initiated by a policy-making or related organization. The policy-making or related organization will typically enlist a research organization or an individual researcher as a partner.
• These projects do not have to be generalizable beyond the consumer entity's need, although broader generalizability is preferable.

Funding preference will be given to projects that meet the following criteria:

• High and direct policy value
• Highly targeted, small project (can be completed in approximately six months)
• Time-sensitive policy need
• Clearly identified policy consumer(s) of the needed information
• High support and involvement of the identified consumers
• Demonstrate a high degree of objectivity
• Plan for prompt and specific dissemination of findings to identified policy consumer(s)

Application Process

A. Idea Discussion with NPO Staff

Prior to submitting a proposal, applicants need to email Andrea Williams, Deputy Director, SAPRP (williamsa@ccl.org) to arrange to discuss the project idea and plan with a member of the SAPRP staff by phone. This will allow the National Program Office and the potential applicant to assess the project plan and maximize its appropriateness for this grant making mechanism. As part of this discussion, applicants can request that the NPO mail him/her a proposal preparation packet.

B. Proposal Submission and Review

Applications will consist of 4-8 double-spaced typewritten pages (plus a 1 page work plan, line item budget and budget narrative, and letter(s) of support. Guidelines for the applications will be provided by the NPO.

Each application will be reviewed using the criteria stated above by the SAPRP Program Director or Co-director, a Senior Program Consultant, and an RWJF project officer. Final decisions and recommendations to RWJF for funding will be made by the SAPRP Director.

C. Timeline

The SAPRP National Program Office will make every effort to establish a rapid turnaround for proposals for these grants. However, it is important to recognize that this timeline is subject to applicant responsiveness to requests for information, particularly during the final phase when final review of budget and Project Support Forms occurs.

• Idea discussion with NPO/ Proposal Preparation Packet mailed to applicant

• NPO Receives Proposal from Applicant - Beginning of Week 1

• Funding decision - End of Week 4

• Funding starts - End of Week 10