Funding Opportunity: Smart Start Program

Smart Start Program

Application in PDF | Application in Word – Revised 10/16/19: Added "Code 15: Professional Salaries" to the Budget narrative section (page 51). Questions and Answers (Eligibility-related questions only) Questions and Answers

To develop, implement, and share innovative programs that provide professional development and support to increase expertise in computer science, engineering, and/or educational technology among teachers in grades K-8.

These programs (and component activities, materials, professional development resources, etc.) will support the mission of the NYS Board of Regents, which is to ensure that every child has equitable access to the highest quality educational opportunities, services and supports in schools that provide effective instruction aligned to the state’s standards, as well as positive learning environments so that each child is prepared for success in college, career, and citizenship.

The grant period is anticipated to be five years, from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2025. A budget for Year One (7/1/20 to 6/30/21), must be submitted with this application, together with a five-year budget narrative.

Funding beyond Year Two will be contingent upon the State Legislature appropriating funds, satisfactory performance in the previous year, and timely receipt of the annual report.

Capital Projects Enacted Budget Bill (S.7504-D, A9504-D)

Public school districts and consortia of districts or district(s) and BOCES. Charter Schools, Religious and Independent Schools, Institutions of Higher Education, and 503(c) Corporations are not eligible to apply.

• New York City:
  • New York City proposals must be submitted by a Community School District (CSD), either as an individual CSD or as part of a consortium of two (2) or more CSDs. District 75 may submit either as an individual district or as part of a consortium with one (1) or more CSDs. As this grant is targeted to grades K-8, New York City High Schools are not eligible to participate.
• Big Four Districts:
  • Big Four public school districts (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers) must apply individually.
• Rest of State (ROS)
  • Rest of State (ROS) districts may apply individually if their total enrollment of all students as of the 2017-2018 school year equals or exceeds 8,000 students P-12 (excluding charter school enrollment) and they are able to meet expectations for, at minimum, a Focused grant award. See Program Scale section for more information. These districts may also participate in a consortium with one or more ROS districts. NYSED will use the FINAL District Level Data by Grade 2017-18 District Enrollment – all Students list located on NYSED’s website (included in this RFP as Appendix D) to determine district enrollment counts.
  • All ROS public school districts with total enrollment of all students P-12 as of the 2017-2018 school year below 8,000 must apply as a consortium.
  • Consortia must be able to meet the expectations for, at minimum, a Focused grant award. See Program Scale section for more information. The total enrollment of all participating districts must equal or exceed 8,000 students P-12.
  • Consortia must be organized in one of two ways:
    • A Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES)-led consortium comprised of the BOCES and two or more Districts as consortium members; or
    • District-led consortiums comprised of two or more Districts as consortium members.
  • Consortia cannot include more than one BOCES.
  • All Consortia proposals must be submitted by the Consortium Lead.
• Maximum number of proposals:
  • Each applicant (NYC CSD or consortium, Big 4 district, or ROS district or consortium) may submit one (1) application.
• Participation in proposals
  • Each New York City Community School District may participate in one (1) application either individually or as part of a consortium with other Community School Districts. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure that the district is only included in one (1) application total, not one (1) individual and one (1) consortium.
  • Each Big Four District may submit one (1) application. The Big 4 Districts may not participate in a consortium.
  • ROS Districts with 8,000 or more students may participate in one (1) application either individually or as part of a consortium with other districts and/or a BOCES. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure that the district is only included in one (1) application total.
  • ROS Districts with fewer than 8,000 students must participate as part of a consortium with other districts and/or a BOCES. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure that the district is only included in one (1) application total.
  • BOCES may submit one (1) proposal as the Lead of a Consortium of at least two (2) districts.
• Preference, in the form of bonus points, shall be given to proposals that include one or more Districts that are identified as High Needs. Please see the Preference Section for more information.

$6,000,000 will be allocated annually.

Funding after Year Two is contingent upon the State Legislature appropriating funds, satisfactory performance in the previous year, and timely receipt of the annual report.

Please see the Funding and Awards Section of this RFP for additional information.

Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) Participation Goals Pursuant to Article 15-A of the New York State Executive Law for this grant is thirty percent (30%) of each applicant’s total discretionary non-personal service budget each year of the grant. See the M/WBE Participation Goals section and Appendix G for further information and forms for completion.

Applicants must submit one electronic copy of the completed application as an attachment in Microsoft Word to SmartStart@nysed.gov by November 19, 2019.

Applicants must also submit one (1) original copy on paper and three (3) paper copies of the full application, postmarked by November 19, 2019, to:

New York State Education Department Office of Educational Design & Technology 89 Washington Avenue Room 880 EBA Albany, NY 12234 Attn:  Mary Ann Valikonis

Applications must be postmarked by: November 19, 2019	Anticipated Preliminary Award Notification: Winter 2020	Anticipated Project Period: 7/1/20 to 6/30/25

All questions must be submitted by email to smartstart@nysed.gov by close of business, October 8, 2019. A complete list of all Questions and Answers will be posted here no later than close of business, October 22, 2019.

September 25^th Informational Webinar Resources:

A live webinar will be held on September 25, 2019 from 9:30am until 11:30am that will provide programmatic information for applicants. Applicants are strongly urged to attend. Here are directions on how to join the webinar:

• On September 25th, join the live webinar here. The audio portion can be accessed at 844-633-8697 using code 803 358 049.
• No registration is required. 

If attendance is not possible, applicants are strongly encouraged to watch the recording of the webinar, which will be posted here 2 business days following the live webinar.

NYSED strongly encourages all prospective applicants to submit an NOI to ensure a timely and thorough review and rating process. The notice of intent is a simple email notice stating your organization’s (use the legal name) intent to apply for this grant. Please send the NOI to smartstart@nysed.gov by November 5, 2019.

Program Matters	Fiscal Matters	M/WBE Matters
Mary Ann Valikonis	Jessica Hartjen	Aimee Lang

Application in PDF | Application in Word – Revised 10/16/19: Added "Code 15: Professional Salaries" to the Budget narrative section. Questions and Answers (Eligibility-related questions only) – Posted 10/10/19 Questions and Answers