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2012 SHARE Call for Proposal Frequently Asked Questions

Does the project timeline within the Full Proposal Narrative have to be presented as a chart/table, or can it be a text description?

The project timeline within the Full Proposal Narrative can be either a chart/table or a text description. 

What is the difference between the Proposed Timeline/Workplan that is required as a separate supporting document to the online application and the project timeline that is required as a part of the Full Proposal Narrative?

The Proposed Timeline/Workplan is meant to provide a broad picture of the various activities, tactics, tasks an/dor milestones that will be necessary to meet each objective of the proposed project within to the anticipated timeframe.  The project timeline within the Full Proposal Narrative is meant to provide a more descriptive picture of the major activities and anticipated accomplishments of the proposed project, along with a discussion of potential barriers to working within the parameters of the proposed timeframe.

I am being asked by the online application system to submit audited financial statements for my organization. What should I do if I do not have audited financials?

In lieu of audited financial statements, an applicant may submit their internal financial statements for the last two years.  Once the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reviews these internal financial statements, the Financial Monitoring office will reach out to the applicant if further information is needed.

Would a literature review be eligible for consideration under the call for proposals?

Literature reviews are eligible for consideration under the CFP.  However, it's worth noting that preference will be given to empirical, data-driven studies (whether qualitative or quantitative) over thought pieces or simulations (see page 8 of the CFP).   In any case, proposals should demonstrate the topical significance of the proposed study and the rationale and appropriateness of the method proposed.

The Program Overview in the call for proposals states, "Studies addressing the ACA should examine provisions that have already been implemented or for which implementation will begin by June 1, 2012." Does this mean that I can't study ACA provisions that go into effect after June 1, 2012?

We included the June 2012 implementation requirement because we want to generate timely, relevant research.  Keep in mind that the implementation period includes the planning and preparation that happen prior to a provision's effective date.  Proposals with research questions that address conditions or activities related to a policy provision prior to its effective date, e.g., baseline measurements, would be eligible for consideration.

Does SHADAC have access to or own data on health insurance/coverage, especially for the period following the enactment of the ACA, excluding the ACS, CPS, MEPS, and NHIS?  If so, will the recipients of SHARE funding also be able to access this data?

No.  SHADAC does not have data other than what is publicly available through the federal agencies and states.

Please clarify who is included as an eligible applicant under this call for proposals. Does the application need to be headed by a state agency, a state institution, or a policy-maker? Are national research organizations, academic researchers, or independent researchers eligible as applicants?

Those eligible to apply include researchers at colleges, universities, and research or policy organizations.  The application may be, but does not have to be, headed by a state agency, state institution, or a policy-maker.

Is the February 22, 2012, the date by which the actual proposal is due, or is this the due date for a letter of intent?

The full proposal is due on February 22, 2012; we are not requiring a letter of intent.

Please explain the revise-and-resubmit portion of the timeline.

From April 2-6, 2012, applicants will be notified if revisions to their full proposals have been requested.  Any requested revisions are due by April 20, 2012.  (Please note: Revisions will not necessarily be requested for each proposal that ultimately receives funding.)

What kinds of projects does SHARE fund?

SHARE funds studies that seek to address timely health reform issues surrounding coverage and access that are specific to the state level, drawing out broader lessons that can help guide states as they plan and implement various health reform strategies.  Previously funded SHARE projects have studied, for example, the ACA’s new income definition, the expansion of dependent coverage to young adults, and the use of auto-enrollment into Medicaid.  The next round of SHARE funding will continue to support research that will guide ACA implementation and health reform, in general, in states.  SHARE will fund complex, in-depth projects with highly developed methodological approaches, as well as short-turnaround, higher-level policy analyses that have immediate policy applications.  We hope that the research findings and deliverables from these projects will provide timely, useful information for state and national policy-makers.

Where do I go to find out if my idea fits within SHARE's scope?

As a first step, take a look at our website: www.shadac.org/share.  Hopefully, reading about us, our activities and publications, and our current and past grantees will help give you a sense of the program and the research we fund.  Our Awarded Grants page is a useful resource that keeps track of the projects we have supported to date along with the deliverables produced under each project.  If you would like further assistance, please contact our staff by phone or e-mail.

Should I describe the technical support I want from SHADAC in my brief proposal?

If you anticipate needing extensive technical support from SHADAC, we recommend including a description of your anticipated needs in your proposal. If you have questions about the scope of SHADAC's technical assistance, please contact SHARE staff.

Please describe the scope of data collection allowed under "limited data collection"?

The program will support some data collection, but the proposed projects must be limited in scope or build on existing large-scale state-level data collection activities. For instance, we will consider funding add-on components to an existing health access survey or the purchase of additional sample from an existing national survey. Large-scale health access surveys will not be funded. Proposals should justify the need for all new data collection efforts in the context of existing available data.

What is required of SHARE grantees?

As a condition of accepting RWJF funds, grantees will be required to:

  • Participate in dissemination activities outlined in the proposal, which may include the development of issue briefs, participation in webinars, and inclusion in panel proposals for research conferences.
  • Comply with RWJF requirements for the submission of narrative and financial reports.
  • Submit periodic information needed for overall project performance monitoring and management.
  • Prepare and submit a Research Summary Report at the conclusion of the project that includes elements identified by the national program office.
  • Attend annual grantee meeting.

 

Is staff available for consultation before I apply for funding?

SHARE staff are available for general guidance.  We are happy to talk to prospective applicants but cannot review written documents or officially recommend or reject an idea.  We can, however, provide a sense of the questions reviewers will ask to assist you in deciding whether to prepare an application, and we can guide you to additional resources.

How does the size of grant proposal affect the application process?

The application process is the same, regardless of the length of the proposed project or the size of the grant requested.  Project funding under the current call for proposals will range from $50,000 to $200,000 to accommodate both quick-turnaround policy analyses of six to 12 months and in-depth research/evaluation studies of 12 to 24 months. 

What is your deadline for applications?

The deadline for applications is 3:00 p.m. EDT on February 22, 2012. 

Please note that all proposals must be submitted via the RWJF online system: Visit www.rwjf.org/cfp/sre and select ‘Apply Online.’  All applicants should log in to the system and familiarize themselves with online submission requirements well before the final submission deadline.  Staff may not be able to assist all applicants in the final 24 hours before the submission deadline.  In fairness to all applicants, late submissions will not be accepted.

Can I fax or e-mail a proposal?

NO FAXES, E-MAILS OR MAILED PROPOSALS WILL BE ACCEPTED. The proposal narrative and additional required documents must be submitted via the RWJF online system: Visit www.rwjf.org/cfp/sre and select ‘Apply Online.’ 

How long does the application review process take?

Notification of awards will begin on May 4, 2012.

Who will review my proposal?

Proposals will be reviewed by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation staff, SHARE staff, and a panel of outside reviewers.

How will my proposal be evaluated?

Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:

  • Qualifications and expertise of the team to perform the various operations and analytic tasks of the proposed project.  This includes the adequacy of the proposed time commitment of key project staff.
  • Evidence of the researchers’ knowledge and experience with any state(s) included in the investigation.  Evidence that identified state contacts are supportive of the project (through recommended letter of support).
  • Strength of the proposed methodology, including clearly stated research questions.
  • Quality and availability of proposed data sources.  A clear understanding of the data acquisition process and timeframe.  If state data will be used, evidence that the data acquisition plan and timeline are feasible (via letter of support).
  • Policy relevance of the proposed research and deliverables to state and national policy-makers.
  • Timeliness of the evaluation as it relates to state implementation of the ACA (if applicable).

Additional considerations:

  • Preference may be given to proposals that include junior researchers working in collaboration with senior research advisers.
  • Preference will be given to teams that secure matched funding, particularly from state-based foundations.

 

Will I receive specific comments on my proposal after a decision is made?

 

The Foundation has a longstanding policy of not providing reviews of individual proposals, so we cannot give you feedback about your proposal's particular strengths and weaknesses in its responsiveness to the CFP.

Is preference given to any particular institutions?

Preference may be given to applicants that may be either public entities or nonprofit applicant organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Will you award grants to multiple institutions?

Grants may be awarded to single institutions or agencies undertaking all components of a single project or grants may support collaborative efforts among individuals housed at multiple institutions or agencies.  When the latter is the case, grants will be made to a single institution that assumes overall responsibility for the collaborative effort.

Is there a maximum budget amount or time frame for SHARE grants?

There is no predetermined dollar amount for individual grants.  Project funding under the current call for proposals will range from $50,000 to $200,000 to accommodate both quick-turnaround policy analyses of six to 12 months and in-depth research/evaluation studies of 12 to 24 months.  The funding level for an individual proposal must be commensurate with the size and scope of the project.

Is there a specific indirect rate?

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s indirect costs rate for new grants is 12 percent.  More detail can be found at http://rwjf.org/applications/faqlist.jsp#13a.

What can grant funds be used for?

Grant funds may be used for project staff salaries, consultant fees, data collection and analysis, dataset procurement, meetings, supplies, project-related travel, and other direct expenses, including a limited amount of equipment essential to the project.  Additional in-kind or external funding is welcome and should be described in the proposal. In keeping with Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s policy, grant funds may not be used to subsidize individuals for the costs of their health care, to support clinical trials of unapproved drugs or devices, to construct or renovate facilities, for lobbying, for political activities, or as a substitute for funds currently being used to support similar activities.