COVID-19 Learning Impact Program 2022
Request for Proposals: Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Student Learning in North Carolina
Contact: collaboratory@unc.edu
The North Carolina Collaboratory, headquartered at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill), is partnering with the Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) to request research and evaluation proposals addressing the impact of COVID-19 on student learning across North Carolina as well as the effectiveness of State and local policies and programs implemented during the pandemic.
The program is supported by a $6 million appropriation from the North Carolina General Assembly to monitor, assess and address the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19 across the State. Institutions of higher learning in North Carolina will be able to request a minimum of $150,000 and a maximum of $500,000 using tiers listed in the application instructions.
Important Update
The application templates provided below have been corrected as follows:
- For the cover page, the signature of an Authorized Organizational Representative is not mandatory for UNC-Chapel Hill applicants. Instead, a department-level signature is sufficient.
Application Package
Priority Areas
The goal of this RFP is to generate information that will guide evidence-based decisions for combating the impact of lost instructional time and accelerating learning for all students affected by COVID-19.
Applications are sought in the following priority areas:
- Research: The longitudinal impact of COVID-19 on student learning in North Carolina.
- Evaluation: The effectiveness of ESSER III Fund policies/programs during the pandemic.
More information about each priority area is provided in the full application instructions.
- Application deadline: Aug. 31, 2022.
- Award announcements: On or before Oct. 1, 2022.
- Earliest project start date: Oct. 1, 2022.
- Latest project end date: Oct. 31, 2024.
- Anticipated project duration: Up to 24 months.
- Maximum funding request: Up to $500,000 per project.
- Estimated number of awards: Dependent on application budgets received.
- Who is eligible to apply?
- Any institution of higher education in North Carolina. As per NCGS 116-255(c)(1) and NCGS 116-255(b)(3), the Collaboratory encourages applications from UNC System campuses and historically minority-serving institutions, namely Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical University, North Carolina Central University, UNC Pembroke and Winston-Salem State University.
- Is this a limited submission opportunity?
- No, there are no limitations on the number of applications that may be submitted from any institution.
- Are indirect costs allowed?
- No. As set forth in NCGS 116-255(c)(2) and Section 8.12.(a) of Session Law 2021-180, requests for indirect (F&A) costs are not permitted. If written documentation is required for this indirect cost restriction, please email collaboratory@unc.edu for a copy of the relevant legislation.
- Is it OK to submit a proposal that is built on a prior/ongoing partnership?
- Yes, building on pre-existing work and partnerships is acceptable as long as the proposal fits within the priority areas specified in the RFP.
- Do you prefer qualitative or quantitative focus, or use of academic administrative data versus primary data?
- No, there is no preference for either – simply provide a clear justification for your chosen approach.
- Can a subaward be designated for an entity based outside of North Carolina?
- Yes, a subaward entity outside North Carolina can be included, but clear justification must be provided to explain their proposed role and why you have not selected an in-state entity. The prime institution must also declare their ability to ensure Uniform Guidance compliance for this subaward.
- Do you have a list of low-performing schools and districts?
- A list of low-performing schools and districts is available on the DPI website, as well as definitions for this categorization. Please note that lists for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years are still being compiled and will likely be released in October this year. For this reason, we recommend utilizing the 2018-2019 list for funding applications.