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Request for Proposals (County Partnership Required)

Opportunity Open
Application Deadline: Dec. 2, 2024

Contact: collaboratory@unc.edu

The Collaboratory is requesting applications from institutions of higher education within North Carolina that can work with counties to examine a problem of practice related to foster and kinship parent recruitment and retention.

Awards will encompass a two-month planning process with county partners. During that time, researchers will be expected to identify a problem of practice and co-create an appropriate study design with county partners. This planning process will be followed by a 10 to 12-month study to examine this problem of practice in depth and identify potential interventions for counties to test in a future Phase II initiative.

Initial budget requests for the planning activities should not exceed $10,000. Budgets for research activities will be developed during the performance period with further guidance from the Collaboratory after the completion of planning activities. Total awards for planning and research activities are expected to be approximately $100,000 in direct costs.

Application Package

  • Application deadline: December 2, 2024
  • Earliest project start date: January 1, 2025 (subject to change based on County availability)
  • Anticipated project duration: Two months for planning activities, followed by ten months for research activities
  • Maximum funding request: $10,000 for initial planning activities, followed by subsequent funding (guidance to be provided by the Collaboratory during the performance period)
Who is eligible to apply?
Any institution of higher education within North Carolina.
Is this a limited submission opportunity?
No, there are no limitations on the number of applications that may be submitted from any eligible institution.
Are indirect costs allowed?
No. As set forth in NCGS 116-255(c)(2), requests for indirect (F&A) costs are not permitted. If written documentation is required for this indirect cost restriction, please email  collaboratory@unc.edu.
Is an Authorized Organizational Representative signature required for submission?
For UNC-Chapel Hill proposals only, an Authorized Organizational Representative signature is not mandatory because this is considered an internal award – instead, a department-level signature is sufficient. Non-UNC-Chapel Hill applicants should follow their institution’s standard policies and procedures for signature requirements.
Are pre-existing partnerships with counties required?
No, because this initiative aims to launch new research partnerships with specific counties. However, applicants with pre-existing partnerships with counties who are interested in taking part in this program may include them as additional partners within their application.