The Implementation Grant RFP

On June 19, 2006, the Illinois State Board of Education issued the RFP soliciting programs for consortia to establish and support full Grow Your Own Teachers projects around the state. Proposals were accepted through March 1, 2007 The first page of the RFP estimates that there was $2,250,000 available for these projects, with funds to be spent before July 1, 2007. Because we assume that a new RFP will be issued for FY08 projects when the appropriation is settled, Grow Your Own Illinois is continuing to provide support on this topic.

Here are some quick highlights of the RFP:

• While the specific funding request can only cover activities in the coming fiscal year, the RFP asked for information covering the entire period that candidates will be in training - and about how they will be supported for the first two years after completing the program.
• Budget information is also requested for the entire grant period.
• Grant writers will note that there is limit of 10 pages for a fairly complex narrative.

One of the primary tasks of Grow Your Own Illinois is to provide assistance to any eligible consortium that is seeking such a grant. We're working to provide a variety of resources for those of you who are planning projects and developing proposals. On this site, you will find a commentary on the task of developing project narratives under this program, and a sample worksheet that can be used to generate projections of requirements under the forgivable loan provision.

Beyond that, GYO-Illinois can respond to specific questions, if you email implementation@growyourownteachers.org. If we can answer them, we'll reply within two working days. If they are questions that only ISBE can answer, we will submit a formal request for clarifications and publish the responses here and via email.