Section 265.30  Application Procedure

For purposes of this Subpart, the terms "proposal" and "application" shall have the same meaning.

a)         When State funding is available for grants under this Part, the State Superintendent of Education and the Executive Director of the Illinois Arts Council shall issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) in order to solicit applications from eligible entities.

b)         The RFP shall describe the format that applicants will be required to follow and the information they will be required to submit, including identification of the specific schools that will be served throughout the grant period, whether the grant will support education in the arts or in foreign language, and the rationale for these choices.

c)         The RFP shall indicate the amount or expected amount of the appropriation for the program and the expected portions to be reserved for planning and implementation grants, respectively, and shall describe the allowable expenditures and the basis for awarding grants.  The RFP shall identify any restrictions or areas of high priority that have been established for a particular program year.

d)         The RFP shall include and require completion of a budget summary and payment schedule as well as a narrative budget breakdown, i.e., a detailed explanation of each line item of expenditure.

e)         The RFP shall identify the information recipients will be required to collect and report regarding the activities conducted with grant funds and the results of those activities, as well as the timelines for reporting.

f)         The RFP shall include such certifications and assurances as the State Superintendent and the Executive Director may require.

g)         The RFP shall specify the deadline for submission of proposals, which shall provide potential applicants with at least 45 days to respond.

h)         Separate applications shall be required for renewal of implementation funding.  Each application for renewal shall include at least:

1)         a description of expenditures and activities during the year just concluded, demonstrating that the project has been implemented in conformance with the approved grant agreement and that the recipient continues to exhibit a need for grant funds for this purpose; and

2)         an updated budget summary and payment schedule for the renewal year, including a narrative budget breakdown.

i)          Incomplete proposals shall not be considered.