This RFP is focused on researchers and partners outside of the University of California System.
Awards will range from $50,000 to $200,000, with March 7 deadline
For reference, the announcement blog post is linked here: https://aapidata.com/blog/rfp-2/
There are 2 parallel application processes depending on funding levels:
For Applications $99,000 or less: Submit proposals to AAPIdata@ucr.edu
For Applications $100,000 to $200,000: Submit proposals through https://calusource.net/for-suppliers/ . Register as a Supplier in CalUsource and search for the RFP entitled “UCR-RFP-FY2023-2998-GP410-DQ AA and NHPI Research Services” on the Public Bid Site.
Link to Recorded Webinar
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FAQs
1. What are the requirements for the cover sheet and budget template?
Templates for the cover sheet and budget template are available here:
2. What kinds of work would be considered for larger grants closer to the $200,000 level?
We are open to all proposals, but keep in mind that all the work must be completed by November 30, 2023. The work/study must include a strong policy implication and policy impact component. The budget must be realistic about the amount of work achievable in the allotted timeframe.
3. Are there additional guidelines regarding the scope of the project, or submission of the proposal and budget? For example, must all budget items be related to the required deliverables or is there room for other deliverables (e.g. media campaign)?
All budget items must relate to the three deliverables: the preliminary policy brief, the final policy memo, and the working paper.
4. Is the RFP looking for geographic diversity or ethnic group diversity in the proposals being evaluated?
Key criteria are the methods and validity of the claims being made by proposals and the issues covered should be relevant to the policy needs of the diverse AA and NHPI communities of California.
5. Are there examples of previous RFPs?
The previous RPF for UC-based researchers is available at: https://aapidata.com/blog/uc-rfp/
We cannot share examples of previously submitted proposals as they are proprietary to the submitting organizations.
6. When must all funds be expended?
All funds must be expended by November 30, 2023.
7. Does budget and budget justification count towards the page limit?
No, the budget, budget justification, and references will not count toward the page limit.
8. Is work that is already underway eligible?
Research projects that are underway are eligible, but the proposal must be around additional work tied to the research project. The work proposed under this RFP must add value to the project and be towards meeting specific deliverables under this contract that are not attributable to other funding sources.
9. Is regranting/subcontracting and stipends allowed?
Yes, subcontracting is allowed and encouraged. As the vehicle for these funds will be a contract, subcontracting will be the principal transfer mechanism to partners.
10. Would it be acceptable to include a general subgranting plan in the proposal and then determine later who the specific community partners will be?
Yes, community partners can be determined at a later date. The proposal should include the amount for partners in the proposed budget, project tasks or responsibilities expected for partners, an approximate number of partners to be determined, and criteria for how partners will be chosen.
11. Would expenses to pay for an outside IRB be permissible?
Yes, the proposal can include the expense of outside IRB services for the research project to meet the requirement for IRB approval.
12. May state funds be used for reimbursement of travel to contractors?
Yes. But not for travel expenses to or within the prohibited state if such travel reimbursement is not covered in a contract entered into prior to January 1, 2017. Reimbursement for travel from the prohibited state may be reimbursed in all instances. Travel from a prohibited state, including the return flight back, shall be construed as travel “to” the original destination.
More information CA State Funding Travel Restrictions: https://www.ucop.edu/central-travel-management/resources/ab-1887-travel-prohibition-to-certain-states-using-state-funding-source%E2%80%8B.html
13. Do you want proposals that anticipate policy challenges and solutions for the brief?
For the first brief due in early May, there are likely items in your proposal that should be incorporated into the brief. For example, who are the populations being studied, what is the nature of the problem, why is this problem important to study, a brief description of the study, and what some of the early findings seem to suggest, if any are available. The briefing papers and the final policy memo should provide stronger guidance for decision-makers at the state level and at the local level by addressing what existing policies are, what existing practices and programs are, and how existing resources flow and proposing changes to those policies, practices, programs, and resources are needed to address the problem.
14. Are there guidelines or examples to help those less familiar with writing policy briefs?
The preliminary policy brief should state the nature of the issue, the populations affected, why the issue is important, what is already known on the topic, and how the research advances the understanding of the issue and informs policies, programs, practices, and resource allocations. The brief may contain data visualizations if there are data available. The brief and the final policy memo should be written with policy decision makers in mind. These could be staff of government agencies at the state level and local level, elected officials, and philanthropy.
15. Is there an expectation of certain types of journals that respondents to the RFP should submit the working paper?
The only requirement for this funding is the submission of a working paper. The working paper will be made available to the general public on the AAPI Data website. The choice of journal submission is up to the respondent. Arrangements will be made to allow AAPI Data to develop derivative products such as blog posts, social media, and issue-focused one-pagers to help advocates push for change.
16. What are the requirements for publicly accessible data for research done for this project? Producing publicly accessible data within the nine-month time frame is tight.
The RFP only requires three deliverables: the initial policy brief in May, the final policy memo, and the working paper by November 30, 2023. Having any data available in a publicly available format is not a requirement for this proposal but is welcomed and can be made available at a later date.
17. Is there a data crosswalk or codebook where we can explore research question possibilities prior to application?
No, we are not requiring that respondents use any of our data for their research.
18. Are secondary data analyses permitted?
Yes, secondary data analysis is allowable, but must original analysis, not just a literature review. A meta-analysis of multiple studies is permitted if the analysis results in actionable policy recommendations.
19. When it comes to methods, is community participatory research a requirement?
We are open to all methodologies. We are encouraging community engagement in your research, across a whole spectrum from advisory roles to partnerships. Community participatory research is not a required approach, but we are open to it. Community partners can include government agencies or philanthropy.
20. “Awardees are expected to grant the University of California and the AAPI Data project the right to publish the project deliverables, and to disseminate findings from the project deliverables, with attribution to authors.” Could you share more about this and what should the awardees expect?
The awardee will retain ownership of the research and deliverables. AAPI Data through the University of California will have the rights to publish and disseminate the findings from the project deliverables, with attribution to the authors, primarily to share the findings with the community, policymakers, elected officials and other stakeholders. The goal is to maximize the impact of the research generated from these projects and ensure that the research remains easily accessible. We also want to avoid having to reach out each time the research is referenced.
21. Would a study that focuses on a multiracial issue where a substantial portion but not all (a third) of participants are AAPI?
Yes, this type of research is eligible if the comparisons of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders figure prominently in the findings and among comparisons to the total state population and other race and ethnic groups studied.
22. Are we allowed to bring aboard researchers from the University of California System as part of the research team?
For this specific RFP, the principal investigator should not be affiliated with the UC System due to the way that funding will be distributed. The principal investigator will be responsible for making the financial and contractual arrangements with their own research team. However, researchers from the UC System can be part of the research team as subcontractors.
23. Can investigators be a part of more than 1 application? For example, could an investigator be PI on one proposal and Co-PI or subcontracted collaborator on another separate proposal?
Investigators may be part of one or more applications. However, one of the main criteria for evaluating proposals will be to assess whether the applicants can realistically accomplish their proposed research within the proposed budget, timeframe, and staffing. Those investigators on multiple applications will likely be evaluated on whether they have the capacity to complete work for multiple projects.
24. Will proposals initiated by graduate students rather than faculty member be accepted?
The selection process is highly competitive and timeline for completion of the project is tight. We will be evaluating proposals based on previous experience, expertise, and track record for completing projects.
25. Are researchers based outside of California eligible to apply if the project proposed primarily works with Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, or Pacific Islanders in California?
The researchers may be based anywhere as long as the project deliverables are focused on providing research and policy recommendations for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, or Pacific Islanders in California. Proposals will be evaluated for those deliverables.
26. What was the background of this funding effort focused on AA and NHPI research?
The source of funding is the AAPI Equity Budget, which was passed a year and a half ago through the collective effort of the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, the California Commission on API Affairs (CAPIAA), and a broad and deep coalition, including the Nail Salon Collaborative, the Stop AAPI Hate Collaborative, as well as other organizations, in the wake of the Atlanta killings. A total of over one hundred and sixty million dollars was allocated for AA and NHPI communities. Most of the funding has been allocated through the California Department of Social Services.
In terms of grants for organizations, the AAPI Equity Budget allocated to 10 million dollars to Stop AAPI Hate for anti-Asian hate research and programming and 10 million dollars was allocated to AAPI Data to build social science research and policy capacity for AA and NHPI communities. AAPI Data had a first wave of research funding with UCLA’s California Health Interview Survey team, to re-analyze existing data and to field new questions through the CHIS that will result in a report in February 2023. There is another RFP to build a scientific and representative survey panel of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in California with in-language support. This RFP seeks to build and support a robust ecosystem of social science researchers in the State of California.
27. Will there be an opportunity for the awardees to get together across institutions?
An AAPI Policy Multicampus Research Program is currently dormant (aapi-mrp.org), funded over a decade ago by UCOP, but did not receive additional funding. There’s an opportunity here to revive the MRP.
Reminder of Key Dates:
Release Date: February 15, 2023
Webinar Date: February 22, 2023, at noon PT (view recording at link above)
Submission Deadline: Tuesday, March 7, 2023, 6 pm PT
Notification Date: March 17, 2023
Anticipated Start Date: April 3, 2023
Preliminary Policy Report: May 3, 2023
Anticipated Final Deliverables Deadline: November 30, 2023