How do we apply?
An electronic Letter of Intent which includes a brief proposal is due December 4, 2006. After review by Hartford staff and an Advisory Committee, selected institutions will be invited to submit a full proposal by March 30, 2007. After review of the full proposal, selected applicants will receive a site visit. New Centers will be notified on December 11, 2007.

How do I know if my institution is eligible?
If it is a public or private institution, part of a college or university, and located within the United States.

What specific criteria will ensure that our proposal is strong?
Proposals must demonstrate the institution’s capacity to increase the number of high quality geriatric nursing faculty in order to ultimately prepare all nurses to care for our nation’s rapidly increasing aging population. The proposal must go beyond what currently exists in this area. Preference will be given to institutions that articulate creative strategies to achieve this goal, complete with an explicit plan for sustainability and a strong funding match. New partnerships are favorable as are proposed Centers located in areas of need.

Are master’s-level programs acceptable?
Yes. As long as there is evidence the program will train a significant number of master’s level nurses committed to long-term careers in academic geriatric nursing.

What about DNP programs?
Yes. DNP programs will be considered as long as there is evidence the program will train a significant number of DNPs who will be committed to long-term careers in academic geriatric nursing.

I am from a small, rural college in the South. Could we be considered for this program?
The Hartford Foundation wants to extend this opportunity to as many diverse institutions as possible. As long as your institution fits the criteria above, you are encouraged to apply.

What is the maximum grant amount and what is the grant period?
The maximum grant amount to be awarded is $1,000,000 over a five-year period.

Is there a matching funds requirement for this program?
Yes. To be considered, applications must demonstrate a 50% match ($500,000 over five years) to the award, which may be obtained from any combination of other funding sources (e.g., the school of nursing, regional foundations, health systems) in order to inspire new partnerships and contribute to the long-term viability of the Center.

How many grants will be awarded?
Up to five new Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence will be funded.

Can we fax or e-mail the Letter of Intent?
No. Letters of Intent, due December 4, 2006, will only be accepted online. To complete the standardized form and submission process, please visit www.jhartfound.org/cgne_cfp

Will there be site visits?
After Letters of Intent have been reviewed by Hartford staff and an Advisory Committee, selected institutions will be invited to submit a full proposal by March 30, 2007. Then, after review of the full proposal, selected applicants will receive a site visit.

Whom do we contact for questions?
For questions related to the Centers of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, please contact Rachael A. Watman, Program Officer, at rachael.watman@jhartfound.org.

When will decisions be made about funding?
New Centers will be notified on December 11, 2007.

Do I need to submit a budget?
A budget does not need to be submitted with the Letter of Intent, however, an explanation of the source of matching funds must be provided. A full budget with justification will be required of applicants who are invited to submit a full proposal.

How can grant funds be spent?
It is expected that Center funding will allow for new or expanded activities designed to prepare expert geriatric nursing faculty committed to long-term careers in teaching. Institutions are challenged to define and build upon their unique strengths to create or strengthen programs in geriatric nursing within master’s and doctoral level programs. The approach is intentionally not proscriptive and out-of-the-box thinking is encouraged, such as virtual centers, consortia or academic partnerships such as those with community colleges, the retraining of existing faculty, or Web-based distance learning programs to reach underserved and rural areas. Funding existing geriatric nursing programs without demonstrating an increase in faculty production beyond what currently exists will not be considered adequate for a Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence application.

What is the allowable rate for indirect costs?
Ten percent indirect costs are permitted by the Hartford Foundation. The total grant amount of $1,000,000 includes the 10% indirect costs permitted.

Can in-kind support be used as a match?
Yes, in-kind support can be used as a match. However, indirect costs will not be considered as
a contribution to the match.

When will we be notified if we have been awarded a grant? When will these grants be awarded?
Funded Centers will be notified December 11, 2007. The anticipated start date for funded projects is January 1, 2008.

What is required of grantees once they are funded?
Six-month progress reports and expenditure reports will be submitted to the Foundation. Foundation staff will conduct annual site visits to monitor progress. An external consultant will be retained in the first and final year of the project to offer expert guidance.

Who will review Letters of Intent and proposals?
Members of a national Advisory Committee and Hartford Foundation staff will screen the Letters of Intent and select those invited to submit a full proposal. The Advisory Committee and Foundation staff will review full proposals. Afterward, projects under consideration will receive a site visit with a consultant and Foundation staff.