R357-20-3. Grant Requirements and Review Process

  (1) The STEM Action Center, in consultation with the USBE, will determine the maximum amount of the award during any application cycle.

  (2) The number of awards in each grant cycle can vary.

  (3) The STEM Action Center, in consultation with the USBE, shall determine applicant eligibility criteria during any application cycle and all criteria will be posted in the applications for that grant cycle.

  (4) The STEM Action Center, with input from the established review committee and the USBE and in accordance with statute, will determine allowed and disallowed costs during any application period and a list of all allowable and disallowed costs will be included in the application for each grant cycle.

  (5) Applicants may request funds for activities that represent a critical component of a full pathway, as long as they indicate where the activities or efforts fit into a pathway, or are envisioned to fit within a pathway.

  (6) Hardware and capital infrastructure funding requests may not exceed 10% of the total budget request. Hardware and capital infrastructure shall be defined by the grant agreement received by a successful applicant.

  (7) The STEM Action Center Board, with recommendations by the STEM AC staff and in consultation with the USBE, shall have final funding approval rights for all successful applicants.

  (8) Eligible applicants shall include Local Education Agencies and individual schools.

  (9) Fiscal agents may sub-contract with partners that are approved for funding and they shall use their organization's approved procurement procedures and policies for sub-contract awards.

  (10) The type of grants (one year versus multiple years; pilot versus scale and replication) are allowed and can vary with each application cycle and clear indications of what type of grant is and are available will be provided on the STEM Action Center's website or wherever the application is made available.

  (11) The competitive application process will include a Request for Grants solicitation, subsequent review and recommended selection for funding by an independent committee and final awards to be made by the STEM Action Center, in consultation with the USBE and with approval of the STEM Action Center Advisory Board. Awards will be administered by the STEM Action Center, using an established Grant Agreement process that has been approved by the State Procurement office.

  (12) The review committee, with the organizational representation defined in 63N-12-214, shall consist of four K-16 education representatives (with equal representation from elementary and secondary), two higher education representatives, one USBE representative, one Talent Ready Utah representative and three industry representatives. The STEM Action Center, in consultation with USBE, shall select the representatives for the review committee.