As funds become available, AmeriCorps solicits application for RSVP grants from eligible organizations through a competitive process.

(a) What are the application requirements for an RSVP grant? An applicant must:

(1) Submit required information determined by AmeriCorps.

(2) Demonstrate compliance with any applicable requirements specified in the Notice of Funding Availability or Notice of Funding Opportunity.

(b) What process does AmeriCorps use to select new RSVP grantees? (1) AmeriCorps reviews and determines the merits of an application by its responsiveness to published guidelines and to the overall purpose and objectives of the program. In conducting its review during the competitive process, AmeriCorps considers the input and opinions of those serving on a peer review panel, including members with expertise in senior service and aging, and may conduct site inspections, as appropriate.

(2) The selection process includes:

(i) Determining whether an application complies with the application requirements, such as deadlines, eligibility, and programmatic requirements, including performance measurement requirements;

(ii) Applying published selection criteria, as stated in the applicable Notice of Funding Availability or Notice of Funding Opportunity, to assess the quality of the application;

(iii) Applying any applicable priorities or preferences, as stated in the applicable Notice of Funding Availability or Notice of Funding Opportunity;

(iv) Ensuring innovation and geographic, demographic, and programmatic diversity across AmeriCorps RSVP grantee portfolio; and

(v) Identifying the applications that most completely respond to the published guidelines and offer the highest probability of successfully carrying out the overall purpose and objectives of the program.

(c) How is a grant awarded? (1) Subject to the availability of funds, the award will be documented by a Notice of Grant Award (NGA).

(2) AmeriCorps and the sponsoring organization are parties to the NGA. The NGA will document the sponsor's commitment to fulfill specific programmatic objectives and financial obligations. It will document the extent of AmeriCorps' obligation to provide assistance to the sponsor.

(d) What happens if AmeriCorps rejects an application? AmeriCorps will inform an applicant when an application is not approved for funding.

(e) For what period of time does AmeriCorps award a grant? AmeriCorps awards an RSVP grant for a specified period that is usually three years in duration with an option for a grant renewal of three years, if the grantee's performance and compliance with grant terms and conditions are satisfactory. AmeriCorps will terminate funding to a grantee when AmeriCorps determines that the grant should not be renewed for an additional three year period.

(a) Is non-AmeriCorps support required? (1) An AmeriCorps grant may be awarded to fund up to 90 percent of the total project cost.

(2) A sponsor is responsible for identifying non-AmeriCorps funds which may include in-kind contributions.

(b) Under what circumstances does AmeriCorps allow less than the percentage identified in paragraph (a) of this section? AmeriCorps may allow exceptions to the local support requirement identified in paragraph (a) of this section in cases of demonstrated need such as:

(1) Initial difficulties in the development of local funding sources during the first three years of operations; or

(2) An economic downturn, the occurrence of a natural disaster, or similar events in the service area that severely restrict or reduce sources of local funding support; or

(3) The unexpected discontinuation of local support from one or more sources that a project has relied on for a period of years.

(c) May AmeriCorps restrict how a sponsor uses locally generated contributions in excess of the non-AmeriCorps support required? Whenever locally generated contributions to RSVP projects are in excess of the non-AmeriCorps funds required (10 percent of the total cost), AmeriCorps may not restrict the manner in which such contributions are expended, provided such expenditures are consistent with the provisions of the Act.

(d) Are program expenditures subject to audit? All expenditures by the grantee of Federal and Non-Federal funds, including expenditures from excess locally generated contributions, are subject to audit by AmeriCorps, its Inspector General or their authorized agents.

What rules govern a sponsor's management of grants?

(a) A sponsor shall manage a grant in accordance with:

(1) The Act;

(2) Regulations in this part;

(3) 2 CFR part 200 and 2 CFR part 2205;

(4) All applicable AmeriCorps policies; and

(5) All other applicable AmeriCorps requirements.

(b) Project support provided under a AmeriCorps grant shall be furnished at the lowest possible cost consistent with the effective operation of the project.

(c) Volunteer expense items, including transportation, meals, recognition activities and items purchased at the volunteers' own expense and which are not reimbursed, are not allowable as contributions to the non-Federal share of the budget.

(d) Costs to bring a sponsor into basic compliance with accessibility requirements for individuals with disabilities are not allowable costs.

(e) Payments to settle discrimination complaints, either through a settlement agreement or formal adjudication, are not allowable costs.

(f) Written AmeriCorps approval/concurrence is required for a change in the approved service area.