Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, certain applicants that do not have a current negotiated (including provisional) indirect cost rate may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs, which may be used indefinitely. As described in 2

C.F.R Part 200 § 200.403, costs must be consistently charged as either indirect or direct costs but may not be double charged or inconsistently charged as both. If chosen, this methodology, once elected, must be used consistently for all Federal awards until such time as a non-Federal entity chooses to negotiate for a rate, which the non-Federal entity may apply to do at any time. See 2 C.F.R Part 200 § 200.414(f) to determine if your entity is eligible to apply for the de minimis rate.

The R&D Activity is aimed at improving the safety, health, and well-being of firefighters throughout the nation. Most projects will need to select or sample participants in a way that is feasible for the results to be generalized nationwide for firefighters. These projects, if successful, are expected to lead to new or improved programs, policies, and products that have potential for widespread adoption and use. Exceptions may occur but the reason for the exception must be clearly explained in the application. An example of an exception may be preliminary studies or proof of concept designs. Another example may be an Early Career Investigator project that focuses on a local fire service group to develop their project due to the funding limitations of their award.

This project category is intended to promote the development of new principal investigators who wish to engage in research to improve firefighter safety, health, and well-being. This category is reserved for projects led by a principal investigator who received a Ph.D. or equivalent advanced level research degree no more than five years prior to the opening date of the application period. As the development of new research talent through mentoring is a focus of these awards, projects that are affiliated with larger ongoing fire service research efforts are encouraged.

Description of the research project as well as the mentoring plan must be included in the Narrative. Applicants should identify how the project will support the development of the principal investigator within the field of firefighter research. The applicant’s institution must be the sponsoring institution because individuals are not eligible to receive an award under this program. All proposed projects must have at least one fire service partner. These projects are limited to a maximum $200,000 federal share per project year. The mentor must provide a signed letter of support and commitment of their mentoring role along with a biosketch to include in the Appendix. Early career applicants will receive unique scoring in the science review process to include a score for the mentoring plan.

The science review of an application is a thorough and rigorous evaluation by experts knowledgeable in the research areas relevant to the proposed project. It is critical that the content of the Narrative and the Appendix fully address how the proposed research is responsive to the evaluation criteria. The Narrative must follow the order of the science panel evaluation criteria listed within the NOFO. Further guidance is offered here, per criterion:

Project goals, objectives, and specific aims: The goals, objectives or specific aims criterion provides a framework for the applicant to move from a statement of broader purpose (such as reducing toxic exposure) to providing precise, measurable, and/or behavioral details representing the plan to achieve these goals (such as increased time lapsed from suppression to overhaul). The applicant’s goals, objectives, or specific aims should drive the study design and project methods. The methods of measurement and analyses must follow the applicant’s goals, objectives, or specific aims and should lead to answers to the proposed question(s).

Literature review: The literature review demonstrates that the scientific team is knowledgeable about what has been studied in the past. Literature reviews typically identify gaps in knowledge or what is lacking or needed to advance the science to the next level. This expertise suggests the ability to do applied research in the proposed area. Importantly, the literature review makes evident how the proposed research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge in this area. Without a strong literature review, the relevance of this project will be less evident.

Project methods: Project methods describe the overall approach to the study. The methods will identify the study design, such as a randomized control trial or a large-scale fire test series design. Related information, such as how to select participants or structures, contents, and firefighting methods utilized, respectively, should be described. It is important to justify the scientific and technical rigor of the research and merit of the project. Plans to recruit and retain human subjects should be described, where applicable. Where human subjects are involved, describe plans for submission to the IRB.

Project measurements: Project measurements include the more macro and micro aspects of the research. The applicant may specify established instruments to collect data and implement the project. The applicant should discuss the data to be collected to evaluate the performance methods, technologies, and products proposed. The applicant should demonstrate the measurement methods and equipment selected for use are appropriate and sufficient to successfully deliver the proposed project objectives. A table format may be useful to handle extensive lists of measurements and portray timing. Study flow diagrams and timelines can be helpful. Sufficient information is needed to support the feasibility of the project.

Project analysis: Project analysis may include the statistical plan for determining achievement of the project aims. Quantitative and qualitative statistical methods as well as power analyses, as appropriate to the study design, are typically expected. Specify within the analysis plan what data will be analyzed, the statistical methods that will be used, the sequence of steps, and interactions, as appropriate. For example, where fire departments rather than individual firefighters are the unit of analysis then sampling, measurement strategies, and the analyses would reflect that study design. The analysis plan should specify what constitutes significant or successful results.

Dissemination and implementation: The dissemination and implementation criterion requires applicants to indicate how the results of the proposed project (if successful) would be disseminated to the fire service and scientific communities. Not only does this criterion cover dissemination of results, but also how the results might move to implementation, that is, moving from research to practice. The applicant should show how the issues for dissemination and implementation have been taken into consideration throughout the project and in development of their project product. For example, a product made available online would improve access and adoption. Also, providing the research result to relevant firefighter standards organizations to promote national adoption is a proven means to implement successful research results. The development of dissemination and implementation plans does not intend to suggest that the applicant would be responsible for all the subsequent activities.

All applications will be evaluated and scored competitively by no less than three members of a Peer Review Panel. The panel of peer reviewers is comprised of fire service representatives recommended by the Criteria Development Panel. Peer reviewers will assess the merits of each project within the application based on the evaluation elements listed in the “Narrative Evaluation Criteria” section of the FY 2021 FP&S Program NOFO. Panelists will independently score each requested activity within the application, discuss the merits and/or shortcomings of the application with his or her peers, and document the findings. A consensus is not required.

Note that Fire Departments and Interest Organizations are assigned differing weights for each scored element.

There is a total $560 million available under the FY 2021 SAFER Program, which includes $360 million appropriated as part of the FY 2021 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act (Pub. L. No. 116-260), and an additional $200 million appropriated by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2). However, the following specific funding parameters are either required by law or are the outcome of recommendations from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Criteria Development Panel:

• 10% of the funding is set aside for grants awarded to all volunteer or majority volunteer departments for hiring of firefighters.
  • If FEMA awards less than 10% of the funds available for the hiring of firefighters to volunteer and majority volunteer fire departments, it must transfer the remaining funds to provide grants for the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

• 10% of the funding is set aside for the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.
  • No more than 33% of the total amount allocated for the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters can be awarded to national, regional, state, local, territorial or federally recognized tribal organizations that represent the interests of volunteer firefighters.