General Program grant applications are normally considered three times a year. Deadlines for receipt of requests are February 1, May 1 and August 1.  Decisions are usually made four months after each deadline. 

Beginning in 2005, The Retirement Research Foundation's geographic restrictions will apply only to requests for support of direct service projects.  Such direct service requests will only be considered from applicants in seven states:  Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Florida.  Requests for support of other types of projects will be considered from applicants in any U.S. location.

Although The Retirement Research Foundation does not use a standard application form, proposals for funds should include the following elements:

1. Cover Page

Please list:

  •  Applicant organization's name, address, and phone number (including area code)

  •  Project title

  •  Project purpose

  •  Project director name, address, phone number, and email address

  •  Length of project

  •  Total cost

  •  Amount requested of RRF

2. Summary

A separate two-to-three-page statement summarizing project goals, significance, proposed methods,  and cost. 

3. Project Significance

The importance and relevance of the proposed project should be explained. Background information on the issue(s) to be addressed, existing knowledge and gaps, and the anticipated contribution of the project should be detailed. 

4. Statement of Objectives

Specific project objectives should be identified clearly, concisely, and completely. The anticipated outcomes and/or accomplishments should be defined. 

5. Description of Methodology

Proposals to the Foundation fall into four general categories —  model projects and service, advocacy for system change, education and training, and research  — and each should include the following specific elements: 

Models Projects and Service: description of program design, target audience(s), change(s) to be effected, resources and method of delivery, activity schedule and timeline to meet objectives, and evaluation criteria and methodology to evaluate project outcomes. 

Advocacy for System Change: description of strategies planned, list of partners and stakeholders to be organized, identification of decision-makers targeted, scheduling and coordination of activities, methods for outreach and dissemination, and the nature of evidence to be collected about impact.

Education and training: target group description; educational needs to be met; content, methods, sequence, and location of educational experience; and evaluation criteria and methods. 

Research: description of experimental design, procedures to accomplish objectives, sequence of the investigation, types of data to be obtained; the means by which it will be analyzed and interpreted; and ethical issues regarding the use of human subjects. 

6. Dissemination

Describe plans for disseminating project outcomes and findings. The dissemination plan should be appropriate for both the type and scope of the proposed project.  Describe projects to be disseminated and appropriate target audiences for each.

7. Budget and Timetable

A timetable and line item budget for the project should include both grant funds requested from The Retirement Research Foundation and funds available from other sources for the project. Where project personnel are engaged in other projects, the percent of time in and compensation from other projects should be identified. A narrative budget justification should accompany the budget. The foundation normally will not authorize computer purchases to conduct funded projects. The Foundation limits payment of overhead rates to a maximum of 10 percent of project costs. 

8. Plans for Continued Support

If the project is expected to operate beyond the period for which grant funds are requested, describe plans for continued support. 

9. Personnel

Include resumes or curricula vitae (each not to exceed eight pages) for project director(s) and key personnel. 

10. Applicant Organization

Detail qualifications of applicant organization to implement project. Include a brief history, accomplishments, financial reports, and an annual report.

11. Tax Exempt Status

Provide a copy of the applicant's tax exempt status under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and a copy of the IRS determination letter classifying the applicant organization "not a private foundation" under Section 509 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code. If this is not available, an explanation regarding the status of the applicant organization is needed. A statement that the 501(c)(3) classification and the "not a private foundation" status has not been revoked or modified should be included. 

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING APPLICATION SUBMISSION:

1) Requests for funding must be signed by the chief executive officer of the applicant organization.
2) The proposal and attachments must be submitted in triplicate.  Only one copy of the annual report and financials/audit are needed.

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