|
back to top
What is the MTA Fund and why was it
established?
As part of a 1998 court settlement between U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) and 39 plaintiffs (nonprofit peace and
environmental groups around the country), DOE established a $6.25
million Citizens’ Monitoring and Technical Assessment Fund (MTA
Fund) to provide money to non-profit, non-governmental organizations
and Federally recognized tribal governments working on issues
related to the nuclear weapons complex. The Fund was established to
help those groups procure technical and scientific assistance to
perform technical and scientific reviews and analyses of
environmental management activities at DOE sites. These grants also
may support dissemination of the technical and scientific reviews
and analyses undertaken with monies from the MTA Fund, but cannot be
used for litigation, lobbying, general administrative support, or
fundraising. (See the Joint Stipulation and Proposed Order, dated
December 12, 1998, in
Natural Resources Defense Council et al.
v. Richardson et al.,
Civ No. 97-936 (SS)(AK), United States District Court for the
District of Columbia.)
The Fund represents an opportunity for citizens
groups, tribal governments, and others to conduct their own research
and monitoring of DOE environmental management activities at sites
throughout the country. The Fund also represents an opportunity to
develop new approaches for community-based research that may be
applicable to other environmental issues and problems.
back to top
Who is the MTA Fund Administrator? What is
RESOLVE’s relationship to the MTA Fund?
The administering organization for the Fund is
RESOLVE, Inc. RESOLVE is a neutral non-profit dispute resolution
organization with special expertise in the environmental arena with
offices in Washington, DC and Portland, Oregon.
Founded in 1977, RESOLVE’s mission is to mediate controversial
environmental issues and promote the effective use of conflict
resolution in public decision making. RESOLVE has experience
managing technical assistance and research funds, and bringing
groups together with technical experts to produce the highest
quality research with practical applications.
back to top
What is the role and membership of the
MTA Fund Advisory Board?
RESOLVE formed an
Advisory Board to advise RESOLVE on approaches to developing and
managing the MTA Fund, and on how the Fund should be distributed.
The Advisory Board is composed of representatives from the lead
plaintiff organizations in the lawsuit against DOE that created the
Fund, and other individuals involved in work on the nuclear weapons
complex (including tribes that are and are not Federally
recognized). Advisory Board members also assist RESOLVE in reviewing
proposals and make recommendations to RESOLVE about which proposals
to fund, but do not make funding decisions. Members of the Advisory
Board are available to assist applicants in preparing proposals.
In addition to the Advisory Board, RESOLVE seeks
input from other organizations, tribes, and individuals, including
those who believe their views may not be represented on the Advisory
Board, and potential applicants, about how the Fund should be
managed and distributed.
Under the terms of the court settlement, RESOLVE has
sole discretion and decision-making authority with respect to the
Fund. RESOLVE makes all funding decisions.
back to top
What type of projects were supported
by the MTA Fund?
Grants were given to eligible organizations and
tribal governments to retain the services of technical and
scientific experts to perform technical and scientific reviews and
analysis of environmental management activities at DOE sites. Monies
from the Fund could also be used to support the dissemination of the
technical and scientific reviews and analyses undertaken with monies
from the Fund.
One more grant is currently being offered to
summarize the MTA-fund project research and products. See (link)
Money from the Fund may not be used to
conduct litigation, lobbying, or fundraising; in addition, money
from the Fund may not be used for general organizational support.
The MTA Fund will not pay any costs to research or prepare
the proposal; these costs shall be borne by the submitter.
back to top
Who was eligible for grants
from the MTA Fund?
Grants were made only to non-profit,
non-governmental organizations (including tribal citizens’
organizations) or federally recognized tribal governments working on
issues related to the nuclear weapons complex. The Fund considered collaborative proposals from eligible organizations or
tribal governments.
back to top
How does the MTA Fund determine an
organization to be non-governmental for purposes of grant
eligibility?
The non-governmental prerequisite comes directly
from the Settlement Agreement (Section IV.B.) that established the
Citizen’s Monitoring and Technical Assessment Fund. The term is used
to define the organizations that are eligible to receive money from
the Fund. Given the purposes for which the Fund was created and may
be used, we interpret the requirement to be "non-governmental" as
follows.
A non-profit, non-governmental organization is a
non-profit organization that is not acting in fact, or was not
formed for the purpose of acting, as an agent, agency or advocate
for any local (including city or county) or state government or the
federal government.
This definition may not cover all situations in
which a non-profit organization may be considered governmental, and
the MTA Fund evaluated each situation on a case-by-case basis.
The MTA Fund is especially interested in
receiving proposals from community groups, groups that have limited
technological resources, and groups that may be disenfranchised or
disproportionately affected by environmental management activities
at DOE sites. Tribal governments and groups, organizations and
communities of color, and low-income communities and organizations
are encouraged to apply.
Priority was given to projects which involved one of the following areas:
health surveys, long-term stewardship, risk-based end states, and
uranium mining and milling.
back to top
What is the grant application
process? Where can I find more information?
To be considered for funding, applicants must follow
the instructions provided in the
MTA Fund
Summary 2006 RFP— available on the MTA Fund’s
Web site or upon request from the MTA Fund Director (telephone -
(202) 965-6217; fax - (202) 338-1264; or e-mail -
mtafund@resolv.org). The MTA Fund is providing forms and
instructions in the
Request for Proposals to simplify the process for us and for
you. As you prepare your proposal, please keep in mind the
following:
-
we are committed to awarding grants that will
genuinely help the communities they are designed to serve;
-
if you have questions, do not hesitate to contact
us; and
-
be concise, clear, and specific in your proposal.
The MTA Fund will not pay any costs to research or
prepare the proposal. These costs shall be borne by the submitter.
Proposals will not be returned to the submitter.
back to top
What are the proposal deadlines?
The deadline for submission of proposals is ???. RESOLVE will use the postmark to determine the date an
application has been submitted. Proposals postmarked after this date
will not be considered. Applicants will be notified of funding
decisions as soon as possible (generally within four months) after
the April 23, 2004, deadline.
Letters of intent and proposals will not be accepted
via fax or e-mail.
Proposals sent by fax or e-mail will not be
accepted.
back to top
How should I submit my proposal?
Please follow the proposal procedures found in the
MTA Fund
Summary 2006 RFP and be sure to use all the
included forms. Submit an original and a copy (excluding any
attachments) of the proposal by mail or delivery to:
MTA Fund
c/o RESOLVE, Inc.
Suite 275
1255 23rd Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
back to top
Can I submit my proposal by fax or
e-mail?
No. Please send two (2) printed copies of the
proposal by mail or delivery.
back to top
How should I submit the attachments?
The original should include all attachments.
However, no attachments are needed for the copy.
back to top
Is assistance available for proposal
development?
Applicants needing assistance with determining
whether to apply or developing proposals are encouraged to contact
the Fund as soon as possible. Upon request, members of the Advisory
Board or RESOLVE may provide assistance to prospective applicants,
such as:
-
identifying appropriate researchers;
-
developing research or information distribution
approaches; or
-
explaining application requirements.
back to top
Can an organization submit more than one
proposal in a funding round?
Only one proposal may be submitted by each eligible
organization or tribal government in each grant funding round.
Proposals that are not funded during a funding round may be
resubmitted in the next round. RESOLVE encourages applicants whose
proposals are not funded to discuss the proposals with RESOLVE or a
member of the Advisory Board before resubmitting them.
back to top
Who should I contact with questions
about the accounting procedures required of organizations and tribal
governments?
Upon request, RESOLVE will provide applicants with a
list of accountants and others who can provide advice about how to
comply with the relevant OMB Circular.
back to top
What do I do if my project will involve
human subjects (e.g., with surveys or interviews)?
Please refer to the
guidelines for projects involving human subjects on the MTA Web
site.
back to top
Against what criteria will proposals be
evaluated?
See the Proposal Evaluation Criteria beginning on
page 15 of the
2004 Round 6 Request for Proposals.
back to top
How can I get more information on
the relevant OMB circulars A-122 and A-87 criteria for demonstrating
organizational or tribal ability to handle and account for money?
Upon request, RESOLVE will provide applicants with
the relevant OMB Circular and a list of accountants and others who
can provide advice about how to comply with the relevant OMB
Circular.
back to top
Where can I obtain OMB Circulars A-122
and A-87?
OMB Circulars A-122 (Cost Principles for Non-Profit
Organizations) and A-87 (Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian
Tribal Governments) are available on the
MTA Web site.
back to top
How can I get additional information
on the MTA Fund and the grants application process?
For more information please contact the MTA Fund by
phone to 202.965.6212; by fax to 202.338.1264; by email at
mta-fund@resolv.org.
back to top |