The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is accepting applications for a second round of INvestments Supporting Partnerships In Recovery Ecosystems (INSPIRE) Initiative grants, which will award up to $10 million to projects addressing the substance abuse crisis by creating or expanding a recovery ecosystem that will lead to workforce entry or re-entry. Interested in applying for an INSPIRE Initiative grant but unsure how to get started? This week, a panel of ARC experts participated in a Q&A webinar to answer questions from prospective applicants. Here are some key takeaways:
Q: What entities are eligible to apply?
A: Eligible applicants for ARC’s INSPIRE Initiative grants are the following: local development districts (LDDs); Indian tribes; states, counties, cities, or other political subdivision of a state; institutions of higher education; and public or private nonprofit organizations or associations.
Q: What is match and how is it determined?
A: Applicants must demonstrate a match from non-ARC sources that is both accessible and available to the project. Matching sources may be non-federal, other federal, or a combination of sources. The maximum share of ARC assistance is determined by the ARC classification of the county or counties served by the proposed activity.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Visit arc.gov/SUD – look for the “How to Apply” section for more detailed instructions. You will be directed to an application portal which will require you enter key data and upload two attachments, one is what we call the Application and the other Executive Summary. Before you apply, make sure to submit a Letter of Intent by May 17, 2021 5 pm ET. The final application deadline is June 18, 2021.
Check out our Q&A Session and other INSPIRE 2021 workshop recordings.