Materials and Regional Support Program

Who can Apply?
The Materials and Regional Support Program (MRSP) is part of the Safe Routes To School Program and, as such, shares its program outcomes and comprehensive nature.

MRSP was created in order to serve state, regional, and local government agencies, as well as registered 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that demonstrate an ability to meet the SRTS requirements (www.azdot.gov/saferoutes).  These entities may apply for funding for programs that benefit elementary and middle school students in grades K-8.

The intent of the program is twofold:

1. to provide funding for purchasing educational and encouragement materials for use in regional, countywide, or school district wide Safe Routes To School efforts, and/or
2. to provide funding for statewide, countywide, or school district wide workshops relating to Safe Routes To School

The applicant may apply for funding for any combination of the above.  However, the applicant MAY NOT apply for MRSP funding AND Safe Routes To School funding for the same items during the same grant cycle.

Examples of Eligible MRSP Activities (NOTE: all activities must be statewide, countywide, school district wide, or otherwise regional is scope)

• Design/implement/distribute educational curricula for the classroom
• Provide educational materials to parents, school staff, neighbors, or drivers
• Develop a Safe Routes To School media campaign
• Provide materials and/or hold training for crossing guards or law enforcement professionals
• Purchase, distribute, and fit bicycle helmets
• Purchase and distribute other Safe Routes To School-eligible giveaway items
• Provide training related to any of the above

Matching versus leveraging
No matching funds are allowed or permitted by the Safe Routes To School and Materials and Regional Support programs.  This means that the applicant is not required to pledge (nor can the program accept) any financial resources as a mandatory condition of the program.  This is a 100% federal funding program.  However, leveraging is highly encouraged – using in-kind and non-federal financial resources from sources other than the applicant.

Available funding
There is a total of $45,000 available this cycle.

Funding Request Limits
Applicants may request a maximum of $15,000.  Applicants MAY NOT apply for MRSP funding AND Safe Routes To School funding for the same items during the same grant cycle.  Applicants must expend MRSP funds within 18 months from the date of award approval.

How To Apply
Applicants must complete the application form below and mail to the Arizona Department of Transportation before the deadline.

Grant cycle
Applications available: September 2007
Applications due: December 21, 2007

Scoring
All applications for Materials and Regional Support will be judged competitively based on the content, logic, and intent of the request.

Review and Selection Process
All MRSP applications will be reviewed and scored by ADOT.  Those that are determined to be the highest priority, given funding availability, will be recommended for approval by the State Transportation Board.

Awards
Pending approval by the Board, the final announcement of selected projects is expected by March 2008.

Post-Selection Responsibilities
If your project is selected you will be required to do the following:

1. Enter into a written contract with ADOT.
2. Communicate regularly with ADOT Safe Routes To School Program coordinator.
3. Complete and mail quarterly reimbursement request forms to ADOT.
4. On a quarterly basis, complete and submit the evaluation form entitled “Project Evaluation Form – Quarterly Data” that includes the required walking/biking data and summarizes your project’s performance for that period.  In order for your quarterly reimbursements to be processed, you must submit your evaluation forms.
5. At the close of your project, submit with your final Quarterly Reimbursement Request the evaluation form entitled “Project Close-Out Evaluation Report.”
6. Use the funds in a timely manner.  Grant awards for MRSP projects will be valid for an eighteen-month period beginning at the time of the award.  If the project is not completed within this time, ADOT has the right to discontinue reimbursements to the applicant, unless the applicant can prove that sufficient progress has been made.  ADOT then may then grant the applicant a six-month extension for utilizing the funds.