Approval to Pursue - Grant-Funded Projects

Step 1: Consult with Your Director/Dean (Required)

Discussion with your Director/Dean should include:

Resource Requirements:

• Mission & Vision Alignment
• Does this project require specific space or facilities?
• Will this project require hiring additional staff or faculty?
• Does this grant obligate the college to continue activities after funding ends?
• Are there any financial match requirements?
• Does this project have internal or external partners?
• Scope of project? (e.g. # of students to be served, size of award, goals and objectives)
• Any implementation obstacles?

Overall, you want to discuss with your Director/Dean about the feasibility of the implementing the project, and the departmental impact prior to submitting the Approval to Pursue (ATP) form.

 

Step 2: Submit ATP Form (Required)

The ATP formstack MUST be submitted prior to applying to any competitive grant. This section gathers the essentials so your Dean/Director can officially approve the proposal, and the Grants Office can begin evaluating the opportunity.

You will provide the following information:

• Your Contact Information: Name, job title, email, phone number, division/area, and department
• Initial Reviewers: Name and email of your department Director/Dean (for initial review) and the Director of Grants (for RFP/NOFO initial review)
• Confirmation that you have spoken with your Director/Dean prior to submitting the ATP form.
• Grant Opportunity Basics: Funding agency/entity, title of grant program, application deadline, total funding request amount, project title, and a brief project description (2–3 sentences covering what and why)
• RFP or NOFO: Upload the Request for Proposals or Notice of Funding Opportunity document, or provide a link
• Mission & Vision Alignment: Confirm whether the proposed project supports the mission and vision of El Camino College

Resource allocation information you will need to provide in the ATP form:

• Does this project require specific space or facilities?
• Will this project require hiring additional staff or faculty?
• Does this grant obligate the college to continue activities after funding ends?
• Are there any financial match requirements?
• Will this be a collaborative project?

Project description information you will need to provide:

• Project Details: Project goals, project objectives, detailed project description (methodology, expected results, etc.), estimated total project length, and estimated total project cost
• Strategic Initiative Alignment: Identify which CIP Themes and Goals (A through E) your project supports, including:
  • Provide Student Centered Learning & Experience (Goals 1–2)
  • Develop Multiple Pathways to Success (Goals 3–4)
  • Establish Innovative Community Partnerships (Goals 5–6)
  • Culture of Inclusion (Goals 7–8)
  • Environment for Transformation (Goals 9–11)
• Funding Source Details: Lead applicant/fiscal agent designation (ECC or another entity), subaward amount to ECC if applicable, maximum allowed indirect rate by the funding agency, and this application’s indirect rate and/or explanation.
• Data & Reporting: Data sources illustrating need (with option to upload supporting files), whether data collection will be required for the application (Institutional Research & Planning assistance available), and whether the project will require considerable data reporting if funded.

Project Management information you will need to provide:

• Whether the project involves community partners, proposed ECC project manager/lead (name and email), anticipated beginning and end dates, grant writing familiarity level, and whether technical writing assistance will be needed from the Grants Office

Step 3: Internal Review & Approvals (Required prior to beginning proposal/project development) (Required)

Submitters Director/Dean Approval → Director of Grants Approval → Area VP/Cabinet Approval